SHIELD

But You, O LORD, are a SHIELD for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head – Psalm 3:3

The fourth element in the Believer’s Spiritual Armor is the SHIELD of Faith: “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph.6:16). A shield is designed to provide protection: to protect the body from blows, cuts, or any thrown missile such as javelin, spear, arrow, or stone from a sling. Even today, the influential, rich and affluent, hide behind bullet-proof glass shields for protection; but carnal shields are of no value in spiritual warfare. The devil deals with the spiritual, from which he attacks the soulish and the physical. Many believers end up as casualties in the realm of warfare because they fail to understand Satan’s strategy and succumb to his empty roar. All too often they engage in warfare with flesh and blood instead of principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph.6:12). They do battle in low places by fighting against people, rather than the wicked forces behind them.

Paul used the illustration of the physical shield to clarify the spiritual. He was referring to a large shield that with skilful manoeuvre can cover the total person. While the enemy will attack anywhere he can, his main target is the head and the breast. The shield, therefore, had to be big enough to crouch behind, yet strong and light enough to wield and stop the enemy’s weapons, chief among which were fiery darts. These were combustible arrowheads that could set fire to ships, fortifications, houses and weaker shields made of wood or leather. Literally, they were dipped in pitch or a burning explosive substance and shot into villages to burn and destroy homes and protective fortresses. In ancient warfare, special shields covered with metal were used to quench these fiery darts. Spiritually, fiery darts are missiles of evil thoughts, passions, lusts, and temptations (1Cor.10:13-14). They represent strongholds of arguments and captivating thoughts (2Cor.10:4-6).

The shield that Paul referred to, which is provided by our Commander-in-Chief as part of our spiritual armament is the SHIELD of FAITH – our Shield of Victory, “for whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our Faith” (1Jh.5:4). The shield secures ours soul from the assaults of the world: the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1Jh.2:15-17). The shield of faith keeps sin at bay (Rom.6:12). Faith is acting on God’s Word. It is the shield by which you stop the darts of the enemy. Even when you do not feel or see Satan’s attack, you defend yourself by faith – “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb.11:1). Faith is fundamental in spiritual warfare; for without faith, defeat is inevitable. This faith is Christ’s Faith that has become ours, as He takes up residence in our lives, for He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2a). Any believer that does not have this faith firmly bound to his or her being, possessing it with a strong, firm grip, is not equipped to go into the battle.

It was through a strong God-given faith that the ancient champions became not only survivors but Victors: “who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (Heb.11:33). Beyond the breastplate, the farthest the enemy can get is the Shield of Faith! Every attack is repelled by faith. The shield is also utlilized when the Sword of the Spirit is actively and offensively used against the enemy. The shield, while defensive, becomes part of the offensive armour. As a soldier in the army of the Lord, you have a key role to play in His Kingdom agenda and the accompanying spiritual battles. Hold your ground and push the frontiers of His Kingdom. Be fully and perpetually dressed in defence of your destiny and others that are linked to yours, and in readiness for conflicts and conquests. Carry the SHIELD of FAITH so that you may be well protected, supernaturally secured, and gloriously triumphant.