Armor of God: Shield of Faith

       In addition to all this, take up the shield of
     faith, with which you can extinguish all the
     flaming arrows of the evil one.
       ~ Ephesians 6:14


The enemy is real. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Believe it. Satan is trying to snatch away the good God has planted in your heart. Don’t think you are immune from attack or that you are strong enough to stand on your own. But do believe that you can stand.
When the enemy comes, “resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Pet 5:9). Take action and take up the shield of faith. Faith is an action. Lay down your defense and trust God to defend you. We overcome the world and its sins, pleasures, and pitfalls in victory through faith. God gives us the victory, so stand firm; be immoveable.
When you are tempted, where do you turn? Are you dragged away by the temptation and the sin, or do you stand firm in your faith in God?


Read further
Ephesians 6; Matthew 13:9; 1 John 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; James 1:13-15

Armor of God

      Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty
     power. Put on the full armor of God so that you
     can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
     For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
     but against the rulers, against the authorities,
     against the powers of this dark world and against
     the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
     realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God,
     so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
     able to stand your ground, and after you have
     done everything, to stand.
       ~ Ephesians 6:10-13


The enemy is very real and very capable. “Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” (Genesis 4:7)
God is also real. He is more powerful and more able. You have already lost the battle if you try to master sin on your own. That is why you must “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph 6:10). You can’t stand by your power because the battle is spiritual, not physical. Trust the Master of all – spiritual and physical – to protect you so that you may be able to stand.
Are you feeling the burden of trying to stand on your own? What can you do in your life to stand closer to the Lord?



This is the first in a series about the Armor of God. Check back for more.

Read Ephesians 6