The Shield of Faith: Deflecting the Enemy's Attacks

By New Prophets Gods Chosen | May 31, 2024
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The Shield of Faith

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) - "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

Introduction: Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we continue our journey through the Armor of God as outlined in Ephesians 6. Our focus is on the Shield of Faith, an essential piece of spiritual armor that protects us from the enemy's attacks. The shield symbolizes our trust in God and our reliance on His strength.

1. The Roman Shield: The Roman shield, or scutum, was a large, rectangular shield made of wood, covered with leather, and reinforced with metal. It was designed to provide maximum protection, covering the soldier from head to toe. In battle, soldiers would use their shields to form a wall, providing collective defense. This imagery helps us understand the comprehensive protection offered by the Shield of Faith.

2. The Shield of Faith: Faith, in this context, is our absolute trust in God and His promises. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Shield of Faith is not just about belief; it is about trust and confidence in God's power and His word. It is this trust that deflects the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and temptation that the enemy hurls at us.

3. Quenching the Fiery Darts: The enemy's fiery darts come in many forms: lies, temptations, doubts, and fears. These are designed to weaken our faith and lead us away from God's truth. However, when we hold up the Shield of Faith, we can extinguish these attacks. 1 John 5:4 (KJV) says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." Our faith in God is our defense against every scheme of the enemy.

4. Faith in Action: The Shield of Faith is not a passive tool. It requires us to actively trust in God daily. This means seeking His guidance, relying on His promises, and standing firm in His word. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) instructs us, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Faith in action is about living out our trust in God in every aspect of our lives.

5. Collective Faith: Just as Roman soldiers would use their shields together to form a protective barrier, we too are called to support one another in faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV) encourages us, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Our collective faith strengthens us and provides mutual protection against the enemy.

Conclusion: The Shield of Faith is a powerful and vital part of our spiritual armor. It protects us from the enemy's attacks and enables us to stand firm in our trust in God. As we hold up our shield, let us remember that our faith is our victory. Let us actively trust in God's promises, support one another in faith, and remain steadfast in our walk with Him.

Let us pray.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Shield of Faith that protects us from the enemy's attacks. Strengthen our faith, O Lord, and help us to trust in Your promises daily. Teach us to rely on Your word and to stand firm in our belief in You. May our faith be a testimony to others, and may we support one another in our spiritual journey. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.