The Shield Of Faith

Next up is your shield. The Shield of Faith is essentially belief. Having solid faith and believing that God created the world and sent His Son to die for our salvation is that piece of armor. A shield protects, which is exactly what our faith does when we’re faced with attack.

Remember the part in Ephesians where our battle strategy is compared to putting on armor? It says our Shield of Faith is the tool we use to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (6:16).

Satan is a sneaky enemy, and he shoots lies at us like flaming arrows. One of the lies the enemy told me often in my twenties was “you need attention from guys to feel validated and beautiful.” That is what landed me in the arms of so many BooBoo Dudes and resulted in heartaches.

As scary as it sounds that Satan is attacking us, we don’t have to be afraid. Our faith is the shield that puts out the devil’s fire arrows before they can even reach us. We have full protection.

Now you might be thinking, My faith isn’t as strong as I want it to be. Hang in there, because Jesus has an answer for that. Let me tell you a story that explains it, taken from Mark 9:14–29.

Imagine a crowd of people gathering around Jesus’ disciples and some religious teachers. When the people see Jesus, they run to Him. Jesus asks what everyone is arguing about, and a man from the crowd answers. He says the disciples couldn’t get a demon out of his son.

When Jesus asks to see the boy, the spirit throws the boy down on the ground and makes him roll around in the dirt and foam at the mouth. That might sound scary, but remember that it’s the demon who is scared of Jesus! Just the sight of Jesus is making him go crazy.

Pay close attention to what happens next.

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21–24)

Imagine Jesus’ face as He says, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” He is telling this man he does not have to keep fighting alone and there is hope for his son.

Does Jesus tell the man, “Your faith is too weak”? Does He say, “You don’t believe enough”? No. He scolds the impure spirit and tells it to get out of the boy, and it has no choice but to obey. Then He grabs the boy’s hand and helps him stand up.

Friend, Jesus understands when you wish your faith was stronger. He will help you overcome your unbelief, and He will fight Satan for you. He is holding the Shield of Faith with you, and He will not let you drop it!

We don’t have to let Satan’s arrows push us to the wrong kind of guys. We can run to Jesus. All we have to do is close our hand around the Shield of Faith and say, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Father, I believe in You and know that You created the world and sent Jesus to die for me. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!