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Ephesians 6:16 - Christian Armor; Taking Up Faith.

Ephesians 6:16: Christian Armor; Taking Up Faith.

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

INTRODUCTION

   The Shield is Faith which is our complete reliance on God. 
Faith means total dependence on God and willingness to do his will. It 
is not something we put on for a show for others. It means 
believing in his promises even though we don't see those promises 
materializing yet. God gives faith to protect the believer (Eph 2:8). (See 
James 1:31 and Peter 1:7 for more on faith as the key to victory.) 
   When the enemy, the ruler of this world (John 12:31), sends 
his flaming arrows of temptation, doubt, wrath, lust, despair, 
vengeance, problems, and trials into our lives, we can hold up our shields 
and quench them. We are assured that "whatever is born of God 
conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our 
faith" (1 John 5:4 NRSV). We must take hold of God's full resources. 
Faith gives us the strength to stand against Satan with firm courage, 
even when he uses his most fearsome weapons. (Life Application 
Commentary) 

COMMENTARY

We start our day by dressing appropriately for the weather or an 
activity. But many believers leave the house unprepared - they fail to arm 
themselves for spiritual warfare. Our FIRST PRAYER BEFORE RISING should 
include step-by-step application of God's armor. [Life Principles SB By 
Charles Stanley] 

The Christian soldiers consciousness of Gods presence is 
so great that GODS PRESENCE ITSELF BECOMES HIS SHIELD and 
defender (Genesis 15:1). As Scripture says, God is his help and shield 
(Psalm 33:20; Psalm 84:9), his sun and shield (Psalm 84:11). 
[Preachers  Outline & Sermon Bible] 

God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask 
or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us 
(3:20). If we KEEP OUR EYES ON THIS GOD, all Satans fiery darts will 
be extinguished. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

   In Ephesians 6:16, Paul refers to "the shield of faith." 
Prayerfully, we must ask ourselves this question: How does faith act as a 
protective shield? First of all, we must understand what faith is and how 
the word is being used here by Paul.  
   A little boy, when asked to give a definition of faith, said: 
"Faith is believing something you know isn't true. Well, that is 
precisely what faith is not! Faith is believing what you know to be true! 
But it is even more than that - it is acting on what you know to be 
true.  
   Some people see faith as something vague and mysterious, but 
faith is one of the Christian's most practical commodities. Take this 
verse, for example: "faith without works is dead" (Jms 2:26). THERE IS 
ALWAYS THE ELEMENT OF ACTIVITY IN FAITH; it prompts us to action. "Now 
faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not 
seen" (Heb 11:1).  
   Taking the shield of faith, then, is responding to the things 
the Devil hurls at us by the quick application of what we believe 
about God and His Word, the Bible. When Satan sends his "flaming 
arrows" in our direction, we can either stand and lament the fact that 
we are being attacked, or quickly raise the shield of faith and 
remind ourselves that the Devil is a liar from the very beginning. We 
affirm that because we are redeemed by the blood of Christ, the Devil 
has no legal or moral right to taunt us. But believing this is not 
enough; it must be acted on - and acted on quickly.  
   Father, I see that when Satan throws his "flaming arrows" at 
me, I must act and act quickly. Help my faith to be so strong that 
it will not need a "jump start" to get it going. This I ask in 
Jesus' name. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes 
devotional re Rom. 10:17] 

ILLUSTRATION

I Am Your Shield"
   Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as 
righteousness. Gen. 15:6 
   It is no good saying you believe God is stronger than the 
Devil if you do not act on that belief. Faith not only believes this 
but acts on it by quickly standing up to the Devil and saying 
something similar to what David said when he stood before Goliath: You 
come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against 
you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts (1 Sam. 17:45). You must never 
forget that God is much more powerful than the Devil. Hold on to that, 
and quickly raise your shield whenever you experience an attack of 
Satans fiery darts. 
   The passage that introduces this devotion focuses on an 
incident in Abrahams life that took place when he was exhausted after 
making a great stand. Doubtless, Satan would have attacked him with 
thoughts like: What is the point of all this action of God on your 
behalf and all these promises when you do not have an heir to carry on 
your line? God doesn't seem to have as much power as it would 
appear. 
   Abraham was fearful at this point until the Lord came to him 
and gave him these glorious words: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am 
your shield; your reward will be very great (Gen. 15:1) 
   I am your shield. Hold on to that great truth, my 
friend, and when under attack, quickly lift it up and remind the Devil 
that you belong to One whose power is endless and eternal. His 
promises are ever sure. THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO HOLDUP THE SHIELD OF 
FAITH. 
   O God, how grateful I am for the sureness and certainty of 
Your Word. Once again I feel it entering into the core of my being. 
Help me to put these truths into practice the very moment I come 
under satanic attack. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. [Every Day With 
Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotionals re Gen. 15:6] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It 
is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not 
feel guilty about taking time to be with Me. Remember that Satan is 
the accuser of believers. He delights in heaping guilt feelings upon 
you, especially when you are enjoying My Presence. When you feel 
Satan's arrows of accusation, you are probably on the right track. Use 
your shield of faith to protect yourself from him. Talk with Me about 
what you are experiencing, and ask Me to show you the way forward. 
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to Me, and I 
will come near to you. (Rev. 12:10; Eph. 6:16; Jam. 4:7, 8) [Jesus 
Calling by Sarah Young] 

   Bring Me all your feelings, even the ones you wish you didn't 
have. Fear and anxiety still plague you. Feelings per se are not 
sinful, but they can be temptations to sin. Blazing missiles of fear fly 
at you day and night; these attacks from the evil one come at you 
relentlessly. Use your shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. 
Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel. If you persist, 
your feelings will eventually fall in line with your faith.  
   Do not hide from your fear or pretend it isn't there. Anxiety 
that you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to fear 
of fear: a monstrous mutation. Bring your anxieties out into the 
Light of My Presence, where we can deal with them together. 
Concentrate on trusting Me. and fearfulness will gradually lose its foothold 
within you. (Eph. 6:16; 1Jo. 1:5-7; Isa. 12:2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah 
Young] 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE

Musical Devotional On Christian Living: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/

ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657