5 July 2026

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

(Spiritual Warfare: SW 11)

The fourth component in the Christian armor is the shield of faith: “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph.6:16). The shield is a defensive tool to ward off the fiery darts of the devil. The aim of the devil’s attempts is to inflict fear on the Christian. Fear paralyses and torments its victims so that the latter cannot function properly. Fear can also destroy the Christian spiritually.

The only weapon against fear is faith. The shield of faith protects the believer from satanic attacks which seek to inflict fear. Satan’s attacks come in various and many forms, hence the plural usage of the word “darts” or “arrows”. These darts are more deadly because they are “fiery darts”. The shield quenches these fiery darts and renders them ineffective; hence doing no harm to the believer.

The reference to “fiery darts” shows that the devil’s purpose is to harm the believer. His use of temptations is meant to distract or sidetrack the believer from doing God’s will. They are meant to draw him away from God and focusing on His purpose for our life. Fiery darts are direct attacks on the believer to cripple him from advancing the Kingdom of God. We are in the line of fire because we are engaged in a spiritual war against the kingdom of darkness. Such darts may come in the form of physical sickness and harm, persecutions, emotional harassment, attacks on the family and financial crises, etc.

It is in such times that the believer must exercise faith in God and in His Word. Faith in God’s love and power and in the promises of God’s Word is the only way out and the assurance of victory. The Apostle John says, “This is the victory that overcomes the world – even our faith” (1 John 5:4). The “world” refers to the realm controlled by Satan which he uses to cause trouble for the Church and the believers (1 John 5:19). Jesus also said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Through faith in Christ and His Word we overcome the world and the fiery darts of the devil.

Notice that the Word also refers to Satan as “the wicked one”. This describes his nature and character as totally evil. There is nothing good in him and therefore no good can come out of him. Our Lord refers to him as the liar, the murderer, the thief and the destroyer. So we need to understand the diabolical intent of his fiery darts; they are meant to destroy us “by hook or by crook”. Hence, we should not be naïve or take things too lightly when it comes to his existence or the cunningness of his ways. We are not unaware of his devices and therefore we must always be on our toes. Walk in the Spirit and in faith and we will not fulfill the lusts thereof. We will not succumb to his evil ways nor fall into his deceptive traps. The devil is a cunning enemy and we are not unaware of his devices. But FAITH in Christ and His Word gives us victory!
Let us take up the shield of faith and victory is ours. Amen!

Click HERE to return to Spiritual Warfare Series

Click HERE to return to Articles Main Menu