Ephesians 6:15 - The Shield of Faith

Todaywe’re continuing in Ephesians chapter 6, moving on to verse 16. We’re talkingabout our enemy, the devil, and our protection and defense against him. As Paulhas said, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you might be able to standagainst the wiles of the devil.” Paul is now describing the equipment thatGod has provided for every believer so that we can stand and withstand theattacks of the evil one. As we come to verse 16, we’re looking at one of themost important pieces of the armor. Verse 16 says, “Above all, taking theshield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts ofthe wicked.”  My friend, this is soimportant as we stand against all the wiles of the devil. AsPaul was describing this armor, the believers in Ephesus would no doubt havebeen very familiar with the Roman soldiers of their day. The shield hedescribes here is not just a small, round shield used in hand-to-hand combat.This is a large shield, sometimes described as being like a door—about fourfeet tall and two feet wide. A soldier could stand behind it and be almostcompletely covered. It was often made of wood and covered with thick leather,sometimes even soaked in water, so that when fiery arrows hit it, the firewould be extinguished. Paul says this is what faith does for the believer. Thereis another powerful picture here when we think about this shield. Romansoldiers would often lock their shields together, forming a wall that advancedas one. That reminds us that we are not fighting this battle alone. God has putus in the body of Christ. We stand together. We pray together. We encourage oneanother. The Lord strengthens His people as they move forward in unity. Nownotice this shield. Our protection is called the shield of faith. Faith is soimportant. As we look at the faith Paul is speaking about here, we realize thisis not just saving faith that Ephesians 2 tells us about. We are not saved byour works because we are saved by faith. That is saving faith. Paul is talkinghere about a faith that is living faith—a faith that daily helps us trust inGod, daily depend upon His promises, and daily remain confident in Hischaracter. TheBible tells us in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible toplease Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is arewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Now this is so important. Wheredoes faith come from? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing,and hearing by the word of God.” Our faith in God—knowing God, believingwho God is, trusting Him, living an obedient life in the will of God—is basedon our understanding of who God Himself is. “The fear of the Lord is thebeginning of wisdom”. Wisdom is knowing God. The only way to know God isthrough His Word.  Theway we know God is to know His Word and understand His Word. We read it. Wememorize it. Remember Psalm 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, thatI might not sin against Thee.” Why? Because as you hide His Word in yourheart and meditate on it, you grow stronger. That is why Psalm 1:2-3 is soimportant: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law dothhe meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers ofwater, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall notwither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” My friend, that is being inGod’s Word. Ifwe want to have a shield of faith, it is connected to the Word of God. Thisfaith is living faith because it is not trusting in something. It is trustingin Someone you know through the Word of God. You love and know God. You believeGod. You trust God and you live in obedience to His Word always doing His will! Habakkuk2:4 declares, “The just shall live by his faith.” Paul repeats thistruth in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews echoes it again in Hebrews10:38. We understand that faith is not an occasional act. It is a way of life.