The Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16

“...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”


Paul continues his comparison to the Roman soldier. He refers here to a shield they used, specifically one that covered the whole body and was covered in leather. When flaming darts collided with the shield their points didn't penetrate far, and the flames were extinguished.

Paul says the faith of a Christian quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Satan throws at us tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, sword, peril etc. (Romans 8:35). These missiles are deadly. They create doubt, lust, greed, vanity, envy etc. The only way to repel this is by looking to God and placing our trust in him.

We see the power of faith when we read Luke 8:40-55. It was faith that healed the woman with the flow of blood (Luke 8:48). Things looked completely hopeless to Jairus when news came of the death of his daughter. However Jesus responds, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:49-50).

Faith is more than a defensive weapon. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). The victory is already won, even though the battle is not yet over! Faith in Jesus means we too share in the victory. Jesus has set us free from Satan's power. Thus faith in Jesus means we can overcome our daily struggles.

Satan may attack us. He may throw his deadly flaming darts at us. But we can resist him by our faith (James 4:7).

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

Put up your shield when Satan attacks you with temptations and persecutions. “Do not be afraid; only believe!”

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).