Ephesians 6:16
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one …”.
The enemy will fire arrows of temptation, doubt, discouragement, and fear at us. We feel those arrows. We feel the lure of temptation. We feel the uncertainty of doubt. We feel the hopelessness of discouragement. We feel the anxiety and fear.
It is precisely at those points of attack—when we have those feelings—that we must employ the shield of faith.
When the enemy attacks with doubt, the shield of faith says, “I trust who God is.”
When the enemy attacks with discouragement, the shield of faith says, “I trust what God is doing and I will not lose heart.”
When the enemy attacks with difficulties, the shield of faith says, “Adversity makes me stronger. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
When the enemy attacks with fear and anxiety, the shield of faith says, “God loves me and sent his Son to die for me. He has claimed me for his own, and I belong to him. I trust him with my life.”
When the enemy attacks us with impure thoughts and temptations, the shield of faith says, “The Lord calls me to holiness and righteousness. I reject those thoughts and that temptation. I embrace God’s standards.”
These are the attacks we will experience. This is the battle we must fight and win. The shield of faith is essential.
Here is what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, the young pastor at the church in Ephesus: “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
May it be so with us.
Coram Deo
