Armor of God and the Shield of Faith

In warfare, every part of your body that is not covered is immediately a liability. This is why it’s so important we put on the full armor of God in the spiritual fight we face each day. That being said, as Christians, we must put on the shield of faith. Our faith in Jesus protects us when we need it the most.

Armor of God Part 5

the Armor of God and the Shield of Faith

Faith is not uncommon in our society. It’s not faith, in general, that’s important, but it’s faith in Jesus. Faith in Jesus protects us when the fight is most fierce

The Whole Armor of God

Faith protects every part of us

If you are not covered properly you will not be protected. A competent enemy will exploit every opening you expose. Faith is to the Christian what the shield was to the Romans soldier.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Faith is the confident trust in the character of God and the capability of His power. Faith is the confident trust that God is who He says He is and He can do what He claims. No matter what your circumstances or your feelings, God can be trusted.

Faith fails when falling into one of 2 ditches:

  1. Doubting God’s character. Hardships and trials can make us doubt the goodness of God.
  2. Doubting the capability of His power: We may struggle to believe that God can do all He promises.

Which category do you struggle most in?

Don’t pretend that your doubt does not exist. Hiding our struggles will hinder our growth. Christians that struggle is not concerning. It’s the Christians that pretend that they don’t struggle is what’s concerning.

Following Jesus is not a day at the park, it’s more of a dog fight. The Bible promises that the Christian life is a struggle and will involve suffering.

What does it look like to take up the shield of faith?

  • ABC’s of Faith:

A. Assume Attack is Coming

We have to be wise enough and shrewd enough to realize that attack is coming.

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16

The flaming arrows come in one of two ways:

  1. Internal assaults: doubt and temptation.
  2. External assaults: persecution, trials.

Suffering for God’s Glory

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

If you read your Bible, you will know clearly that Christians will suffer.

What are the 4 times we drop our guard in the fight?

  1. Tired and weary: lust, gluttony, anger, bitterness.
  2. Discouraged: We just want to feel better and want this over, and we are vulnerable. We don’t have the freedom to pursue feeling better anyway that we want to.
  3. When we see victory: We get relaxed after having a victory. It is concerning when people think of struggling with sin only in the past tense. One of sin’s greatest skills is playing dead in your life. Turn your back for one second and it will take you down. We are to kill sin throughout our entire lives until we die or Jesus returns.
  4. When we feel safe: We tend to drop our guards when things are labeled Christian. False teachers rarely wear a sign. They tend to be very compelling and a wolf doesn’t necessarily know he is a wolf.

B. Believe in God’s Power

General warning: dropping your guard at any point is inviting defeat. We do not function in our own strength but we are to put on the strength of God’s might.

Here is the true test to see if you really believe that God is good and capable:

  • If you run to Him for protection, then you trust in His power.
  • If you run to another source, you do not trust His power.

How many of us have a view of God that we don’t think He is powerful enough?

We may not say this, but if you look at the fruit in your life and your response to hardship then you will know how you really feel.

Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people O Lord pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. Exodus 15:16

Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Psalm 68:34

C. Cling to God’s Promises

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16

This is not something that you might be able to do. Paul doesn’t say the shield of faith might help us. It will help us!! Faith in Jesus will protect us when the fight is most fierce.

God rarely takes us out of difficulty but He does sustain us through it. If your expectation is that God will take the trials away, you will be greatly disappointed.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

In closing, will you take up the SHIELD OF FAITH?

We need to choose faith in God afresh today. We may not understand why God is allowing some trial in our lives but we know that He is good and does all things for His glory and our good, so trust in Him.

I do NOT know what you may be going through today but rest assured that God knows, he cares, and loves you!

Be sure to read more on the Armor of God Series

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