The Lodestar

Paul concludes the letter to the church in Ephesus by reminding them of the ongoing battle against the forces of darkness. Being aware of the evil one and standing against him is as important as believing the correct doctrine and living godly lives. Just as no country can survive without adequate defence, no Christian can survive without sufficient protection against the forces that bring us down (Eph 6:10—20).

Faith is an essential piece of defence equipment that a Christian believer wields against the spiritual enemy, the devil. Faith is the conviction that Jesus is there for those who believe in him. He equips them with the struggles of this life. Faith is also the conviction that the Holy Spirit is our comforter and encourager.

Paul regards faith as a shield soldiers used to protect themselves from arrows and sword strikes. But faith is a different kind of shield.

Before the dawn of the Iron Age, shields were made of wood covered with leather. They protected the soldier from sword or spear attacks or stopped arrows. Armies in antiquity had flaming darts, arrows with tips soaked in oil and lighted, in their armoury. The shields made of wood and leather could not withstand flaming darts because the leather and wood would catch fire and be reduced to ashes in minutes.

Faith is a shield and protective equipment, but of a different kind. It does not catch fire when hit by flaming darts but “extinguishes” them. When devils assail our hearts with doubts, fears, and thoughts that weaken our confidence in God, faith extinguishes each one until the devil’s quiver is empty.

Hold the shield of faith every time the devil directs “flaming darts” at us.

Take up your shield of faith today. When doubts, fears, and discouragement strike, hold firm to the promises of Christ. Trust that the God who called you equips you, and let your faith extinguish every flaming dart the enemy sends your way.