We continue to look at the armor of God in Ephesians 6: 10-20: 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Today we look at the shield of faith. This is the one that really makes sense in our modern world, a shield.  I mean, we just saw a bunch of Captain America movies where the shield is a big thing.  We understand a shield.  We know what it is for and what it does.  A shield protects the soldier, keeps them safe, helps them survive. 

So, let’s look at two things. First, let’s look at what the shield is – faith.  Faith is what protects us. Faith is what keeps us safe. Faith is what keeps us going.  Faith is what we resist the devil with, faith is the thing in our lives that keeps the power of the devil at bay in our lives.  Faith is what pleases God and it through faith that we can even have a relationship with God. 

Just as a soldier knows without their shield they have no chance against their enemy, we are the same. Without the shield of faith, we have no real chance against our enemy.  Faith is essential in this batter and in life. 

Faith in the Father. Faith in Jesus. Faith in the Spirit. Faith that God will see us through these spiritual attacks.  Faith in God’s plan and God’s goodness, in all things. Faith makes it all possible. 

Now, let’s talk about how the devil attacks.  The text says that the devil attacks with flaming arrows. What people would do in that day is would cover their arrows in tar and light them on fire. This would spread the fire all around, causing damage not just with the arrow, but with the fire.  The shield would protect from the attacks.  

The devil’s attacks spread and spread and spread. They overwhelm us. They cover us. Faith stops this.  Faith keeps this from happening. Faith puts an end to it. Faith is what allows us to resist temptation, accusation, and all the ways that the devil longs to destroy us.  

Faith keeps us safe from all these attacks. Faith is what does it. 

Tomorrow we’ll continue with Ephesians 6: 10-20. 

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