Shield of Faith - Ephesians 6:16
Notes
Transcript
16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Introduction: What is Faith
Same question as with breastplate of righteousness: what do we mean by the term?
Faith defined:
· great trust or confidence in something or someone
· a feeling of trust that something will be successful, that people will do what they promise to do, etc.
· Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.
· That which is believed on any subject, whether in science, politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of religious belief of any kind; ; also, the creed or belief of a Christian society or church.
1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Important things to determine:
· What is truth and how is it defined? Go back to the belt of truth
· What is reliability of the individual or statements being trusted
· Is faith really dependent on “feelings”? ie “I don’t know, I just kind of have a hunch I can trust her.” “That sounds like such a great deal, it feels right.” Telemarketers work to get you to believe them so you’ll have faith in what they’re selling.
Results are fully dependent on the veracity and ability of the object of the faith.
Possible objects of faith:
· Faith in “faith.” Often held by agnostics. Nothing can be known, so the focus is on the act of “believing.”
That things will work out, that the act of believing will lead to positive things.
Often hear: “It doesn’t matter what you believe in as long as you believe in something.”
Problem: This might help you fake it till you make it on a normal day, but not on your worst day. Faith, itself, cannot be the object of faith – often stated but meaningless.
· Faith in others (friends, family, leadership, etc). There’s an aspect of this we all have to have. We need others and so we have to believe in them; trust them.
Problem is everyone is fallible, so even with the best of intentions, faith will be unfounded. You’ll get bad advice, they won’t be or be able to be there for you, they can’t know your deepest hurt or what you need the most. It’s not enough to carry you through the dark days. They can’t fend off the inner attacks that come.
· Faith in self (most popular). Takes care of many of the problems with faith in others: you’re always there, you know yourself pretty good, you’re most concerned with yourself.
Problem: You know better than anyone how fallible you are.
· Faith of God. “OF” because faith is FROM God, given as a gift, that allows trust IN God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—
9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
If God is the object of faith, there is POWER!
It’s why Paul says…Ephesians 6:16
16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
4 Observations of the text:
1. The evil one is hell-bent on your destruction. He is pure evil. That’s all he’s made of and evil is all he’s intent on.
The evil one is “Satan” - a Hebrew word that means “adversary” (שָׂטָן).
Scripture also refers to Satan as
“the devil” (Matt 4:1, 5; Lk 4:2, 3; Eph 6:11),
“the serpent” (Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3; Rev 20:2),
“the great dragon” (Rev 12:9; cf Rev 20:2),
“the accuser” (Rev 12:10),
“the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2),
“the god of this age” (2 Cor 4:4),
“the prince of demons” (Matt 9:34; 12:24; Mk 3:22; Lk 11:15),
“the tempter” (Matt 4:3; 1 Thess 3:5)
As an “angel of light” and “deceiver” his attacks are quite often disguised as good and desirable.
· A great paying job that will keep you from your spouse and kids.
· A sound financial investment but with an ethically questionable company
· Using AI to write a better paper than you’re capable but will get your gpa up to scholarship level.
· Telling a small lie to a friend that could otherwise damage the friendship.
Not to be taken lightly or toyed with. That’s why Paul says, “Flee youthful passions…” 2 Tim. 2:22.
22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Eve went wrong when she gave Satan the opportunity to speak into her life – that led to the deception, and into doubting the love, goodness, and authority of God.
2. The attacks are comprehensive and will come constantly
In [pasin -whole, all, total] every situation – there is not one single thing that can happen where faith isn’t REQUIRED.
The battle is constant!
8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
3. Faith extinguishes “ALL” the flaming arrows of the evil one.
They do not have to have the evil one’s intended affect!
3 For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden,
4 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.
The defense can be complete: Extinguish – not just block with the shield and leave burning but put it out. No flame thus no effect.
13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
The defense is never about willpower (“faith in self”). On your own, you will always lose!
2 I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh.
3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,
4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments
5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
They demolish the attacks the enemy makes through people through the weaponry of the Spirit, not the flesh.
ILLUS: Reminding someone of the reality of the love of God that extinguishes the attacks that tell us we’re unloved and worthless. Doesn’t just block it, but extinguishes it.
4. The battle is meant to be fought together!
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.
2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
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