Ephesians 6 "Shield of Faith"

Taking the Shield

Up until now, Paul's description of the armor of God has been limited to items we wear. We put on the belt, the breastplate and the shoes, and they essentially hold themselves up.

Our fourth piece of equipment is the shield of faith (verse 16). The shield is different. Paul tells us that the shield is something we must take up, something we are required to raise. Just strapping it to our arm won't do any good at all if we don't make the effort to hold it up and use it.

Which we are to take up not so much ‘above all’, as if it were the most important or more important of all the weapons, but rather besides all these, as an indispensable addition or “over all” as to cover all that has already been put on before.

Shield of Faith

The Greek word Paul uses here for “Shield” is not the small round shield which left most of the body unprotected, it refers to the long oblong one, described as a four-cornered long shield, which covered the whole person like a door. This shield consisted of two layers of wood glued together and covered first with linen and then with hide: it was bound with iron above and below.’ It was specially designed to put out the dangerous incendiary missiles then in use, specially arrows dipped in pitch which were then lit and fired.

The Roman shield It was instead a very large, slightly curved rectangular shield.

The shield was an impressive line of defense. Because of its sheer size soldiers were afforded a great deal of protection from enemies. Because of its slight curve, it was able to deflect attacks without transferring the full force of the assault to the man holding the shield. It was also able to deflect even the more vicious blows and function in a limited offensive capacity as a means of knocking an opponent backwards.

The true safeguard in the evil day lies not in introspection, but in that look wholly outward, Godward, which is the essence of faith (see ). It is a “Saving Faith”.

Psalm 25:15 KJV 1900

Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 25:15 KJV 1900

Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Here is a biblical definition of faith that clears up some common misconceptions. If faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," then this has far-reaching implications. Substance is tangible, and evidence is solid proof. Faith is, by definition, not some hazy emotion without any grounding in reality. It is the irrefutable truth. It is real.

Romans 8:24–25 KJV 1900

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Though it is based on solid evidence, that doesn't mean faith comes naturally or easily. Paul here makes the obvious but necessary point: You don't hope for what you already have. Faith involves a huge element of trust. We must examine the evidence and see that God has proved Himself to be unchanging and consistent, and then we must firmly believe that He will fulfill His promises to us.

Where does living, saving faith come from?

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

While we must believe God to even begin our walk with Him, after repentance and baptism He gives us a deeper, living, growing faith through His Holy Spirit.

While we must believe God to even begin our walk with Him, after repentance and baptism He gives us a deeper, living, growing faith through His Holy Spirit.

Why is a shield associated with faith?

A shield guards.

While a physical shield protects us physically, faith can protect our spiritual lives even in the middle of physical trials. When Satan (through Nebuchadnezzar) attacked the values and beliefs of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, they were able to stand resolute and unwavering because of their faith. In their response, they essentially said, "God is capable of delivering us from this fate. We don't know if He will or not, but that doesn't matter. He gave us His commands, and we are going to keep them regardless of the physical outcome. We know He can just as easily raise us from the dead."

Ephesians 6:16 KJV 1900

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

A shield deflects.

Satan is always hurling his fiery darts of fear, doubt and worry in our direction, but the only time they can hit us is when we let our shield of faith down—when we stop believing that God is in control; that He is working everything out for our good; that whatever happens is for the ultimate best of everyone involved, however little it seems to be that way.

A shield is the first line of defense.

While the rest of our armor helps protect us from Satan's onslaught, it is not what you ideally want to be using to absorb every hit. You do not, for instance, go out into battle intentionally blocking everything with your head.

When our faith in God's omnipotence and care is strong, it is impossible for Satan to break through our shield and land an attack. But when we allow doubt to creep in, as Peter did when distracted by the waves, we will start to sink. The rest of our armor will be battered, and so will we. But an actively raised shield of faith prevents this otherwise inhibiting fatigue.

A shield can incapacitate.

When Christ was being tempted by Satan, His faith in the Word and commands of God repelled Satan for a time ( tells us that Christ was tempted in all things, so this was certainly not the only encounter Christ had with the devil). The boss (the metal knob in the middle) on the Roman shields allowed soldiers to give their enemies a stun-inducing shove that would allow them to follow through with an attack. Our faith in God, as demonstrated by Christ, can also give Satan a good shove backwards and give us a chance to fight back by doing God's will and work. Because God tells us that faith cannot just be in our minds, it must produce actions—works of obedience and service ().

Hebrews 4:15 KJV 1900

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

James 2:20 KJV 1900

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Fiery Darts

What, then, are all the flaming darts of the evil one?

In New Testament times darts were often made with tow dipped in pitch and then set on fire.

The devil’s darts no doubt include his mischievous accusations which inflame our conscience with what (if we are sheltering in Christ) can only be called false guilt. Paul also included such fiery darts as people’s tongues (a world of iniquity), selfishness, disappointment, that are planned by the enemy to burn and destroy. Other darts are unsought thoughts of doubt and disobedience, rebellion, lust, malice or fear.

What shield can Christians protect themselves?

The shield with which we can quench or extinguish all such fire-tipped darts. Is the shield of faith. God himself ‘is a shield to those who take refuge in him’, and it is by faith that we flee to him for refuge. For faith lays hold of the promises of God in times of doubt and depression, and faith lays hold of the power of God in times of temptation. Apollyon taunted Christian with the threat, ‘Here will I spill thy soul.’ ‘And with that,’ Bunyan continues, ‘he threw a flaming dart at his breast; but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which be caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.’

Closing

A quick glimpse of the enemy is again thought necessary. Remember

1 Peter 5:8–9 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

The apostle knew that only faith’s reliance on God could quench and deflect such weapons whenever they were hurled at the Christian.

Our faith is founded on the promises of God. How familiar are we with these promises? Do you know what God has promised you? If our knowledge of and trust in them are unsteady, we will be too.

It is of interest also to recall that the Romans had a system of locking these large shields together for their corporate defense against their enemies and for attack.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.