Take Up The Shield
4/5/2024
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
- Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)
In the spiritual battle of life, we are not defenseless. Just as a soldier equips themselves with armor before entering the battlefield, so too are we called to prepare ourselves with the armor of God. Among this spiritual armor, the shield of faith stands as a vital piece of defense.
The image of a shield is powerful and speaks to the protection and defense that faith provides us in spiritual warfare. Just as a shield protects a soldier from the fiery arrows of the enemy, our faith shields us from the attacks of the evil one.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, encourages believers to take up the shield of faith. Remember, this shield is not a physical object, but a spiritual weapon given to us by God. It is through faith that we are able to deflect and extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy.
Imagine for a moment the picture Paul paints: an onslaught of flaming arrows, aimed at our hearts and minds by the evil one. These arrows come in the form of doubt, fear, temptation, and despair. But in the midst of this assault, we raise our shield of faith. It is not our own strength that protects us, but the unwavering trust we place in God.
Faith is not merely a passive belief, but an active and intentional choice to trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem dire. It is a steadfast confidence that God is with us, that He is in control, and that He will never leave nor forsake us. When we face trials, temptations, and challenges, we can hold up our shield of faith and trust that God will protect us and guide us through every battle.
When doubts assail us, when fears threaten to overwhelm us, when temptations lure us away from the path of righteousness, it is faith that sustains us. It is faith that reminds us of God’s faithfulness in the past and His promises for the future.
But in order for our shield of faith to be effective, we must actively take it up and wield it. We must nurture and strengthen our faith through prayer, studying God's Word, and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who can encourage and support us, and through cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. As we immerse ourselves in His truth and meditate on His promises, our faith grows stronger, our shield more resilient.
In the middle of life’s battles, do not despair. Take up the shield of faith that God has provided for you. When we face doubt, fear, and uncertainty, let us remember our shield and stand firm in the promises of God. Trust in His unfailing love and His mighty power to protect and sustain you. With faith as your shield, you can stand firm against the enemy’s attacks and emerge victorious in Christ.
May our faith be a strong defense against the attacks of the enemy, extinguishing every flaming dart that comes our way.
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, help us to take up the shield of faith in all circumstances. Strengthen our trust in You and Your promises, and protect us from the attacks of the evil one. May our faith be a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding us through every battle we face. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
- Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)
In the spiritual battle of life, we are not defenseless. Just as a soldier equips themselves with armor before entering the battlefield, so too are we called to prepare ourselves with the armor of God. Among this spiritual armor, the shield of faith stands as a vital piece of defense.
The image of a shield is powerful and speaks to the protection and defense that faith provides us in spiritual warfare. Just as a shield protects a soldier from the fiery arrows of the enemy, our faith shields us from the attacks of the evil one.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, encourages believers to take up the shield of faith. Remember, this shield is not a physical object, but a spiritual weapon given to us by God. It is through faith that we are able to deflect and extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy.
Imagine for a moment the picture Paul paints: an onslaught of flaming arrows, aimed at our hearts and minds by the evil one. These arrows come in the form of doubt, fear, temptation, and despair. But in the midst of this assault, we raise our shield of faith. It is not our own strength that protects us, but the unwavering trust we place in God.
Faith is not merely a passive belief, but an active and intentional choice to trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem dire. It is a steadfast confidence that God is with us, that He is in control, and that He will never leave nor forsake us. When we face trials, temptations, and challenges, we can hold up our shield of faith and trust that God will protect us and guide us through every battle.
When doubts assail us, when fears threaten to overwhelm us, when temptations lure us away from the path of righteousness, it is faith that sustains us. It is faith that reminds us of God’s faithfulness in the past and His promises for the future.
But in order for our shield of faith to be effective, we must actively take it up and wield it. We must nurture and strengthen our faith through prayer, studying God's Word, and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who can encourage and support us, and through cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. As we immerse ourselves in His truth and meditate on His promises, our faith grows stronger, our shield more resilient.
In the middle of life’s battles, do not despair. Take up the shield of faith that God has provided for you. When we face doubt, fear, and uncertainty, let us remember our shield and stand firm in the promises of God. Trust in His unfailing love and His mighty power to protect and sustain you. With faith as your shield, you can stand firm against the enemy’s attacks and emerge victorious in Christ.
May our faith be a strong defense against the attacks of the enemy, extinguishing every flaming dart that comes our way.
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, help us to take up the shield of faith in all circumstances. Strengthen our trust in You and Your promises, and protect us from the attacks of the evil one. May our faith be a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding us through every battle we face. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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