December 9, 2007
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The Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:13-17
Beth MooreToday’s Treasure: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephesians 6:16 KJV).
Among the strategically prescribed pieces of the armor of God, why “above all” do we need to learn to use our shield of faith? Because the shield is the armor’s armor. If the ancient warrior received a direct hit on any of the other defensive covers it could still stun and bruise even if it didn’t wound. The warrior’s goal was to extinguish any oncoming dart with his shield in order to diffuse all potential damage. When the warrior’s shield was down, the other pieces of armor were vastly more vulnerable.
The same is true in our warfare. Our toughest battles will invariably concern matters of faith—times when we’re tempted to think God’s Word and His ways won’t work for us, that He has abandoned us, let us down, or failed to come through for us. If Satan can get us to drop our shield of faith, he knows we can’t remain standing for very long. Firsts have great importance in Scripture. Do you know the first recorded words that ever came from the serpent’s mouth? “Did God really say…?” (Gen. 3:1).
He used the spade of deceit to sow doubt. Satan, posing as the serpent, couldn’t keep Eve from believing in God, so he did the next best thing. He baited her, tempting Eve not to believe God or trust His motives. Her walk was crippled, her doubt was contagious, and the couple lost the land God had placed under their feet. You see, when Eve dropped her shield of faith, every other piece of spiritual armor became vulnerable. Satan knew she wouldn’t remain standing for long. When she fell, she fell hard. I know the feeling.
“Above all,” you and I need to learn to take up our shield of faith. We also desperately need to know the Word of God and wield the Sword of the Spirit so that when the enemy slyly suggests “Did God really say…?”, we can know the answer emphatically. When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the truth of God’s Word, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit. I owe him a few. Do you?
Where do I sense the enemy targeting his fiery darts?
What lies am I believing about God?
What Scriptures could help me combat attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit?Father, thank You for providing armor for my protection. I pray to wear and use every piece. Give me strong arms to wield the sword of the Spirit and take up the shield of faith. Be mighty through me, to the praise of Your glorious name. Amen.
I read this devotional today, and it really spoke to my heart regarding the spiritual battles that we are so often up against! Beth Moore has always blessed me with her teachings. If any of you are in a battle now, I trust this helps you as well!
I hope you’re having a great weekend! Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet … ha … I’ve barely begun mine! We did have a great day yesterday over at my niece’s, celebrating an early Christmas, and both my sister’s, and my great niece’s birthdays! Pattie had her 50th birthday, and it would be such a blessing to her if you would go wish her a Happy Birthday! She’ll be updating with pictures … she got a new little camera and put it to good use yesterday! I hope to get around to all of you very soon, and I need to be making more changes here myself, (as the song goes … ‘we need a little Christmas, right this very minute’ … I’ve gotta get rid of these leaves … trade it in for some snow!) I’ll also be posting some of my pictures, as well!
Well, you all be blessed, and have a wonderful Sunday … and don’t forget that Shield of Faith! I was going to put a picture up at the top of this devotional that went along with it, but I couldn’t upload it …. Xanga had a notice posted saying that their ‘server maintenance’ was working on it, but they did thank me for my patience … well, at least they noticed! Lol!!Hugs,
~ Deborah <><
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Comments (11)
Love your winter look, hope you are having a great week, how’s your son doing, since he went back? Are granddaughter in SC is moving up here after christmas, keep my daughter in prayer for i know how hard this will be for her, we both know what it is like when our chrildren move away it not easy but with gods help we get through one day at a time have a blessed week,
sandy
Nice Layout….like the twinkling…
Of course I am under attack…..I made my decision for Jesus……my shield is held high:sunny:
WOW! It’s snowing over here! I love it! Where do you find all the cute clip art?
I Love this new layout!! Its awesome
This post today is perfect for me i really needed to read it. Thank you!!:love:
thank you so much for this uplifting and faith igniting post.
Don’t you just LOVE Beth Moore? Where did this devotional come from? One of her books, or her web site? I love this! Our pastor has been teaching on spiritual warfare for a while (with the exception of the past couple of weeks just to get us through the holidays) and when January hits, he is going to teach on the helmet of salvation. He said he wants to hold off teaching that sermon, until he knows that everyone will be there; and won’t be out visiting family for the holidays. He said it is one of the best sermon’s he’s come up with, and it’s one that we ALL desperately need to hear! I am so anxious to hear it! :love:
HI DEBORAH,
This is another great post i have a friend that would say to me that when i get up in the morning ask god to put a hedge around my family and friends i have done this so many times and i do believe that it helps to keep them safe and out of satan ways,
Still have some shopping to do i am really behind this year, it has been raining here hard all day but its holding at about 33 so i hope by morning that it don’t freeze, our son has a lot of testing to do these next few day and then he is done for a couple weeks, so hope the weather holds up for him to get back and forth to college.
Have a blessed week
SANDY
You know those movies where the guys are kneeling with the shield over their heads and the arrows are raining down on them??? Well that is me at the moment!!!
This was very interesting, thanks for sharing. I have presents bought, not done yet.
:sunny:Hope you have a Blessed Sunday! (((((((Hugs))))))………..In Christ’s Love……Monic:heartbeat:
Hello, Dear Friend! I couldn’t post a picture to go with my devotional this morning, either. :rolleyes: Thanks for posting what you did today! I took a few minutes and thanked God for my armor; making sure it was in place and doing its job. I look forward to your new Winter look here! I have it easy, I just find something to use for a background that works with that green box I can’t get rid of! LOL! Cookies are baked and wrapped for the church party today. After that party we go to the birthday party of my little Danish grand daughter, Victoria. She is two! I hope she is the mood to give kisses!