What Is the Shield of Faith in the Armor of God?
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The shield of faith is a unique weapon in the armor of God because it is designed to protect, yet it also helps you stand your ground. In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us this command:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
This passage makes it clear that the Christian’s mandate is to stand firm. As you put on the whole armor of God, there is a role the shield of faith plays. So, let’s see what it is and how it works.
Where Does the Bible Mention the Shield of Faith?
Later in the same passage in Ephesians 6, Paul introduces us to the shield of faith as part of the armor of God.
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16)
While all the weapons collectively are designed to help you stand, the shield of faith is the one weapon designated with a primary purpose (extinguishing the enemy’s flaming arrows). We will look at what this means a little later.
Does Only One Person Hold the Shield of Faith?
There are some Bible teachers who would argue the armor of God is something we collectively put on as a Christian community. The basis for an argument like this comes from the way Roman soldiers would use their shields in battle. There were two types of shields Roman soldiers used in combat. The smaller one was called a Parma which was circular and was primarily used in close hand-to-hand combat. The larger one was called a Scutum which fits what Paul is talking about here, especially because of the way the Scutum was used. This shield was much larger in size, about four feet tall and about two and a half feet wide. This shield was also much heavier weighing in over 20 pounds. This was not a shield that was used in close hand to hand combat by individual soldiers but was used in formation with a group of soldiers. Here is a description of the shield from Bible teacher Rick Renner.
“The word “shield” is the Greek word thureos, which was used by the Greeks and Romans to depict an oblong door that was wide in width and long in length. The reason the Roman soldiers used this word to describe their battle shields was that the shields were door-shaped. They were wide in width and long in length; just like the door of a house.”
When the Romans were in combat, they would use a “testudo” formation which protected all sides as they fought in battle. In this formation, the soldiers would come together in a tight group. The outside soldiers would use their shields to form a wall around the unit, and the inside soldiers would raise their shields to protect them should they face attacks from above. Working together in this fashion allowed them to either stand their ground or march forward.
Thinking of the church putting on the shield of faith collectively is very effective and practical. It maximizes its impact, especially if the church stands collectively against the enemy. However, I believe we each have an individual responsibility to take up the shield of faith. The whole point of the armor is for you to be able to stand whether you are in a group or alone. While there is strength in numbers, the enemy does not always attack when other believers surround you. He typically waits until you are all alone. For this reason, the shield is not just a community thing but an individual thing. Whether you are in a group or by yourself, you can take your shield of faith and use it to extinguish the enemy’s fiery darts.
What Does Faith Shield Us From?
I have referred to it twice, so let’s talk about the fiery darts of the enemy the shield of faith protects you from. When the Romans were fighting, sometimes their enemies used arrows or spears filled with combustible or flammable liquid. I guess it was an early version of a Molotov cocktail. These fiery arrows were designed to hit and burn the soldier. However, when the soldiers had their shields up and in the right position, they were protected from these arrows.
The enemy attacks in the same manner. He sends fiery darts in our direction to destroy our faith and confidence in who God is, what God has said, and who we are in Christ. These darts can include discouragement, delay, disappointment, distraction, and deception. Regardless of which dart he chooses to throw at you, they are designed to lower your faith. Once he has accomplished that goal, he has lowered one of your primary defenses.
How Does the Shield of Faith Work Alongside the Other Pieces of Armor?
The shield of faith is a defensive weapon and one that is designed to help you stand your ground. The shield of faith is foundational to your defense against the enemy. Remember, the shield is the only weapon mentioned that is connected to a specific role. Because of the defensive nature of the weapon, the shield of faith increases the effectiveness of the other weapons. The shield of faith is a “first line of defense” weapon. Think of the walled cities you read about in the Bible and stories from history. The walls protected the cities; for an enemy to conquer a walled city, he had to breach the walls first. The shield of faith is that wall for you.
How Do We Put on the Shield of Faith Today?
When the enemy is throwing fiery darts at you, how do you extinguish them with the shield of faith? First, it helps to know what faith is. Faith is confidence that God is who he said he is, and he will do what he said he would do. (If you would like a further definition, you can read the article “What is Faith?”)
When the fiery darts come, you can put up your shield by reminding yourself of who God is and what he has said. Let me give you an example. The enemy might throw a dart at you telling you God has given up on you, you have sinned too much, and he has no desire to forgive you anymore. There is only one way to extinguish this dart: by placing faith in who God is and what God has said.
Here are some things God has said about this.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
You can be assured that God will never give up on you, and to the one who repents, he will forgive. This is the way you extinguish every fiery dart of the enemy. You take up the shield of faith by reminding yourself of who God is and what he has said, putting your confidence in those words. When you take up your shield of faith in this manner, you will be able to stand regardless of what the enemy throws at you.
Further Reading:
Wearing the Full Armor of God as a Community
What Is the Purpose of the Breastplate of Righteousness?
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