The Shield of Faith

Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the battles you face. But the Bible encourages you to “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Epheisans 6:10-11 KJV). The fight you are in is not natural because “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). That is a lot of evil spirits we have to battle, but God has equipped us with everything we need to win.

The Apostle Paul told the church in Ephesus, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:13-15).

POWER OVER THE ENEMY

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). When Paul said, “above all”, he was not talking about priority. The phrase is translated as “over all”. Paul was encouraging the Ephesians to cover all their spiritual armor with faith.

The Roman shield, which Paul had in mind when he wrote this epistle, was the size of a door. Many of us picture Captain America’s shield when we think about shields, but the Romans only used round shields for special occasions, like celebrations. But when they went to war, they used their tall, rectangular shields because they completely covered them.

When you get behind your faith, you are covered from head to toe. There is not a devil in hell that can take you out, and you will quench “all” the fiery darts of the enemy, not some. All! It does not matter what area of life he attacks. If he attacks your marriage, you can quench all his arrows. If he attacks your children, health, or finances, you are able to subdue all his blows. You have the power to shut him down. Jesus said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

POWER OF THE WORD

So, the shield completely covered the Roman soldier. And it was able to quench the fiery darts from the opposing army. These fiery darts were hollow and filled with oil. A cloth was tied around the tip of the arrow, which the enemy would light on fire and shoot it at their opponents.

But the front of the Roman shield was covered in six layers of animal hide. And before the soldier went to battle, he would soak his shield in water for an entire day, so when he went to battle, the water would quench the fire from the arrows launched. The water represents the Word of God. The Bible says, we are cleansed “with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). The Word of God also produces faith because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The shield of faith is ineffective without the Word.

POWER OF THE ANOINTING

In addition to soaking his shield in water, the Roman soldier would rub the front of his shield with oil every day to prevent the leather from cracking. We know the oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit. How to get in the anointing and in the presence of God? Spend time praying and reading the Word of God every day. The Bible says, “the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27). Do you have a yoke in your life that needs to be destroyed? Get in the Word of God. Get in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give you answers others cannot see in the natural.

Remember when David fought Goliath. The Holy Spirit singled out the one spot on Goliath that was not covered in armor, his forehead. And David, a young shepherd boy, defeated the nine-foot giant with just a slingshot and stone. How? The anointing makes you bold. The anointing will make you say things that will shock even you. Before David killed Goliath, he told him he would take his head from him, and David didn’t even have a sword. David was prophesying under the anointing of the Holy Spirit because all he had was a sling. But after he knocked him out, David took Goliath’s own sword, and took his head.

The weapon may be formed against you, but it will not prosper (Isaiah 54:17). The enemy has been taunting you long enough. He has been attacking you long enough, but his time is up. I feel like something is about to break from off of your life. I dare someone to lift up your shield of faith.

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Sean Pinder Ministries
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God Bless,

Pastors Sean & Aimee Pinder