How To Put On The Shield Of Faith From Ephesians 6:16

 

  “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”  

 

While the subject of evil authorities and their hierarchies is a comprehensive study from the Bible in itself, I recommend that you make a study to become fully educated concerning spiritual warfare. It will make the shield of faith come alive to you. It’s also important to settle in your heart that when it comes to evil, you are safe by taking your authority in Christ.

You Have Victory

Jesus already defeated Satan and you can identify with that victory. He gave us power over all evil. He said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

You are victorious over Satan in Christ as a believer, but you must take this truth by faith. Remember it and act on it daily to overcome fear. One of the ways evil can win against you is by your not knowing this truth and by not knowing the scriptures.

People who allow evil to work through them, know that many Christians never read the Bible, so they trick them by telling them lies about what the Bible says. This leaves Christians in a dangerous position, so continue to grow in the Word. Otherwise, you may believe lies that are told to trick you into backing evil endeavors, into losing your blessings, or worse, into losing your salvation.

Know Who or What Your Battle Is Against 

Ephesians 6:12 reads, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This verse is part of Paul’s concluding exhortation to the Ephesian church, encouraging them to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

In this passage, Paul employs the metaphor of a soldier donning armor to describe the spiritual protection necessary for the Christian walk. However, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context of this passage to fully appreciate its significance.

The Historical Significance of Ephesians 6:12

Historically, the city of Ephesus was a significant center for paganism and the worship of Artemis, the goddess of fertility. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was likely written to counter the religious influences and challenges faced by the church in this context. Additionally, scholars argue that this passage reflects a Stoic influence on Paul’s thinking, as the Stoics considered the world to be a battlefield between good and evil forces.

Culturally, the language used in this passage may have resonated with the Ephesians’ familiarity with the concept of spiritual warfare. Many of them may have been familiar with pagan practices that involved ritualistic confrontation with evil spirits. Paul’s message here was to redirect their focus towards the one true God and the spiritual protection afforded by his armor.

Spiritual Hierarchies

When Paul speaks of “rulers,” “authorities,” and “powers,” he is likely referring to spiritual hierarchies of evil beings. These terms are used elsewhere in the New Testament to describe demonic forces (e.g. Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22). The phrase “dark world” may refer to this present age, which is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).

The phrase “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” has been the subject of much discussion and debate. Some interpret this as a reference to demonic entities who operate in the spiritual realm, while others argue that this passage refers to human institutions and systems that perpetuate evil. However, the former interpretation appears to be more consistent with Paul’s use of language elsewhere in his letters.  This reality of spiritual warfare reminds believers that their ultimate enemy is Satan, not other human beings.

The theological implications of this passage are significant. It reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle and that we need to take seriously the reality of evil forces that seek to thwart God’s will. It also reminds us that our ultimate victory comes not through our own strength and power, but through the Lord’s. Christians are called to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10) and to put on the full armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).

In conclusion, Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we are not only physical beings living in a physical world but spiritual beings living in a spiritual reality. It acknowledges the real presence of spiritual forces of evil and encourages us to put on the full armor of God so that we may be able to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. Ultimately, it points us to the reality of the spiritual realm and the power of Christ to overcome evil.

DON’T WAIT! Take up the shield of faith and trust in God’s promises, knowing that he is faithful and true. Next chapter, we will explore the fifth part of the Armor of God: the helmet of salvation.

How To:

As Christians, we are often engaged in spiritual battles both inwardly and outwardly. Some battles might be physical, financial, relational, or emotional, while others might be spiritual.

Regardless of the battle, we have been given a powerful tool to overcome every challenge – the power and authority that has been bestowed upon us through Christ. To understand the magnitude of this power, let’s take a look at some scriptures that speak about it.

One of the most famous verses that speak about our spiritual authority is found in Luke10:19, which says, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” This verse is telling us that we have the ability to overcome anything that comes our way, whether it be physical or spiritual.

Another great scripture that speaks to our spiritual authority is found in Ephesians6:10-12. It says, “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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

These verses teach us that our battles are not with people, but with spiritual forces that seek to destroy us. However, we have been given the armor of God, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With this armor, we can stand firm in our faith and overcome any spiritual battles that we may face.

So, how do we practically apply this knowledge in our everyday lives?

  1. First, we must believe in our spiritual authority. Many Christians do not realize the power that they possess in Christ, and as a result, they are defeated in their spiritual battles. When we believe in our authority, we can confidently face any challenge that comes our way.
  2. Secondly, we must pray and seek God’s direction in every situation. As we face battles, we must seek God’s guidance on how to approach them. He will give us the wisdom and strength that we need to overcome.
  3. Lastly, we must speak the word of God over our situations. The word of God is powerful and has the ability to change any circumstance. When we speak the word of God over our situations, we are declaring victory and aligning ourselves with God’s promises.

In conclusion, as Christians, we have been given the power and authority to overcome every spiritual battle that comes our way. Let us believe in our authority, seek God’s guidance, and speak His word over every situation. Through this, we will emerge victorious and lead a life that is pleasing to God.

In Ephesians 6:17, the “shield of faith” is described as one of the spiritual armor pieces worn by a Christian warrior. It is symbolic of the Christian’s belief and trust in God that safeguards them from the assaults of the devil.

Historically, the Roman Shield of Faith was used as an essential tool that helped soldiers protect themselves from lethal assaults by enemies during battle, and similarly, the shield of faith protects us from the devil’s lethal attacks on our spiritual journey. When our faith is strong, we can stand up against the enemy’s attacks.

The shield of faith is an essential piece of armor because, without it, we are susceptible to the enemy’s attacks. Hebrews 11:1 emphasizes the importance of faith in our spiritual journey, and it states, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” This verse indicates the stronghold of belief that the shield of faith represents, and the power that comes with it.

In Ephesians 6:17, the “shield of faith” is described as one of the spiritual armor pieces worn by a Christian warrior. It is symbolic of the Christian’s belief and trust in God that safeguards them from the assaults of the devil.

Historically, the Roman Shield of Faith was used as an essential tool that helped soldiers protect themselves from lethal assaults by enemies during battle, and similarly, the shield of faith protects us from the devil’s lethal attacks on our spiritual journey. When our faith is strong, we can stand up against the enemy’s attacks.

The shield of faith is an essential piece of armor because, without it, we are susceptible to the enemy’s attacks. Hebrews 11:1 emphasizes the importance of faith in our spiritual journey, and it states, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” This verse indicates the stronghold of belief that the shield of faith represents, and the power that comes with it.

 

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