“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. or we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS OF THE EVIL ONE...” Ephesians 6:10-16
The shield for the Roman soldier was four and a half feet by two and a half feet. The taking up of the shield was always done in conjunction with other warriors (Phalanx).
“The devil would have us believe that all of our thoughts, all of our doubts, improper thoughts originate in ourselves, and then he persuades us that, in consequence, we must be very evil persons who have no right to be called Christians at all. And so he drives us down into the depths of despair and utter hopelessness about ourselves. So nothing is so vital for us as to realize that it is a small deed devil whose fiery darts are (often) responsible for our condition.”
Martin Lloyd-Jones, The Christian Soldier, pg.301
The way to deal with the fiery darts is to take up the shield of faith. It is the only thing that can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one that he constantly hurls at us.
We must continue to walk in the gospel of grace as our feet are shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. This makes us mobile and agile and we’re able to respond to the attacks.
Faith never points to itself, it always points to its object. The critical issue is not the depth or the strength of my faith, but the object of my faith. We stand on the basis of Christ and Him crucified.
When we pick up the shield of faith, we are looking to the strong reality of Christ and the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit.
• The holding of the shield of faith is always done in conjunction with others.
• Note Martin Luther’s understanding of spiritual warfare and the example of his throwing the inkwell against the wall.