Week 19: The Shield - Part 5: The Grand Finale

Well, we finally made it to the conclusion of our study of the armour of God. Our final piece of attire is the Shield of Faith. Now, let me remind you when we started this study that our goal was to find out why we are instructed to take the shield of faith above all the other armour pieces. Let’s read the scripture again for a refresher. Ephesians 6:16 states, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

During the day of the Roman soldier, research indicates that the shield was semicircular in shape so as to deflect arrows to one side of the other. It was usually wooden and covered with leather. Most of the shields had iron or brass rims along the edges. A soldier held to the shield with a leather strap that was secured to the back. Often, the front of the shield would sport a metal projection of some type to stun or wind an opponent so that a thrust of the sword could be applied. As soldiers approached the enemy, they would cover themselves with the shield. At times the soldiers would battle in groups and create an almost tortoise shell appearance with the shields so as to repel incoming arrows and to advance forward in the attack. However, the most intriguing aspect of the shield, was not so much a component of the shield as it was technique. Before going into battle, a soldier would soak the front of his shield in water. Now remember, I said earlier that shields were usually covered with leather. So, when soldiers had fiery arrows shot their way, the flame was snuffed out when it hit the drenched leather.

Now keeping that in mind, let’s look at the spiritual parallel of a Christian’s shield.

Why is the shield seemingly emphasized as the most important piece of battle attire? In Hebrew 11:1 we read that “faith the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In a nutshell, faith is taking God at His word. Although we can’t always know how things will turn out, we should believe and press forward regardless. After all, it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6).

You see, the shield and the sword are really the only two pieces of the whole armour that we use to actually combat with. All of the other pieces serve more as protective coverings; however, even our sword can become ineffective if we don’t have faith in the scripture we are learning. So, you can see why everything else relies on the shield…or our faith.

We must make sure though that we do not let our shield get dried out and parched. We have to keep it saturated. How do we do that? We have to read the Bible and pray and let our senses be constantly absorbing the things of God. This saturates our shield with faith and then we are able to snuff out all fiery darts that come our way. Otherwise, if the devil gets that fiery dart into our shield and it starts to smolder there, the shield will eventually crumble and leave us exposed to all sorts of attack. That is why it was and is so important for the shield to be soaked prior to the battle.

When we are attacked, and we throw up our shield of faith, we stun the opponent and he staggers backward. As he does, we have time to counter our attack with our sword and thrust the Word of God at the devil. The shield of faith is our weapon. If we take away the shield, our whole body is exposed. Yes, we may be saved, we may know some scripture, we may be ready and willing to share the gospel, but without faith, these other areas of our spiritual life have no foundation. Scripture becomes just pretty words if there is no belief behind them. The gospel becomes just another good story but with no eternal value if not believed.

Take time to read back over all of the armour pieces we have discussed. Pray daily for the Lord to help clothe you in each piece. Above all though, take up your shield and soak yourself in the Lord. You can have complete victory in Jesus.

I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the word, even our faith.




References


Holy Bible, KJV

Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&v=16&t=KJV#16


Shield of Faith, http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/armor-of-god-5.htm

Week 18: The Shield - Part 4: The Sword

Our final piece of armour before we conclude with the Shield of Faith is the Sword of the Spirit.

A soldier’s sword was usually made of iron and then coated with coal dust to harden it. The handle was often made of various materials such as ivory, bone, wood, or metal. The sword was used both defensively and offensively. Defensively, it was used to deflect enemy blows. Offensively, it was used as a means of counter attack against the enemy until the individual was either seriously wounded or killed. The Greek definition of the term sword plainly states that the sword’s purpose was to cut and kill.

Used spiritually, the sword manifest itself much like its physical usage. In Ephesians, 6:17 the Sword of the Spirit is called the Word of God. In John 1:1 we learn that Jesus is the Word. Jesus is described in Revelation 19: 13 again as having the name the Word of God and we see in verse 15 that a two-edged sword goes out of His mouth to smite the nations who have rejected Him. So, Christ Himself is the Word of God and the Bible is His written word. II Timothy 3:16 tells that all scripture is inspired by God and was prophesied and eventually penned by men as they were led by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21). Knowing all of this, we can rest assured in the words of Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s word makes an impression when and wherever it’s used.

Thus, the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) is fully able to help us combat Satan and cut down his strongholds. Joshua 1:8 instructs us that the Bible is to be studied, learned, and lived. When the Word is memorized and meditated upon, it becomes natural to use it in battle. When we use our Bible as a shelf decoration, we are not equipped when the battles arise, and they will arise. Like an actual physical sword, when the Bible is used defensively, it deflects Satan’s blows of lies, doubts, and temptations with truths about God, His character, and His purpose for our lives. Furthermore, when used offensively, it helps to strengthen the inner man. The more we read it, the more we believe it and the more we believe it, the more we are apt to use it when attacked. It simply becomes part of who we are. Remember when Satan attacked Christ in the wilderness, he used the Bible against Him. He quoted scriptures out of context to tempt Christ. Now, I am of the opinion that Christ could not have sinned, because even though He was fully man on earth, He was still fully God. I honestly can’t explain that any further…there are just some things that have to be accepted totally by faith. Nevertheless, Christ fought back with scripture used in the proper context. Obviously Christ knew the scriptures inside and out…He wrote them, but the point is this, if we don’t meditate and memorize them, we may not recognize when the devil is attacking us with a counterfeit scripture. Let’s face it. The devil may not be omniscient, but he’s not stupid either. He knows if he can trip us up with our own armour, he can get a good blow in that might just knock us off our feet. Thus, it is imperative that we take heed to Joshua 1:8 and strive to follow its commands.

Memorizing and using scripture is an extremely powerful part of our Christian armour, and when used properly, it helps protect our other armour against the enemy. Think about it like this, when a soldier was in battle, the sword was used to fight off or deflect the blows that could reach the vital organs. A soldier would swing and thrust it to block impacts to the other parts of the body. Thus, the fewer impacts to the interior of the body, the longer the soldier could remain strong and alert in the heat of the battle.

All the same, the more scripture we know and use to fight off the blows of the devil before they hit our inner spiritual beings, the stronger our other armour, or spiritual lives, remain.
So, take up your sword and cherish it. If it has been shelved, blow off the dust and meditate on it. Commit it to memory and when the devil comes your way….swing away and cut him to pieces. When you resist the devil, he will flee from you (James 4:7), and there is simply nothing better than seeing the enemy retreat when you’ve been in battle!

References

Holy Bible, KJV

Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&v=17&t=KJV#17

Sword of the Spirit, http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/armor-of-god-7.htm

Week 17: The Shield - Part 3: Dyed for Royalty

This week we will take a look at the Helmet of Salvation in our study of the armour of God.

The helmet's obvious purpose was to protect the head and neck. Research indicated that the typical Roman soldier’s helmet was made from bronze or iron. Many of the helmets had two hinged side pieces to help protect the cheekbones and jaws. The inside of the helmet was often lined with sponge or felt for comfort. Often, the tops of helmets were adorned with dyed horsehair plumes that were removed during battle. A soldier’s rank was distinguished by the color of the plume.

So, why is the helmet important for a Christian soldier? Well, the answer to that is two-fold. The obvious protection provided by the helmet is eternal salvation from hell. Once we have accepted Christ as the Savior and Son of God, we have the helmet of salvation applied. However, the second purpose is for continual daily salvation from temptations and sin. It helps us guard our minds by providing us with hope. The Greek word for the term salvation as used in Ephesians 6:17 is “perikephalaia” meaning protection of the soul which consists in the hope of salvation. When we keep our minds guarded and focused on the Lord, we experience this hope and are able to perform our daily routines in a rational, composed, Christ-like manner. Yet, if we don’t properly suit up and we leave our heads exposed, we can get hit with the cares of this world and live in defeat and hopelessness (and we find ourselves portrayed like the old saying “running around like a chicken with our heads cut off!”) Have you ever experienced such mental franticness? Needless to say, it’s not a pretty sight, is it? Friend, the Lord never intended for us to live a frantic Christian life. I am so guilty of leaving my helmet off. I get caught up in all of the duties that I have with work, taking care of my home, fulfilling my wife and motherly duties, and well, you get the picture. Then, about halfway through the day, I can find myself downright beside myself. I’ve left my mind unguarded, picked up worry, fears, and franticness and I start to mentally look like a decapitated chicken….left in this state too long and I can begin to look this way outwardly too! Ever been there? No doubt, we all probably have at some time or another. That is why Christ says to put on the helmet of salvation that He has given to us. We can rest in the peace and comfort of the helmet knowing that we have hope in an omnipotent, omniscient Father. Nothing takes Him by surprise and He is fully capable of handling all of our cares. So, when you arise each day, slip on your helmet and know that you look fabulous to Christ as you place your hope in Him and don your plume that is undoubtedly dyed for royalty. After all, you are a child of the King.

References

Holy Bible, KJV

Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&v=17&t=KJV#17

Helmet of Salvation, http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/armor-of-god-6.htm

Week 16: The Shield - Part 2: A Protected Heart and Pretty Feet

We will pick up this week with our study of the armour of God and look at 2 more pieces of a prepared soldier's attire.

The second item of armour mentioned in Eph. 6:14 is the breastplate of righteousness. I have heard debate and read varying descriptions over whether or not a breastplate was armour that primarily covered the chest and lower abdominal area or armour that covered these areas as well as one's back. Either way, the intent of the piece was to protect all the vital organs, especially the heart and lungs. Without this critical piece of armour, a soldier was vulnerable to potentially fatal wounds.

In spiritual comparison, the breastplate of righteousness serves to protect our vital spiritual organ, the heart. The Bible instructs us in Proverbs 4:23 to "keep [our] heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life." I think the righteousness mentioned here can be described two-fold. First, when a person accepts Christ as Savior, he or she beomes righteous through Christ for all eternity (Romans 5:19). So, in that sense, we put on a breastplate of righteousness at the moment of our salvation. However, I think we have to strive daily to live a righteous or pleasing life before God. One form of the Greek definition describles righteousness as used here as the "justice or virtue which gives each his due." In other words, could your daily character and walk be said to be righteous by others?

Thus, as our hearts are protected with Christ's righteousness and as we strive to live Christ-like lives, we are able to effectively combat the devil. Believe me, he would like nothing more than to cut a hole straight into the heart of Christ's followers. If you have been saved, he has already lost the battle over your soul; but if he can make your heart weak and vulnerable, he keeps you from effectively participating in the Christian race. Therefore, it's no wonder when he throws the blows of a guilty past directly at our heart. On our own, when we are hit with those kinds of blows, we will undoubtedly crumble because all of our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). However, as we have already established, once we are saved, we are made righteous through the work of Christ on the cross (II Corinthians 5:21), and God has promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

Thus, when our hearts are protected with both aspects of righteousness, we press forward in the battle and work to strengthen fellow Christian soldiers and win more souls for the cause of Christ. Which leads me to our next piece of battle attire.

In verse 15, Christians are instructed to have their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. A soldier who doesn't keep his feet well taken of care of during battle won't last long on the field. I've heard former soldiers' and athelets' stories of how they protected their feet when having to walk or run long distances in order to keep them from becoming sore, blistered, or infected.

The spiritual application here is just as important. If we aren't preparing our feet to take us down paths where we can be a light for Christ, we aren't obeying Christ's commandments. Christ told us in Mark 16:15 to go into all the world and preach the gospel. When we are saved, we have a divine duty and priviledge to tell others of Christ's gospel of peace. A gospel that can save a soul from an eternity in hell and one that brings earthly peace to the believer as well. We have the opportuinity to help others be able to say, "It is well with my soul." Romans 10:15 tells us "how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things." This doesn't mean you have to be a preacher in the professional sense of the word. This simply means telling your faith and sharing your salvation testimony with others. Properly prepared feet are what Christ calls pretty feet.

In closing, let me ask, is your heart protected, and do you have pretty feet? Friend, I hope you do!


References

Holy Bible, KJV

Strong's Concordance of Hebrew & greek Lexicons, http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1343&t=KJV

Breastplate of Righteousness, http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/armor-of-god-3.htm

Sandles of Peace, http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/armor-of-god-4.htm

Week 15: The Shield Part 1

I will have to admit, the idea for this devotion was not originally mine. My husband and I were talking one evening and he mentioned that the verse I am going to share in a moment had blessed him during his alone time with the Lord that day. So, I want to give him credit for sharing his blessing with me. I pray that it will go on to bless and encourage you as well. Then may we all bless and praise the Lord together for giving us His Word.

In Ephesians 6:10-17, we read the famous scriptures discussing the armour of God. There's the breastplate of righteousness and having your loins girted with truth in verse 14. There's the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace in verse 15, the shield of faith in verse 16, and the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit in verse 17.

Verses 10-13 list all the reasons why we Christians need to equip ourselves daily with this armour. It's not so we can combat people we encounter from day to day (although we may feel like some folks need a little Holy whipping every now and then), but it is so we can fight the devil and his army.

Look at verse 11. Here we are instructed to suit up so we can stand up against the wiles of the devil. Verse 12 further tells us that we don't war against flesh and blood (or rather physical, tangible people or things) but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness. It's not the things we can see and touch that can destroy us but the things we can't see and touch. Now don't get me wrong; many people have physically died at the hands of mankind because of their faith, but it was because of the things we can't see that the murderers became who they were. So, you can see why God instructs the believer to be ready for battle.

Now, back to the armour. The verse that really stood out to my husband was verse 16. It states, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." My husband asked me if I had ever really noticed what the verse said. He said he circled the words "above all" and "quench all." You see, the shield of faith though not listed first in the verses was however listed as the most important item to have in battle. Why? Well one reason is because the Bible states in Hebrews 11:6 that it is impossible to please God without faith. But why is it more important than the other items? Why is it introduced with "above all?" I think if we take a comparative look at each piece in relation to the shield, we will gain a better understanding of the shield of faith's significance.

So, starting this week and continuing for the next 2 to 4 weeks, we will discuss this all important battle suit we are to cover ourselves with daily. At the conclusion we will culminate with the shield of faith and why it's significance outweighs the other armour pieces.

The first item we read about is having our loins girt about with truth. On a soldier, this would have been the area around the hips and waist or better the pelvic area. During the time period of the Roman soldier, the purpose for girding up the lions was to give the soldier more mobility. So, a soldier would pull up his tunic between his legs and tie (gird) it around his waist. This kept him mobile and free from entanglement.

As Christians we are to tie up or gird truth around us so we do not become entangled with lies of the devil . Furthermore, when we are equipped in this fashion, we can more easily determine truth from falsehood as we try the spirits and determine whether they are of God or not (1 John 4:1). Remember we battle with unseen forces. Knowing and equipping ourselves with truth keeps us from becoming entangled in Satan's lies (which by the way he often presents as truth with a small twist...read the account of Eve and the serpent.)

Friend, we all need to ask God to help us daily prepare for battle. So, gird your loins with truth and you'll be ready when the devil shoots a lie your way.

References:
Stong's Concordance of Greek and Hebrew Lexicons, http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&v=14&t=KJV#14

Gird Your Loins With Truth, John. D. Cooper, http://www.realarmorofgod.com/gird-your-loins.html