Full-body Faith

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

Ephesians 6:16

Roman soldiers used two kinds of shields in battle. There was a small, round shield used in close-quarter combat, and a large, door-sized shield used when troops were advancing across an open plain. When the enemy fired a barrage of arrows, Roman soldiers linked their shields together and crouched behind them—total protection from the incoming barbs.

It is the latter shield—the large, body-sized one—that Paul says Christians are to take up as part of our spiritual armor. And that shield is a metaphor for faith. It is the Christian’s faith that is our best “full-body” defense against the attacks of Satan. Here’s why: Satan’s primary objective in spiritual warfare is to discredit God in the eyes of believers. If he can make us believe God is not to be trusted, then we become easy prey for his circumstantial attacks against us. Therefore, faith—unshakable, undeniable, impenetrable faith in the goodness of God—is our number one shield against Satan’s attacks.

If you have any thoughts today about whether God is good and faithful, cast them aside! Take up your shield of faith and protect yourself from the enemy’s attacks.

Our assurance is only as strong as our faith.

R. C. SPROUL