The Whole Armor of God Part 4- The Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16 NIV

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The Concordance defines shield as: a large four-cornered shield.

The dictionary defines shield as:

a broad piece of armor, varying widely in form and size, carried apart from the body, usually on the left arm, as a defense against swords, lances, arrows, etc.

  

 This shield is special because it is made of faith.

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Now.. right now (the exact moment we need it)  faith is the thing you hope for with an expectation, the proof of things not seen. (My interpretation.)

What should we have faith for?

Of course we need faith to trust in God and believe that He will do what He says He will do. But we need to ask according to God's will.

James 4:3 NIV When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

 Psalms 37:4 NIV

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. (worship)

 

How do we get faith?

 Romans 10:17 NIV Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.  We need to come to church and hear the Word being taught.

How do we use the shield of faith?

Jesus deflected Satan's darts of temptation with the Word of God.

Remember the shield is moveable... we handle it.

I like both versions of one of my personal favorite verses.

II Timothy 2:15  NIV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15 NIV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Learn how to use the shield of faith.

1. Go a church where the word is taught accurately.Romans 10:17 (We love it at Christian Faith Center, where the Word is taught accurately and lovingly.)

2.Worship Psalms 37:4
 3. Study II Tim. 2:15.

 4. Memorize the Word. Psalms 119:11

I have one other thought to share. When I think of a shield I mostly envision the outter part of the shield. But there is also the inner side of the shield. The part that is closer to my heart.

 Psalms 119:11 NIV I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.