Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Shield

Ephesians 6:16
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 Shield of Fatih is the Christian's protection against the attack of the enemy. When faced with authentic faith in God the powers of darkness are overcome. This is why the apostle John could say for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

One of the greatest pieces of armament that was ever created was the shield. Shields have been key in any successful military force. From ancient warriors to modern riot police; shields are being used. Though the type and durability of shields have changed over the centuries shields are an essential piece of equipment. Imagine being a warrior without a shield. You have a lot more to worry about than before and a lot more energy is exerted to dodge attacks because the shield isn't present.

A shields elementary purpose is to intecept an attack or redirect a blow. That is what our faith does. Sometimes we pray that God delivers us from stuff we are meant to endure. When we engage in a battle and must step out in faith as the enemy approaches to attack we can have confidence to know that as the blow comes in we can position our faith in a way to break up its intended purpose.

Don't just have faith. Actually PUT faith in God.

To have faith in something is like having faith a wall will hold you up. I have faith that if I lean against any wall in my office it will be able to hold me up. Yet if I never lean against it what good is that faith? So what you can quote books of the Bible. So what you got gold stars for perfect attendance in Sunday School. If what you now isn't how you act, than what you know is worthless. It is a whole other thing to say I have faith and actually commit to leaning on that very faith.

One other great thing about a shield is that you can use it to help those battling beside you. Our faith can be an encouragment to others who may be struggling to endure the very trials that we are in or have already overcome.

Intercept, redirect, endure...you can't do any of it if you're not engaged in faith.

1 comment:

Jared Edwards said...

Great post bro. This was timely for me to read today! I too easily lean on what I know or at least what I think I know.