The crabapples came from out of nowhere as soon as I walked out the door. I couldn’t see where the enemy was firing from. Still, it didn’t take me long to discover that the “enemies” were my two younger brothers, one on each of the crabapple trees in our front yard, just waiting for me to walk down the sidewalk unsuspecting so they could begin bombing me with those hard little green apples. 

Growing up with two younger brothers meant there was always a battle of some kind, and regardless of what sort of a battlefield I found myself on, I discovered the one item necessary was a good shield. Whether made of cardboard or some scrap metal we would find lying around or my heavy chore coat thrown over my head, a shield made the difference between vulnerability and protection from an apple lobbed at my head. 

We often take for granted the way our faith works to protect us. We might see how faith strengthens and upholds us, how it comforts and gives us a sense of peace. But I wonder how often we take hold of our faith as a shield to protect us from the attacks of the enemy?

Ephesians 6:16 goes on to describe this vital piece of the armor of God, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” The shield talked about in this verse, the thyreos, was as big as a door, long and wide; it would cover the entire body of the Roman soldier, protecting him from swords, arrows, darts, and spears. These shields were made of two layers of wood and then overlaid with animal hide and iron to extinguish any fiery darts or arrows that pierced the shield. 

We often take for granted the way our faith works to protect us. We might see how faith strengthens and upholds us, how it comforts and gives us a sense of peace. But I wonder how often we take hold of our faith as a shield to protect us from the attacks of the enemy?

Jana M. Fraley

It was an invaluable piece of armor that would block blows and arrows, defending and protecting the entire body, especially the most vulnerable parts – the head and the heart. As long as a soldier had his shield, he felt secure and protected. 

The same is true for the Christian warrior. As long as we have faith in Christ covering us like a shield, we are safe within its protection. Faith comes to the aid of a Believer in every attack from Satan, especially those attacks on the most vulnerable parts – our heads and our hearts. 

Paul not only compares our faith in God as a type of spiritual shield, he tells us to put it on “Above All” (NKJV), “In all circumstances” (ESV), or “In addition to all this” (NIV). Meaning that we put on this faith continually, in every circumstance, for every situation, trusting God, His Word, and His promises to effectively protect us against the enemy who tempts us and the sin he tempts with. When the enemy shoots at us, he uses arrows of accusation, insults, temptation, shame, setbacks, and deceptions. We can respond by using the “shield of faith” – words and actions determined by our faith in God and our choice to walk that faith out in obedience and trust. 

Satan knows our vulnerabilities; he knows precisely where to shoot and what kind of ammunition to use to wound us the most, to knock us out of the fight, and to render us ineffective in the battle for God’s kingdom. Without that shield of faith protecting us, we are sitting ducks left exposed and at risk for attack.

Can I be honest and tell you that I would often prefer to find the quickest escape and way out of the battle? I’d love to sneak out of the fray and find a safe, quiet, and peaceful place where there’s no conflict. I’d prefer to leave the fight to those more experienced in this kind of warfare because it seems too big and scary, and I feel too small and weak.

But God has called me to participate in this spiritual battle, not sit on the sidelines. The truth is the battle is big and scary, and I am small and weak, but it isn’t my battle.

I need to fix my eyes on God, Who is not small, weak, ineffective, or powerless. This is God’s battle, and faith gives me the courage to enter in with the assurance of His covering and protection. Faith in God blesses me with a greater perspective of the actual battle I’m fighting. I’m able to see beyond my circumstances, the conflict, and the way Satan is attacking me, to the ultimate victory that belongs to God. If I duck out of the battle, I don’t get to be a part of that victory!

So many of us are facing battles that leave us feeling worn and ragged, and Paul is encouraging us in our faith and trust in God because faith requires a patient endurance to continue fighting even when we feel that it’s a losing battle. With a faith that we firmly grab hold of, we have the assurance and belief that God is Who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. Our faith can be battle-ready when it relies on the faithfulness of the Lord. 

Satan’s attacks come from many different directions; he’ll cause discouragement and defeat with his evil schemes, sinful temptations, hard circumstances, challenging relationships, and ongoing conflict. It’s like he’s shooting arrow after arrow at us, and we can’t catch a breath from the onslaught. But when it seems we can’t go on, God hands us a shield that offers us full protection from these attacks.

1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” Our enemies might be mighty, and we may be without strength on our own to defeat them. But our Redeemer is the Almighty, and in the power of His might, we will overcome the enemy. As Believers in Jesus, we are automatically considered Overcomers, given the tools we need to conquer and defeat the enemy. 

Any time you feel the fiery arrows of Satan’s attacks coming at you from all sides, know that your faith in God, in His might, power, and greatness, is your shield. Satan doesn’t stand a chance against that kind of protection.