SHIELDED

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-17

Verse 16: “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

According to Ephesians 6, the whole armor of God makes us able to withstand in the evil day. We are to stand taking the shield of faith. Roman soldiers used two types of shields. A smaller round shield, called a buckler, was used for individual hand to hand combat. The type of shield referred to in verse 16 was known as a scutum. It was a 4 x 2 foot shield that provided much better protection from enemy arrows. The scutum is the type of protection we have to defend us from the darts or arrows of our  enemy the devil. These arrows can be viewed as progressive as he presses his attacks. At first he attempts to pierce us with the arrow of questions about God’s truth. His next step is to use arrows of doubt that he wants to sink into our thoughts. Then, even more serious is his use of the arrow of unbelief to attempt to penetrate into hearts. Finally, he tries to mortally wound people spiritually with arrows of disbelief to separate them from God. However, the people of God are well defended. The scutum shield of faith is our full protection from them all! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How do you react to the affirmation that you are protected by the shield of faith?

2. What is the effect does our protection have on the devil?