The Armor of God: The Shield of Faith
Thank you for continuing to read this series about the Armor of God. Today's topic is so vast and has so much meaning. The word Faith is used 245 times in the Bible. I decided to focus on a practical application to what is on my heart, and I hope it benefits you as well. The next piece of armor is The Shield of Faith
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one”
Understanding Faith
I think it is important to have a true understanding of Paul’s meaning when he is describing the Armor of God. Seeing that he was speaking to the Church of Ephesus, he likely was speaking Greek. The original Greek word for Faith is πίστις (pistis) which has 3 meanings. Trust and Confidence, a Belief System, and Loyalty. Basically, faith isn’t just a mental acknowledgment of God’s existence but a deep-seated trust in His promises
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in things not seen.”
Romans 1:17 “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
The Shield of Faith
Firefighters don’t use shields but they do have an all-encompassing barrier from the smoke. This is their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This is a tank of pressurized air that is worn on the back and regulated into a mask that provides clean air, on demand. The smoke of a structure fire is incredibly toxic, due to the chemicals in many modern products. This system allows firefighters to be able to directly attack the fire without breathing the toxic smoke and superheated gasses. If you have ever worn an SCBA, you know that it takes a little faith just to put the mask on, but once you get over the claustrophobia of the mask, you realize that you have protection from the toxic air that surrounds you. An SCBA tank only lasts about 30min depending how hard you are working before it needs to be filled. Our faith is the same way. If we aren’t filling up with prayer and God’s word, faith will run out and we will suffocate in the environment around us.
In firefighting, teamwork is crucial, much like the Roman soldiers’ Testudo formation. No one enters the fire alone. There is a rule in the fire service called “2 in-2 out” If two firefighters go into the burning building, there are two outside waiting to rescue them. It's also 2 in and 2 out, not 1 in and 1 out. This way if one gets hurt the other is there to help them. This is also biblical Ecclesiastes 4:9–12. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help” The point I am trying to make is that we are not meant to face challenges alone. There is strength in companionship. That is why God designed a woman for man. That is why God designed marriage. Firefighters have faith, that there is someone to have their backs when the ceiling comes crashes down, or the fire flashes over and engulfs everything in flames. Everyone should have someone to walk in faith with and face life's flames with. The Tortoise formation was effective because each soldier covered the other with their shield. We need to do the same thing and cover each other in faith.
Spiritual Warfare and the Shield of Faith
I want to go back to the fact that Paul is making these instructions based on spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The Shield of Faith is vital in this warfare because it allows us to counteract the enemy's lies and deceptions. When faced with temptations, doubts, or fears, our faith acts as a barrier, protecting our hearts and minds. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. For instance, when feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness come up, can respond in faith with Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This reinforces our faith and shields us from the enemy's attacks.
Double-Mindedness and Its Impact on Faith
One thing that breaks down faith is being double-minded. Double-mindedness is being indecisive or wavering between beliefs or actions. In the context of faith, it manifests as a struggle to fully trust God while simultaneously relying on our own understanding. James 1:6-8 warns us about the dangers of this mindset: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
This instability creates conflict within us, leading to uncertainty in our faith. When we waver, we weaken our shield of faith, making it less effective against the attacks of the enemy. single-mindedness means making conscious choices that align with our faith. It involves prioritizing time in prayer and Scripture, seeking counsel from trusted brothers and sisters, and actively resisting distractions or temptations that pull us away from our commitment to God. When faced with difficult decisions, we can turn to prayer, asking God for clarity and strength rather than relying solely on our limited perspective.
Resisting temptation requires a focused mind grounded in God's truth. Philippians 4:8 says to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. When we fill our minds with these things, we build our faith and strengthen our resolve against the temptations that seek to undermine it. It is a surrender and reliance on God’s plan and purpose of life.
Love Binds It All Together
Throughout these series I have focused on the fact that The Armor of God is a complete system, each piece reliant on the other and bound together with love. I have referenced this verse and I will again Colossians 3:14 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Unconditional love is what makes the armor effective. In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul emphasizes the importance of love in the life of a believer. He prays that we may be “rooted and established in love” and that we may grasp the vastness of Christ’s love, which surpasses knowledge. This love is why the Shield of Faith works It is the binding agent that holds our faith together. It is through love that we can fully experience the depth of our faith and the strength of our shield. When we are rooted in love, we are better equipped to extinguish the arrows of doubt and fear. Love empowers us to trust God more deeply and to act in faith, knowing that we are secure in His embrace.
Love strengthens our faith by building our relationships. For example, when we serve another, we embody Christ’s love, which in turn deepens our own faith. Unconditional acts of kindness, encouragement, and support create an environment where faith can thrive. 1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” Our demonstration of love reflects God’s presence in our lives, reinforcing our faith.
Taking up the Shield of Faith, remember the importance of maintaining a single-minded focus on God and His promises. Be rooted in love, allowing it to bind faith together and strengthen our resolve against the challenges faced. By doing so, stand firm against the attacks of the enemy and live out the calling as faithful followers of Christ. By integrating these principles into daily life, cultivates a robust faith that withstands the trials and tribulations that are encountered.
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