This Month's Newsletter

Will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Roman soldiers carried two different types of shields. One was a small round decorative shield that was mainly used in hand to hand combat. The other was a huge, iron, door shaped shield called a “scutum.” This shield was so large that a soldier could crotch down behind it and protect his whole body from flaming arrows shot from afar. Speaking of flaming arrows, layers of leather were also added to the outside covering of the shield so they could be soaked with water just before going into battle. The water soaked shields would protect the bearer from the fiery arrows that were dipped in pitch and set ablaze before shooting. Friend water always puts out fires.

The water soaked shield of the Roman Soldiers armor represents a “word soaked” shield that the Christian soldier is to carry. Romans 10:17 declares that faith comes by hearing and believing the word of God.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)¹⁷So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

In essence faith comes by hearing Jesus speak to us. When we hear marching orders from our commander and chief (Jesus) and obey those orders, we can be assured that we will be protected by his shield of faith. Look at what Ephesians 5:26 says about the water of the word.

Ephesians 5:26 (NKJV)²⁶that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word.

God is speaking of the church that he uses the word to sanctify and cleanse her from all the impurities.

Notice the command of the apostle Paul to “take up” the shield of faith. We can only begin to say that we have picked up a shield of faith when we finally allow the water of word to cleanse and refresh our life. This in turn builds our faith, and remember that we must possess faith in order to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)⁶But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

If our shield (life) is not soaked in the water of the word we are in danger should trouble come—of going up in smoke. Taking up a word soaked life is probably our greatest defensive action against the enemy. Our shield of faith will use specific truths from God’s word to extinguish all the devils flaming lies and accusations that are aimed at destroying us and causing certain fears to attach themselves to our life.

In the heat of spiritual battle sometimes smoke will rise up and make it difficult to actually see our commander and chief. Some will even blindly think that he has left them alone in the battle to fight by themselves. But if we possess a shield of faith we will remember what the word says and believe it. We will know that he hasn’t abandoned us for his word declares that he will never leave us or forsake us.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)⁵Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ”I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The Faith shield will even shield us and protect us even when we are behind it and can’t see what is hitting us. When we raise up the shield of faith we know we are protected by God’s word.

Romans 1:17 (NKJV)¹⁷for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Friends Satan cannot penetrate God’s word no matter how hard he tries. There is not one single life of accusation that we cannot stop with a word soaked shield in our hands.

Faith will allow us to apply the appropriate truths or promises that we can truly believe, instead of the propaganda against us that the enemy wants us the believe.

Stand on this promise today;”Take up the shield of faith and quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.”

Continued Next Month