Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The Roman shield in Paul’s day was called a scutum and was not at all the wimpy shield we see in comic books today. This type of shield was the size of a door that entirely covered the warrior. Although it was a defensive piece of armor, it could also be used as an offensive weapon to push back opponents. A group of soldiers could form a fortress of protection around themselves by positioning their shields to form a complete enclosure. The shield was the first barrier against the enemy’s attack and was meant to be taken up in all battles.
We come to battles with other pieces of armor already on our person, but we have to take up the shield of faith. Taking up the shield of faith is a proactive response of obedience to God that identifies us as foot soldiers who serve the Commander of the Lord’s Army. Faith is the protective barrier that stands between us and the enemy.
God fashioned you for faith, not fear. Fear—the enemy’s favorite tactic against God’s people—takes up residence when you’re faced with overwhelming concerns, gut-wrenching losses and what may feel like impending doom. Your faith can be strong and vibrant one minute, tenuous and elusive the next. In intense battle you often hear people say, Just have faith—a cliché that can be deeply hurtful when you’re wounded, bleeding and fearful of the barrage of enemy arrows still coming at you.
How can you possibly keep standing and holding up your weighty shield of faith, especially if you’re the walking wounded?
God’s overcoming Ekklesia, advancing His Kingdom on earth, are those who win the battle over fear so they are completely liberated to take up faith. Why are you fearful? Have you lost your faith in me? Luke 8:25 TPT
Faith is a hard-fought, hard-won battle against fear. You only defeat fear if you surrender everything you’re holding onto and believe what God says. Believe He is who He says He is. Believe you are who He says you are. Believe He keeps every promise ever made to you.
Faith is a gift from God—For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV.
Faith protects you and helps you stand your ground—Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.
Faith enables you to keep hoping against all odds—Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 TPT
Faith is the heart that advances the Kingdom of God—Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One. Romans 10:17 TPT
Faith is the only thing that moves God—And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him. Hebrews 11:6 TPT
Faith is centered in trust. Who do you believe and who do you trust?
If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God. True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life, promised to every lover of God. James 1:12 TPT