“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16 – NKJV)
Believers in Christ must take up, put on, and use the whole armor of God to appropriate, enforce, demonstrate, or manifest the victory that Jesus Christ has won and given to them through His death and resurrection.
Therefore, the Scripture commands you to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11 NKJV).
In this piece, we shall examine another piece of the armor of God presented to us in Ephesians 6:13-17, the Shield of Faith.
Ephesians 6:16 – NKJV
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
The Roman soldier’s shield was made of six layers of thick animal hide or skin specially tanned and woven together, making them as tough and durable as metal yet relatively lightweight. The leather shields are often soaked in water before battle so that the enemy’s flaming arrows would be extinguished on impact.
The large rectangular shield carried by the Roman soldiers in Greek was named “a door” because it looked like the soldier was carrying a full-size leather-covered door behind which he could safely stand. The soldier uses the shield to deflect attacks from whatever direction they come.
The believer’s tough, strong, durable, and large shield that can deflect and quench every flaming dart or arrow from Satan and his cohorts is what Paul refers to as “the faith of the Son of God.”
Apostle Paul writes, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20 KJV).
The faith of the Son of God is the supernatural faith of God imparted to the believer’s heart at the point of the new birth by the Holy Spirit through the preaching or teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul testifies, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17 RSV).
The faith of the Son of God is a precious gift of God to every believer in Christ. Every believer has in his heart the same supernatural faith that was in Jesus Christ and His early apostles.
Paul testifies, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3 KJV).
Peter also testifies, “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:1 NKJV).
How do you take up the shield of faith?
By acknowledging, admitting, or recognizing that God has given you the supernatural faith, the faith of the Son of God, at the New Birth!
By exercising or using the faith of the Son of God, you already have!
By holding fast unto or standing firm on God’s promises regardless of what you see or feel in the natural!
By choosing to walk by faith and not by sight!
Beloved, if you depend upon your natural senses in spiritual warfare, you will always experience defeat. But if you take up the shield of faith, putting your complete trust or confidence in God’s love, faithfulness, and power to keep His promises, you will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and demonstrate the victory you already have through Christ Jesus.
Therefore, Paul admonishes, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Eph. 6:16 NKJV).
Arise today and begin to exercise the faith of the Son of God in you!
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, teach and help me take up, put on, and use the shield of faith daily to appropriate, enforce, enjoy, and demonstrate the victory that Christ has already won for me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.