The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

Ephesians

Feb 10

The Shield of Faith and Deflecting the Enemy’s Attacks

Faith as Our Defense

Ephesians 6:16 declares, “With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Paul, writing to the Ephesians, uses the imagery of a Roman soldier’s shield to explain faith’s role in spiritual warfare. The shield wasn’t a small, decorative piece; it was large, curved, and capable of covering the entire body when used properly. More than that, soldiers could lock their shields together, forming a defensive wall that was nearly impenetrable. This is how faith functions—it is both personal and communal, a means of individual protection and a shared defense within the body of Christ.

Faith is more than intellectual agreement with theological truths; it is deep trust in the living God. Throughout the New Testament, faith is the means by which believers stand firm, resist temptation, and receive salvation. Jesus consistently pointed to faith as the key to seeing God’s power at work. He told the disciples, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22), linking faith directly to trust in divine authority. Paul reiterates this theme, teaching that righteousness comes through faith (Romans 3:22), not through works or self-sufficiency. The writer of Hebrews dedicates an entire chapter to the “hall of faith,” recounting how men and women—Abraham, Moses, Rahab—stood firm because they believed God’s promises, even without immediate evidence.

Faith is what enables us to stand when everything else is shaking. It is what allows us to keep moving forward when the enemy bombards us with doubts, fears, and trials. It is not blind optimism or mere positive thinking but an unwavering confidence in God’s character and His faithfulness throughout history.

The Flaming Arrows of the Evil One

Paul’s imagery of flaming arrows suggests that the attacks of the enemy are not only inevitable but varied. The enemy does not strike with a single type of weapon; he launches attacks in different forms—temptation, doubt, discouragement, fear, and even complacency. Flaming arrows were designed to cause panic, to set fire to the battlefield, and to weaken the soldier’s resolve. If not extinguished quickly, they could cause lasting damage.

One of the most effective arrows Satan fires is doubt. We see this tactic as early as the Garden of Eden when the serpent asked Eve, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). Casting doubt on God’s word and His goodness has been a primary strategy ever since. Jesus encountered this in the wilderness when Satan twisted Scripture to tempt Him (Matthew 4:1-11). Each time, Jesus responded with faith—faith in the truth of God’s Word.

Fear is another powerful arrow. When Peter walked on water, he was doing the impossible—until fear set in. The moment he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, he began to sink (Matthew 14:28-31). Jesus didn’t say Peter lacked courage; He said he lacked faith. Faith, then, is what keeps us from sinking, what allows us to stand firm when fear threatens to pull us under.

Faith Is a Gift, Not a Feeling

The shield of faith isn’t something we craft through sheer determination. It is given to us by God. Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”Faith is not about feeling strong; it’s about trusting the One who is strong. It’s not about pretending everything is fine; it’s about holding onto God’s promises when nothing seems fine at all.

Many of the greatest figures in the Bible struggled with doubt and fear. Abraham, the father of faith, had moments of uncertainty (Genesis 17:17). David, a man after God’s own heart, cried out in despair many times (Psalm 22:1-2). Even John the Baptist, who proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, later sent his disciples to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Matthew 11:3). Yet in every case, their faith was not defined by the moments of struggle but by their ultimate trust in God’s faithfulness.

Holding the Shield Together: The Role of Community

One of the most powerful aspects of a Roman shield was its ability to connect with others. Soldiers didn’t fight alone; they stood side by side, linking their shields to form a wall. This is a vital lesson for us—faith is not meant to be lived in isolation. The early church thrived because believers supported one another, strengthened by shared faith (Acts 2:42-47). When one person wavered, others stood in the gap, lifting them up in prayer, encouragement, and truth.

Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” This is why corporate worship, fellowship, and discipleship are crucial. When our faith feels weak, we need the faith of others to surround us, to remind us of what is true.

Faith in Action: How to Hold the Shield Daily

If faith is our shield, then we need to know how to use it. Here are some ways we can actively take up the shield of faith each day:

Immerse Yourself in God’s Word – Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” Scripture strengthens our faith by reminding us of God’s promises and His past faithfulness.
Pray with Expectation – Faith is exercised in prayer. James 1:6 says, “Ask in faith, never doubting.” This doesn’t mean we will always get what we ask for, but it does mean we trust that God hears and responds according to His will.
Surround Yourself with Faithful Believers – Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron sharpens iron.” Being around other strong believers fortifies our own faith.
Recall God’s Faithfulness – When David faced Goliath, he recalled how God had delivered him from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:37). Remembering past victories strengthens our faith for present battles.
Act on Your Faith – Faith is not just belief; it is trust in action. Hebrews 11 is full of people who did something because they believed God. Faith grows when we step out in obedience, even when we don’t see immediate results.

The Strength of the One We Trust

Faith is what allows us to stand when life feels uncertain. It deflects the lies of the enemy, shields us from despair, and links us together as the body of Christ. And most importantly, our faith is not in ourselves but in the One who is always faithful. When Paul wrote to Timothy, he reminded him: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). The strength of our faith is not in how much we can muster but in the strength of the God we trust.

No matter what arrows come our way, the shield of faith holds. Not because we are strong, but because He is. And that is more than enough.