In previous studies in this series, we talked about the importance of recognizing that we are in a real battle against unseen forces of evil and the nature of that battle. We considered the value of being inwardly empowered by the DUNAMIS of God and how to go about it. We've looked at putting on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness and we've talked about having our feet shod "with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
Today we turn
our attention to the shield of faith.
Eph 6:16, ESV In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
The goal of this study is to...
- come to understand the word pictures Paul uses to describe the importance of faith in spiritual warfare
- come to understand the specific application of "faith" that Paul is trying to express
- leave with a clear understanding of what we can do to activate and grow our faith in such a way that we are able to withstand every fiery attack of the enemy
Flaming Darts
- BELOS- a missile; could refer to darts which were hurled by hand, arrows which were propelled by bow, or spears which could be launched by hand or throwing machine
Most likely Paul was thinking of flaming arrows, one of the
most dreaded weapons of his day. The simplest flaming arrows had oil- or resin-
soaked cloth tied just below the arrowhead. These were mainly used against
wooden structures. Other arrows were more advanced and would have been more
terrifying. Some had hollow tips which were packed with combustible material.
Others had iron boxes and tubes attached to them which were filled with
incendiary substances. These arrows came in quickly, so they were hard to see,
and when they hit they would burn or explode.
1 Peter 4:12-13, ESV Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
A study of Scripture reveals two specific types of fiery trials
that can be expected from the enemy:
- psychological and physical attacks because of our commitment to Christ (1 Pet. 4:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:3; 3:10-12)
- temptations to sin ( 1 Cor. 10:6-13: Jam. 1:12-15)
The Shield
The Roman army utilized a variety of shields but Paul
chooses a very specific term to describe the shield of faith - THURA, which
comes from the Greek word for door. The THURA was approximately 52 inches high
and twenty-five inches wide, which means it was designed to protect the whole
body. THURA were made of two layers of wood (a primitive form of plywood) and
were frequently lined with brass. Most importantly, these shields were covered
with several layers of leather and before battle they would be soaked with water,
which would effectively extinguish the flaming arrows.
Ps 115:9-11, ESV O Israel, trust in the Lord!He is their help and their shield.10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!He is their help and their shield.11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!He is their help and their shield.
The Shield of Faith
- PISTIS- reliance, trust, confidence, belief, faith
As used in the New Testament, PISTIS essentially means
"a trustful human response to God's self revelation via His words or
actions."
Heb 11:1,6 AMP NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].... But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
This defines the essence of faith, but no single Scripture
passage or definition can capture the full meaning of biblical, kingdom faith.
We can get a little closer to the full meaning by viewing faith from four
perspectives:
- Saving faith... the inner conviction that leads to an outward response that results in salvation, when someone hears the good news about Jesus (Rom. 10:8-10; Eph. 2:8)
- Belief in the body of truth revealed in the Bible, often referred to as "the faith" (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 3:9; 4:1)
- Specific faith for a specific circumstance or need (Matt. 9:20-22; Acts 14:9)
- Trust or confidence in the ability, constant availability and ever willingness of God to guide and protect me
- All three are attributes are essential for trust to be well founded.
It is this fourth perspective of faith that Paul is emphasizing as he writes of the shield of faith... an overarching confidence on the part of the believer in God's ability, constant availability and willingness to protect from and give victory over every fiery attack of the enemy.
Trust in the ability, constant availability and willingness of God to protect is the faith "...with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one."
An example might be my confidence in FedEx to deliver an important letter by the next morning. They have developed the organization and the systems for overnight delivery. They have the equipment and human resources available. And they are willing and ready to take care of my overnight delivery need. When all of this is combined with their reputation for millions of successful, on time deliveries, I have good reason to trust that they will take care of my letter.
An example might be my confidence in FedEx to deliver an important letter by the next morning. They have developed the organization and the systems for overnight delivery. They have the equipment and human resources available. And they are willing and ready to take care of my overnight delivery need. When all of this is combined with their reputation for millions of successful, on time deliveries, I have good reason to trust that they will take care of my letter.
 |
| When it positively, absolutely has to be there overnight.... |
Rom 8:37-39, NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Cor 1:8-10, ESV For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.
2 Tim 1:12b, ESV ...for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
Common theme in
the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms
Ps 62:5-8, ESV For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,for my hope is from him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation,my fortress; I shall not be shaken.7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;my mighty rock, my refuge is God.8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;God is a refuge for us.
Ps 71:1-5, ESV In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;let me never be put to shame!2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;incline your ear to me, and save me!3 Be to me a rock of refuge,to which I may continually come;you have given the command to save me,for you are my rock and my fortress.4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.5 For you, O Lord, are my hope,my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Ps 91:1-6, ESV He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust."3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowlerand from the deadly pestilence.4 He will cover you with his pinions,and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.5 You will not fear the terror of the night,nor the arrow that flies by day,6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.Ps 9:9-10The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,a stronghold in times of trouble.10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
The best way to build and strengthen this aspect of faith is
by meditating on the passages of Scripture that highlight and celebrate the
ability, constant availability and ever willingness of God to guide and
protect.
Rom 10:17, ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
One more way
this aspect of faith is built and strengthened - the Testudo Formation
The historian Plutarch , when writing about Mark Antony's
invasion of Parthia in 36 BC, described the TESTUDO formation that soldiers
carrying the THURA would make when attacked by a cascade of arrows:
Then the shield-bearers wheeled round and enclosed the light-armed troops within their ranks, dropped down to one knee, and held their shields out as a defensive barrier. The men behind them held their shields over the heads of the first rank, while the third rank did the same for the second rank. The resulting shape, which is a remarkable sight, looks very like a roof, and is the surest protection against arrows, which just glance off it.
The Roman historian Cassius , writing about the same
military campaign, described the TESTUDO formation this way:
The Baggage animals, the light-armed troops, and the cavalry are placed in the center of the army. The heavy-armed troops who use the oblong, curved and cylindrical shields are drawn up around the outside, making a rectangular figure, and, facing outward and holding their arms at the ready, they enclose the rest. The others who have flat shields, form a compact body in the center and raise their shields over the heads of all the others, so that nothing but shields can be seen in every part of the phalanx alike and all the men by the density of the formation are under shelter from missiles. Indeed, it is so marvelously strong that men can walk upon it and whenever they come to a narrow ravine, even horses and vehicles can be driven over it.
Rom 1:11-13, ESV For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
This is the essence of Heb. 10:24-25 (read 10:19-25).
