Ephesians 6:10-18 (key verse - Ephesians 6:16)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Someday I do hope to be able to learn and then share more about the individual pieces of the armour of God, which Paul speak about. But today, I just want to focus on the Shield of Faith simply because I suddenly realise how underutilised/neglected it has been in the armoury of a warrior.
Last week, I watched a documentary on Alexander and how his army conquered the ancient world with their strategies and skills in Discovery Channel. During a battle, when the army of Alexander stormed head-on to face the opponents, the first row of Romans banded together, used their shields as a wall of protection to deflect the advancing army swords and thereafter to stab their enemies by lowering their shields.
As the Romans advanced forward in the battle ground, they would face the onlaught of the enemy's rain of arrows - what we deem as modern day artillary bombardment. Upon seeing the arrows, the Romans would form a formidable tortoise shell-like shield over their heads that neutralised the arrows raining down on them as they advanced forward.
To the church in Ephesus, Paul's speaks of the need to dorn the armour of God so that in the day of evil, Christians are able to stand (or stand firmly/hold your ground). Every part of the armour is made to equip a Christian to survive the onslaught thrown by the enemy in the last days.
The obvious truth of the armour of God is every single piece is adorn onto the body like a thick shell over the naked, vulnerable skin and body. Only the sword and shield are external pieces which are held up a small distance away from the physical body to provide a projected layer of defence.
Much has been spoken about the word of God as the sword, the only weapon of defence and offense. However, having read the NIV version which states "In addition" to all the bodily protection armour, I am very intrigued by the obvious truth that holding the shield of faith adds increasing value which may Christians fail to neglect.
In war, a shield can protect its holder even without wearing bodily armour. But when you adorn a full armour, holding a shield can be sometimes be a chore in bodily combat, given the fact that both hands may be better off trying to wield the sword to attack more efficiently and defend quickly. However, when we recognise the enemy's use of sharp, armour piercing arrows (and flame lit!) that are projected to attack us even before we can face him, the shield starts to play an invaluable role of covering. No one would then see the shield as a cumbersome article to carry.
I'm not sure if the show TROY starring Brad Pitt as Achilles was a good representation of how a soldier is to use his sword and shield. But in one scene where Achilles was battling Hector (played by Eric Bana) it was an impressive show of how even in face-to-face combat, the sword and shield could be masterfully used for both offensive & defensive attacks. A savvy soldier knows that he needs to utilise his shield as it is an essential life preservation equipment. without it, the bodily armoured pieces would be pierced in a few sharp thrusts.
If I could interprete Ephesians 6:16, I would make it a call of "Hold up your faith!", "Lift it up high!" The enemy's fliery armour piercing arrows are meant to stab us deeply and cause us so much agony, grimmacing pain and mental torment that the soldier of God would be crippled and unable to move on. That's YOU and ME that the flaming arrows are targetted at!
So today, don't procrestinate and be lazy. If you haven't been carrying your shield of faith because you found it heavy and cumbersome. If you have be lugging it but failing to utilise it properly - lift it up! Let faith arise in you that you would be able to dispel the attacks that would cause you to waver.
Blessings,
M.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 6:13
09 August 2006
The Often Unused Shield
Ephesians 6:10-18 (key verse - Ephesians 6:16)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Someday I do hope to be able to learn and then share more about the individual pieces of the armour of God, which Paul speak about. But today, I just want to focus on the Shield of Faith simply because I suddenly realise how underutilised/neglected it has been in the armoury of a warrior.
Last week, I watched a documentary on Alexander and how his army conquered the ancient world with their strategies and skills in Discovery Channel. During a battle, when the army of Alexander stormed head-on to face the opponents, the first row of Romans banded together, used their shields as a wall of protection to deflect the advancing army swords and thereafter to stab their enemies by lowering their shields.
As the Romans advanced forward in the battle ground, they would face the onlaught of the enemy's rain of arrows - what we deem as modern day artillary bombardment. Upon seeing the arrows, the Romans would form a formidable tortoise shell-like shield over their heads that neutralised the arrows raining down on them as they advanced forward.
To the church in Ephesus, Paul's speaks of the need to dorn the armour of God so that in the day of evil, Christians are able to stand (or stand firmly/hold your ground). Every part of the armour is made to equip a Christian to survive the onslaught thrown by the enemy in the last days.
The obvious truth of the armour of God is every single piece is adorn onto the body like a thick shell over the naked, vulnerable skin and body. Only the sword and shield are external pieces which are held up a small distance away from the physical body to provide a projected layer of defence.
Much has been spoken about the word of God as the sword, the only weapon of defence and offense. However, having read the NIV version which states "In addition" to all the bodily protection armour, I am very intrigued by the obvious truth that holding the shield of faith adds increasing value which may Christians fail to neglect.
In war, a shield can protect its holder even without wearing bodily armour. But when you adorn a full armour, holding a shield can be sometimes be a chore in bodily combat, given the fact that both hands may be better off trying to wield the sword to attack more efficiently and defend quickly. However, when we recognise the enemy's use of sharp, armour piercing arrows (and flame lit!) that are projected to attack us even before we can face him, the shield starts to play an invaluable role of covering. No one would then see the shield as a cumbersome article to carry.
I'm not sure if the show TROY starring Brad Pitt as Achilles was a good representation of how a soldier is to use his sword and shield. But in one scene where Achilles was battling Hector (played by Eric Bana) it was an impressive show of how even in face-to-face combat, the sword and shield could be masterfully used for both offensive & defensive attacks. A savvy soldier knows that he needs to utilise his shield as it is an essential life preservation equipment. without it, the bodily armoured pieces would be pierced in a few sharp thrusts.
If I could interprete Ephesians 6:16, I would make it a call of "Hold up your faith!", "Lift it up high!" The enemy's fliery armour piercing arrows are meant to stab us deeply and cause us so much agony, grimmacing pain and mental torment that the soldier of God would be crippled and unable to move on. That's YOU and ME that the flaming arrows are targetted at!
So today, don't procrestinate and be lazy. If you haven't been carrying your shield of faith because you found it heavy and cumbersome. If you have be lugging it but failing to utilise it properly - lift it up! Let faith arise in you that you would be able to dispel the attacks that would cause you to waver.
Blessings,
M.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 6:13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Someday I do hope to be able to learn and then share more about the individual pieces of the armour of God, which Paul speak about. But today, I just want to focus on the Shield of Faith simply because I suddenly realise how underutilised/neglected it has been in the armoury of a warrior.
Last week, I watched a documentary on Alexander and how his army conquered the ancient world with their strategies and skills in Discovery Channel. During a battle, when the army of Alexander stormed head-on to face the opponents, the first row of Romans banded together, used their shields as a wall of protection to deflect the advancing army swords and thereafter to stab their enemies by lowering their shields.
As the Romans advanced forward in the battle ground, they would face the onlaught of the enemy's rain of arrows - what we deem as modern day artillary bombardment. Upon seeing the arrows, the Romans would form a formidable tortoise shell-like shield over their heads that neutralised the arrows raining down on them as they advanced forward.
To the church in Ephesus, Paul's speaks of the need to dorn the armour of God so that in the day of evil, Christians are able to stand (or stand firmly/hold your ground). Every part of the armour is made to equip a Christian to survive the onslaught thrown by the enemy in the last days.
The obvious truth of the armour of God is every single piece is adorn onto the body like a thick shell over the naked, vulnerable skin and body. Only the sword and shield are external pieces which are held up a small distance away from the physical body to provide a projected layer of defence.
Much has been spoken about the word of God as the sword, the only weapon of defence and offense. However, having read the NIV version which states "In addition" to all the bodily protection armour, I am very intrigued by the obvious truth that holding the shield of faith adds increasing value which may Christians fail to neglect.
In war, a shield can protect its holder even without wearing bodily armour. But when you adorn a full armour, holding a shield can be sometimes be a chore in bodily combat, given the fact that both hands may be better off trying to wield the sword to attack more efficiently and defend quickly. However, when we recognise the enemy's use of sharp, armour piercing arrows (and flame lit!) that are projected to attack us even before we can face him, the shield starts to play an invaluable role of covering. No one would then see the shield as a cumbersome article to carry.
I'm not sure if the show TROY starring Brad Pitt as Achilles was a good representation of how a soldier is to use his sword and shield. But in one scene where Achilles was battling Hector (played by Eric Bana) it was an impressive show of how even in face-to-face combat, the sword and shield could be masterfully used for both offensive & defensive attacks. A savvy soldier knows that he needs to utilise his shield as it is an essential life preservation equipment. without it, the bodily armoured pieces would be pierced in a few sharp thrusts.
If I could interprete Ephesians 6:16, I would make it a call of "Hold up your faith!", "Lift it up high!" The enemy's fliery armour piercing arrows are meant to stab us deeply and cause us so much agony, grimmacing pain and mental torment that the soldier of God would be crippled and unable to move on. That's YOU and ME that the flaming arrows are targetted at!
So today, don't procrestinate and be lazy. If you haven't been carrying your shield of faith because you found it heavy and cumbersome. If you have be lugging it but failing to utilise it properly - lift it up! Let faith arise in you that you would be able to dispel the attacks that would cause you to waver.
Blessings,
M.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 6:13
