So far, as we have looked into Paul’s list of armour, we have seen items worn on the body. Our next piece, however, away from the body, comes between the evil one and us. Here we take the shield of faith. Paul writes, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Consider the mighty shield of faith, how to take hold of it, our ability to wield it, and how it works for us.
How to Take Hold of It
Faith is the foundation of our walk with Jesus. It comes as we hear the word of God and He brings it to life in us. Jesus is the author of our faith. He is also the finisher. When we hear God’s word He plants it in our hearts, like the tiny mustard seed that Jesus talks about. It grows and we bear fruit. Without faith, we are told it is impossible to please God, yet it is our faith in the work of Jesus, that He sees and counts as righteousness. It is evidence of what we hope for and the substance of what we cannot see. The more we read His word and see it work in our lives, the stronger it grows.
Our Ability to Wield It
Faith does not work alone. It is one of the three things that abide; faith, hope and love. The walk with Jesus is of faith and not by sight. Peter tells us God has given us “exceedingly great and precious promises” so we can take part in the divine nature of Jesus. Taking hold of God’s nature through faith we add diligence, and virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness, brotherly kindness and love. James tells us that without works, our faith is dead. God tests our faith, but as He does so He is working patience in us. James tells us patience does a perfect work in us.
How it Works for Us
We must not take light of our enemy’s power. He aims fiery darts at us. However, our shield, our faith, has the power to quench; to thoroughly douse those fiery darts. We know he is a liar. We read God’s Word and stand on it. He also is an accuser. The word of God comes to us again. “There is therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” We learn to recognize Jesus as a shield about us. We learn the authority and power we have in Christ to do His works through our faith in Him. Read the promises, memorize them, verbalize them. Hold up the shield of faith. Consider the mighty shield of faith, how to take hold of it, our ability to wield it, and how it works for us.
