The whole armour of God (VI) Stand taking the shield of faith

This morning’s verse is “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).   “Above all” indicates the primary importance of this shield. It is as though the fiery darts can pierce the other parts of the armour.  The verb quench has to do with extinguishing something on fire, and  in the analogy of the Roman soldiers armour it is the water soaked shield that would extinguishing the flaming arrows, in our case  of the wicked one,  Satan.  Scripture talks about the water of the Word (5:26), and that  faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So then in order for our faith (our shield) to be effective, it needs to be saturated with the Word.   This is best done apart from  the battle, in our quiet times.

But what are the fiery darts?  The enemy of course knows us, knows our weaknesses, and there is a real sense in which these fiery darts are individual darts aimed at our individual weaknesses.  But there are also general things, areas in which we would do well to know the scripture. The one that comes to mind immediacy is the area of our sexuality.  Speaking of the allurement of beauty and the enticement of seduction,   Scripture asks “Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned”  (Proverbs 6:27)? In particular, but not restricted to it,  some would claim that pornography is harmless,  but is it?  I personally know of examples where it has destroyed marriages and relationships (yes plural).  And if you are a Christian,  and it turns you on, it’s adultery (Matthew 5:28).   For many it’s their go to drug of choice, and it needs to be dealt with for what it is,  an idolatrous addiction, and it needs to be dealt with radically and with no half measures.

With respect to our individual fiery darts,  I find it helpful to think of them in terms of our triggers.  A trigger is anything that sets you off wrestling or struggling in any or all of the ways we struggle.  It can be a memory,  an unkind word,  a graphic description of something you struggle with, a seductive look from another, a put down triggering  feelings of rejection etc., etc.  It can  anything that provokes our  pride,  or envy,  or jealousy, or greed or lust, anything that draws us away from Him and His presence. And in the end, all of  these fiery darts,  darts that threaten to pierce the breastplate of our righteousness,  can be quenched by the water of the Word, and by taking up the whole of the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). In particular it is important to know who we are, and whose we are in Christ. We will look at this more closely next day when we discuss the  helmet of salvation.

Father,  the tense of the verb "taking" in this instruction is important. It is on going and has to do with taking the shield as the occasion requires it.  When tempted I need to be reminded to take the breastplate of righteousness, when the dart of doubt comes,  I need to return to the belt of truth. Thank You Lord that I don’t have to do this alone, for You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Continue to teach me to be the overcomer You call me to be,  in Jesus Name I pray Amen