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The Shield of Faith
The Shield of Faith
Series: Suited Up - The Armor of God (Week 5 of 7)
Scripture: Ephesians 6:16
Summary
When Paul describes the armor of God, he says "above all, taking the shield of faith." That phrase alone tells us how critical this piece of armor is—it's our primary defense in spiritual warfare.
In Roman warfare, soldiers carried large rectangular shields (scutum)—about 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, made of wood covered with leather. This shield protected the soldier's entire body and could interlock with other shields to form a defensive wall. Most critically, when soaked in water, it could extinguish flaming arrows that enemies would shoot to create panic and break battle lines.
That's the picture Paul gives us. The enemy shoots fiery darts—attacks designed to ignite fear, doubt, and destruction. But the shield of faith, when properly used, extinguishes every single one.
Key Points:
1. Faith Is Active Trust in God's Character and Promises
Faith is not positive thinking, "believing hard enough," or blind optimism. Biblical faith is active trust in God's character and promises based on what He has revealed in His Word.
Hebrews 11:1 defines it: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith has substance and evidence—it's not vague spirituality but confident trust in a God who has proven Himself faithful.
The key distinction:
Faith is only as strong as its object. You can have great faith in a weak foundation and still fall. Or you can have small faith in a strong foundation and stand firm. It's not the size of your faith that matters—it's the size of your God.
Jesus said even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Why? Because even tiny faith in an infinite God is powerful.
What does faith trust?
When attacks come, you don't lift the shield by "believing harder." You lift it by actively trusting what you know to be true about God.
2. The Enemy's Fiery Darts Are Designed to Destroy Your Faith
In ancient warfare, fiery darts were devastating weapons. Archers would wrap arrow tips in cloth, soak them in pitch or oil, light them on fire, and shoot them at enemy forces. These arrows weren't just designed to injure—they were designed to ignite, spread panic, and create chaos.
That's exactly how Satan's attacks work. He shoots multiple fiery darts designed to ignite fear, doubt, and spiritual destruction.
What are these fiery darts? Specific examples:
Doubt - "Did God really say that? Can you trust His promises? Where is He now?"
Temptation - "You can't resist this. You've failed before. Just give in."
Accusation - "You're not really saved. Look at your sin. God couldn't accept you."
Discouragement - "Nothing's working. God doesn't hear your prayers. Give up."
Fear - "You're going to lose everything. This situation is hopeless."
Comparison - "Everyone else has it better. God must not care about you."
Bitterness - "You have every right to be angry. They don't deserve forgiveness."
Notice the pattern: Every fiery dart is designed to make you question God's character or doubt His promises. Satan's goal isn't just to make you sin—it's to destroy your faith. If he can get you to stop trusting God, everything else crumbles.
Here's what makes these darts "fiery"—they don't just hit you; they ignite ongoing damage. One moment of doubt can spiral into days of spiritual paralysis. One temptation can become a consuming pattern. One accusation can create crushing guilt that destroys your effectiveness.
But the good news: The shield of faith doesn't just deflect these darts—it extinguishes them.
How faith extinguishes specific darts:
You extinguish the fiery dart by lifting the shield—actively trusting a specific truth about God.
3. You Must Actively Lift the Shield to Extinguish the Darts
Many Christians have the shield but don't lift it. Paul says "taking the shield of faith"—that's active. You must pick it up, position it, and use it.
Faith isn't passive. It's not "Well, I believe God exists, so I'm covered." It's active trust that responds to specific attacks with specific truths about God.
What actively lifting the shield looks like:
Step 1: RECOGNIZE THE ATTACK
You can't defend against an attack you don't see coming. When thoughts of doubt, temptation, accusation, or fear hit—recognize them as spiritual attacks, not just random thoughts. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee." You can't resist what you don't recognize.
Step 2: RESPOND WITH TRUTH
This is where you lift the shield. Immediately respond with specific biblical truth about God. Don't argue with the dart or trust your feelings. Lift the shield—speak God's truth. Jesus modeled this in Matthew 4: "It is written..." Three attacks, three responses from Scripture.
Step 3: REPEAT AS NECESSARY
The enemy doesn't shoot just once. He keeps firing. So you keep lifting the shield. Every time an attack comes, respond with faith—active trust in God's character and promises. Sometimes you'll lift the shield multiple times in one day. That's not weak faith—that's what warfare looks like.
Practical example:
You're struggling with financial fear. The enemy shoots: "You're going to lose everything. God isn't going to provide."
Lift the shield: "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). I choose to trust His faithfulness over my fear.
The dart comes again: "But look at your bank account."
Lift the shield again: "God has never failed me. He fed Israel in the wilderness. He will provide for me. I trust His character, not my circumstances."
As you repeatedly lift the shield of faith, the fiery dart is extinguished. The fear loses its power. Not because you "believed harder," but because you actively trusted specific truths about God.
The Bottom Line: The shield of faith is your primary defense because it protects against the enemy's primary attack—destroying your trust in God. Faith is active trust in God's character and promises. The enemy shoots fiery darts designed to ignite doubt and fear. You must lift the shield actively by recognizing attacks, responding with truth, and repeating as necessary. Above all, take the shield of faith—it will extinguish every fiery dart the enemy shoots at you.
Next in Series:
Week 6 - "The Helmet of Salvation" (Ephesians 6:17a)
How salvation protects your mind and thoughts.
View all episodes
By Plymouth Church of ChristThe Shield of Faith
Series: Suited Up - The Armor of God (Week 5 of 7)
Scripture: Ephesians 6:16
Summary
When Paul describes the armor of God, he says "above all, taking the shield of faith." That phrase alone tells us how critical this piece of armor is—it's our primary defense in spiritual warfare.
In Roman warfare, soldiers carried large rectangular shields (scutum)—about 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, made of wood covered with leather. This shield protected the soldier's entire body and could interlock with other shields to form a defensive wall. Most critically, when soaked in water, it could extinguish flaming arrows that enemies would shoot to create panic and break battle lines.
That's the picture Paul gives us. The enemy shoots fiery darts—attacks designed to ignite fear, doubt, and destruction. But the shield of faith, when properly used, extinguishes every single one.
Key Points:
1. Faith Is Active Trust in God's Character and Promises
Faith is not positive thinking, "believing hard enough," or blind optimism. Biblical faith is active trust in God's character and promises based on what He has revealed in His Word.
Hebrews 11:1 defines it: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith has substance and evidence—it's not vague spirituality but confident trust in a God who has proven Himself faithful.
The key distinction:
Faith is only as strong as its object. You can have great faith in a weak foundation and still fall. Or you can have small faith in a strong foundation and stand firm. It's not the size of your faith that matters—it's the size of your God.
Jesus said even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Why? Because even tiny faith in an infinite God is powerful.
What does faith trust?
When attacks come, you don't lift the shield by "believing harder." You lift it by actively trusting what you know to be true about God.
2. The Enemy's Fiery Darts Are Designed to Destroy Your Faith
In ancient warfare, fiery darts were devastating weapons. Archers would wrap arrow tips in cloth, soak them in pitch or oil, light them on fire, and shoot them at enemy forces. These arrows weren't just designed to injure—they were designed to ignite, spread panic, and create chaos.
That's exactly how Satan's attacks work. He shoots multiple fiery darts designed to ignite fear, doubt, and spiritual destruction.
What are these fiery darts? Specific examples:
Doubt - "Did God really say that? Can you trust His promises? Where is He now?"
Temptation - "You can't resist this. You've failed before. Just give in."
Accusation - "You're not really saved. Look at your sin. God couldn't accept you."
Discouragement - "Nothing's working. God doesn't hear your prayers. Give up."
Fear - "You're going to lose everything. This situation is hopeless."
Comparison - "Everyone else has it better. God must not care about you."
Bitterness - "You have every right to be angry. They don't deserve forgiveness."
Notice the pattern: Every fiery dart is designed to make you question God's character or doubt His promises. Satan's goal isn't just to make you sin—it's to destroy your faith. If he can get you to stop trusting God, everything else crumbles.
Here's what makes these darts "fiery"—they don't just hit you; they ignite ongoing damage. One moment of doubt can spiral into days of spiritual paralysis. One temptation can become a consuming pattern. One accusation can create crushing guilt that destroys your effectiveness.
But the good news: The shield of faith doesn't just deflect these darts—it extinguishes them.
How faith extinguishes specific darts:
You extinguish the fiery dart by lifting the shield—actively trusting a specific truth about God.
3. You Must Actively Lift the Shield to Extinguish the Darts
Many Christians have the shield but don't lift it. Paul says "taking the shield of faith"—that's active. You must pick it up, position it, and use it.
Faith isn't passive. It's not "Well, I believe God exists, so I'm covered." It's active trust that responds to specific attacks with specific truths about God.
What actively lifting the shield looks like:
Step 1: RECOGNIZE THE ATTACK
You can't defend against an attack you don't see coming. When thoughts of doubt, temptation, accusation, or fear hit—recognize them as spiritual attacks, not just random thoughts. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee." You can't resist what you don't recognize.
Step 2: RESPOND WITH TRUTH
This is where you lift the shield. Immediately respond with specific biblical truth about God. Don't argue with the dart or trust your feelings. Lift the shield—speak God's truth. Jesus modeled this in Matthew 4: "It is written..." Three attacks, three responses from Scripture.
Step 3: REPEAT AS NECESSARY
The enemy doesn't shoot just once. He keeps firing. So you keep lifting the shield. Every time an attack comes, respond with faith—active trust in God's character and promises. Sometimes you'll lift the shield multiple times in one day. That's not weak faith—that's what warfare looks like.
Practical example:
You're struggling with financial fear. The enemy shoots: "You're going to lose everything. God isn't going to provide."
Lift the shield: "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). I choose to trust His faithfulness over my fear.
The dart comes again: "But look at your bank account."
Lift the shield again: "God has never failed me. He fed Israel in the wilderness. He will provide for me. I trust His character, not my circumstances."
As you repeatedly lift the shield of faith, the fiery dart is extinguished. The fear loses its power. Not because you "believed harder," but because you actively trusted specific truths about God.
The Bottom Line: The shield of faith is your primary defense because it protects against the enemy's primary attack—destroying your trust in God. Faith is active trust in God's character and promises. The enemy shoots fiery darts designed to ignite doubt and fear. You must lift the shield actively by recognizing attacks, responding with truth, and repeating as necessary. Above all, take the shield of faith—it will extinguish every fiery dart the enemy shoots at you.
Next in Series:
Week 6 - "The Helmet of Salvation" (Ephesians 6:17a)
How salvation protects your mind and thoughts.