Momentum For Monday, February 19th 2024

“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil” (Ephesians 6:16)

The idea of the shield that Paul is speaking about isn't a small shield that a knight may have used. This shield is the full length of the human body and would often be stuck into the ground when a person was sheltering in defense. So, it's safe to say it probably had some weight to it as well.

Often these shields would be covered with leather or some other heavy-duty material that would be doused in water to ward off fire attacks such as darts/arrows. The wounds that can occur from those attacks were not minor and would be taken seriously.

Paul is telling us that our faith is what deflects the attacks of Satan. But understand that faith is not a mere "manifestation to the universe" (which is common to today's culture) of some random wish for something we want, but it is unswerving belief that is grounded in Scripture. The Bible is how we know what and where to place all our faith.

It would be wise for you and I to be aware of the offense of Satan by looking at what is causing us to doubt God. Wherever offense, confusion, suspicion, distrust, or the like remain in you about God, is where your shield needs grounded to faith. If there's portions of your life gaping from fiery wounds, that's a place to ask God to give you proper covering of faith. If the Devil finds these areas valuable enough to attack, it’s a tell-tale sign of the exact areas God wants to do His greatest work.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

(Romans 10:17)