Blog post October 3, 2026

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

Shields are made of solid material. In alomst all cases they are for protection. Life has a way of showing us where we need shields. When I was a young child one of my uncles was using a tractor and mill to grind feed. The tractor was hooked up to a PTO shaft which when engaged would spin rapidly and turn the mechanisms in the mill to grind the grain. In those days it seemed safety was an after thought. My uncles clothes got caught in the PTO and it proved to be deadly as it wrapped him up and beat him to death.

Paul speaks of our faith as being a shield because he knows that just as easily we can get wrapped up in deadly situations. Faith acts as a spiritual shield by trusting in God's character and promises, to block and extinguish the deceptive attacks, doubts, and temptations of our enemy.

The metaphor comes from the large, door sized wooden shields used by Roman soldiers. These shields were covered in leather and soaked in water before battle so they could quench and neutralize burning arrows upon impact.

True faith is not just wishful thinking; it's resting our weight entirely on God and His truth, letting His faithfulness absorb the blows. Just as soldiers lock their shields together to form a protective wall, believers also share a collective defense by encouraging one another in truth.

Heavenly Father I pray that we would indeed take up our shield of faith today. There are so many things in this life that will catch us and wrap us up seeking to take our life away. Our armor is for our own protection and yet so often we go through every day without putting it on. Without being intentional. Help us to slow down and armor up. I pray in Jesus name. Thank You for the reminder of the battle we are in. AMEN AMEN