Armor of God - Shield of Faith

Read Ephesians 6:10-17. - Highlight the main points

Picture of the Roman Soldier

Review of the Armor

The Girdle or Belt of Truth

It is the essential in keeping the rest of the Armor in place

There are two aspects to truth

The first was the person of Truth - Jesus Christ

I am the Way the Truth and the Life … John 14:6.

The second was living in Truth

Live a life without lies

We talked about the Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate is directly attached to truth (belt of truth)

Much like the truth, Righteousness in the Armor has two aspects to it.

The first is God is Righteousness … Psalms 11:7, “For God is righteousness, He loves Righteousness.

The second is we as believers are to live righteously. We are to walk right before our Lord.

Last Week we talked about Shodding our feet with the preparation of the gospel of Peace.

We covered the two aspects of the Gospel

Our responsibility of sharing the Gospel

The ministry of the Gospel and how it can reconcile (those who are enemies) the lost and bring them peace with God.

Today we will be looking into the Shield of Faith

Just like the rest of the Armor, Paul likely was observing the Shield which the Roman soldiers kept with them and carried into battle. Perhaps he may have even had conversations with some of the soldiers who had seen battle and asked them the purposes and uses of the shield.

The Roman Shield was called a “Scutum.”

It was anywhere from 3-4 Feet tall and 2-3 feet wide

They were made of wood much like plywood, then covered by a thick leather hide.

The Shields where skillfully bent into a curve to help deflect blows from the enemy and to help cover the soldier. Masters of intimidation, they would cover the edges of the shields with some form of metal to help prevent a blade getting stuck in the wood, but also, they would clang their swords against the metal before attacking the enemy to create a sense of fear in them.

Often, they would put olive oil on the shield to keep it from getting waterlogged, but also, olive oil has a smoke point helping give time to a soldier who’s shield may have been hit with a flaming arrow.

Lastly, they often would march or take a stand very closely together, interlocking their shields in a formation which was called the “Testudo” which in Latin means “Tortoise”

With this formation they were able to absorb arial attacks from arrows and other objects as well as penetrate an enemy front and attack from the sides or gaps made with the shields.

They would even use this formation to make a ramp for scaling enemies walls.

It is with this in mind that Paul pens Ephesians 6:16

Ephesians 6:16 (NASB95)

in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

There are 3 things we see in this verse that are essential to understanding what Paul is trying to convey to the believers in Ephesus and to you and I today.

Take Up The Shield

Point one is we are to Take Up

Just like the rest of the armor so far, the shield of faith will do us know good unless we pick it up and use it.

Back in 1859, there was an acrobat by the name of Charles Blondin.

He was famous for walking across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. This tightrope stretched over a quarter of a mile and spanning the breadth of Niagara Falls and was about 160 ft above the falls.  Imagine the thunderous sounds of the pounding water as people watched Charles travers across this gap. One slip and he would likely fall to his death. The crowds from both the Canadian and American sides would cheer as he approached each end of the rope.

In fact he even crossed the rope in a sack, he did it on stilts, on a bicycle, and once he even carried a stove and cooked an omelet! Is skill was like no other. His balance was as good as one could ever achieve.

On July 15, Blondin walked backward across the tightrope to Canada and returned pushing a wheelbarrow. He then did again but this time he did it blindfolded. This particular day he decided to as the audience for participation. 

The crowds still "Ooooohed" and "Aaaaahed!"  There was no doubt in their minds that he was a master at his craft. But now he was asking for a volunteer to get into the wheelbarrow and take a ride across the Falls with him!

He asked his audience, "Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?"  Of course the crowd shouted that yes, they believed!

It was then that Blondin posed the question - "Who will get in the wheelbarrow?”

There was silence as no one was willing.

Of course...none did.

You see folks this is how it is with God. We know God is capable of great things. We hear stories, we read the Bible of His greatness, but are we willing to pick up the Shield of Faith and allow God to show us how great He is or are we like the crowds with Charles Blondin, who only ooooo and aaaah a God’s greatness until we are ask to trust Him?

The Shield of Faith

Point two is the Shield of Faith

What is the Shield of Faith?

This is not talking about saving faith

What this is, is trusting with confidence in the promises and faithfulness of God.

The Greek word for faith here is “Pistis” which means, faithfulness, confidence, assurance.

The idea is because of God’s character of faithfulness; we can trust what He says to be true.

What promises has God given us? The Bible is replete with his promises… here are just a few.

Do you need wisdom?

James 1:5 (NASB95)

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Maybe you just need to be encouraged.

Psalm 100:5 (NASB95)

For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

Maybe you feel alone.

Hebrews 13:5b (NASB95)

“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

Maybe you feel like you can’t get this Christian life right.

Philippians 1:6 (NASB95)

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Maybe your anxious and losing sleep or peace…

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB95)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Maybe your concerned about just surviving and making your bills.

Matthew 6:31–33 (NASB95)

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Maybe your are under major spiritual attack and you don’t know what to do.

James 4:7 (NASB95)

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

The list goes on and on… God’s Word is full of His promises to us…

I think of the Israelites Joshua chapter 3 as they were about to cross the Jordan. The waters did not part until the priest stepped into the water.

God’s promises to us are there for the taking, but we must act on them. We must pick up the Shield of Faith and trust God to be faithful.

Purpose - Extinguish Satan’s Flaming Arrows

The Third item found in this verse is the purpose of Faith… that is to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.

As we place our faith in God’s promises it allows us to extinguish the arrows of Satan as he shoots them at us.

What are these arrows? I would suggest the following…

He loves to shoot the arrow of doubt in our minds

He loves the arrow of hate

The arrow of self

The arrow of pride

The arrow of false doctrine

The arrow of discontentment

As we battle we can withstand many attacks, but may I suggest to you today, that just like the roman soldiers, we will be so much more successful if we us the testudo formation in faith.

What do I mean by that?

The scriptures reminds us that we are to encourage and build up one another in our faith.

Romans 1:12 (NASB95)

that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB95)

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Galatians 6:2 (NASB95)

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB95)

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

When we share with one another we are able to bear each other’s worries and troubles. We are able to build each other up, because we are not in this battle alone, we have the promises of God, and we have each other to fight off the schemes and flaming arrows of our enemy the devil.

My Challenge to you this morning is this…

Have you taken up the Shield of Faith, depending on God’s promises or are you leaning on your own strength.

If you are struggling with your faith, can I challenge you to share your fears with another believer?