The Shield of Faith

I love the Word of God. Its wisdom is so deep and profound that I can never fathom its depths. It is so encouraging to go back to a familiar portion of Scripture and gain new insights, see a new application, or develop a deeper and richer understanding of some timeless truth. I experienced this recently in Ephesians 610-17, a classic passage on the Christian's spiritual armor, a passage I had read many times before, and heard preached as well. Yet this time something really jumped out at me regarding the shield of faith.

Faith is a concept we often think about in abstract terms; we see it as lofty, spiritual, and even somewhat mystical. Faith has a very practical side to it as well. In the MacArthur Bible Commentary, John MacArthur describes faith as basic trust in God. The believer's continual trust in God's word and promise is 'above all' absolutely necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin. All sin comes when the victim falls to
Satan's lies and promises of pleasure, rejecting the better choice of obedience and blessing. I have been meditating on this, and practical ways I can most effectly utilize the shield of faith.

When I am discouraged and it seems like I am getting the short end of the stick, I must remember Psalm 145:17: The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His deeds and
Psalm 84:11: For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. I must pick up the shield of faith and believe God's Word, not my own perceptions.

When I am feeling overwhelmed with a trial or temptation and feel like this is more than I can handle I must remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. I must pick up the shield of faith and believe God's Word, not my own feelings.

When I am suffering or in adverse circumstances and think about how bad the situation is, I must remember Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I must pick up the shield of faith and believe God's Word, not my own thoughts.

When I am aware of my own shortcomings and it seems like I can't possibly serve the Lord, or fulfill the responsibilities He has given me, I must remember Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I must pick up the shield of faith and believe God's Word, not my own thoughts, feelings, or perceptions.

I would encourage you to spend some time meditating on situations in your life when you use or fail to use the shield of faith in fighting your spiritual battles. Actively and practically believing God's Word is the only way to extinguish the flaming missiles of the evil one.