Contributor: Alex Alajiki

INTRODUCTION:

We have been looking at the parts of the Believer’s Armour – The Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness and Sandal of Readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Sandal of the Roman soldiers protect their feet against sharp objects. The Sandals were re-enforced with heavy soles with spikes for maximum protection and stability when they are on the move.

The word readiness implies constant vigilance. It implies that one is prepared for battle advancing with the preaching of the gospel of peace. When we are ready/prepared with the gospel of peace, we live with the understanding that we are continually under attack from Satan and therefore never let our guards down.  2 Timothy 4:2 says to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”

The gospel is the gospel of peace. We cannot live a chaotic life and be able to offer peace to others. So, it is important that we have Peace with God (Romans 5:1), Peace within (Psalm 4:8) and Peace with others (Romans 12:18).

Today, we are looking at the fourth part of the Armour; The Shield of faith.

Ephesians 6:16 (NKJ)

“above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

We need to take note of the phrase “above all”. The shield of faith is most essential in our Armoury above all.

1. The Reality of Spiritual Battle

We may forget at times, but one thing is true, this world is a battlefield. Day by day, hour by hour, we face a spiritual war and an enemy who’s real. He wants nothing more than to bring defeat, for his main aim is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). The forces of darkness don't wait for us to be ready for their attack. They're ruthless, determined, and cunning. 

God has given us His Armoury to be able to stop all the schemes of the devil. The enemy we face, no matter how cruel and vicious his schemes, can never be able to overcome us if we take on the full Armour of God.

2. The Roman Shield

The Roman soldier's shield measured approximately two by four feet and was made of wood covered with leather. In those days, soldiers dipped arrows in oil, then lit them and shot them at the enemy. These shields were vital to protect the soldier from getting pierced and burned. No defensive armor is as important as the shield. It fended off arrows, spears, and swords of the enemies.

3. Take the shield of faith; Heb. 11:6

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Faith is simply believing in God and His promises or words. The way the Roman Army shields are carefully built so also must we build with necessary materials, so also must we carefully build our faith with the words of God. Rom. 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Faith is a shield that stops the fiery darts that Satan fires at us. Faith is a shield that is placed between us and the devil, doubts, fears, temptation and sin. Faith, and trust in God protects us from being wounded by these arrows from the enemy.

4, The Purpose of the Shield of Faith; 1 Pet.5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world

One of Satan's fiery darts is doubt. We get in the flesh and begin to question our salvation and the promises of God. We are tempted to doubt the love of God when we are in crises.

 A shield has no purpose if there is not threat. The believer is always being threatened at every turn. Often when we least expect it. The devil tries to discourage us. But when the temptations come, and they will come, we raise the shield of faith, that means the shield of God's truth. Faith believes, so it renders temptation ineffective in weakening us.

Soldiers are not only trained in arms and physical combats, they are also trained in mental combat to be able to have the mental capacity in extreme situations to fight and defeat the enemies.

Engaging the shield of faith is a mental combat or defense from the arrows of doubts of the enemies.

Most of a soldier’s life is one of preparation and training. Few hours are spent in combat and actual fight. But without the training the battle will surely be lost. The Christian must constantly build their faith in preparation for any arrow from the enemies.

Jude 1:20 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”

CONCLUSION; Heb.10:35-39

Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the[n] just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who draw back to [o]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.