(Part 4 of the Armor of God series)
When Paul describes the armor of God, he doesn’t talk about if we’ll face attacks – he assumes we will. Faith, he says, is what protects us when those attacks come.
Ephesians 6:16 says, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Roman shields were massive – large enough to cover the entire body when crouched behind them. They were layered with leather and soaked in water before battle so that fiery arrows would fizzle out instead of ignite. That’s the image Paul paints: our faith, when active and grounded in truth, can extinguish every burning lie the enemy hurls our way.
Doubt, fear, insecurity, temptation – these are the flaming arrows of the enemy. They come suddenly, aiming to pierce your confidence in God. Faith is what stops them from hitting their mark. Not faith in ourselves or in outcomes, but faith in the unchanging character of God.
Faith doesn’t mean we never feel fear. It means we choose to trust God’s whispered Word even when fear screams louder. Faith says, “I don’t know how this will end, but I know who holds the ending.”
In Hebrews 11:1, we read, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
That kind of confidence doesn’t come from positive thinking – it comes from consistent dependence. Faith grows every time we take God at His Word, every time we pray through doubt, and every time we remember His past faithfulness when our current situation looks uncertain.
When Paul tells us to “take up” the shield of faith, it’s an action. We don’t carry faith passively; we raise it intentionally. The enemy’s arrows aren’t random – they’re aimed to hit where we’re weakest, to make us question God’s goodness or timing. But every time we respond to fear with trust, to anxiety with prayer, or to doubt with Scripture, we’re lifting that shield.
Writing is one of the areas where I am constantly attacked. I cannot tell you how many posts have never seen the light of day because the attacks convince me it isn’t good enough, that I am not good enough. I have deleted and restarted this one at least three times. And it’s literally about defending against that doubt. Faith is not an easy shield to yield. But it is effective when put to the test. You reading this is testament to that.
Faith doesn’t just protect – it unites. Roman soldiers would lock their shields together, forming a wall of defense. That’s a picture of what happens when believers stand together. Your faith strengthens mine, and mine strengthens yours. I have a group of friends, family, and subscribers that encourage me to silence my attacks and post these thoughts. Without them – I am not sure I would push through. Alone, a single shield can be heavy. Together, a wall of faith can stop an army.
So, when life feels like a battlefield – when doubt fires from every angle – take up your shield. Lift it high. Remember who you’re fighting for and who’s fighting for you.
“This is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” – 1 John 5:4
Prayer from Wild at Heart: Jesus, I lift against every lie and every assault, confidence that you are good, and that you have good in store for me. Nothing is coming today that can overcome me because you are with me.
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