A shield is a steel instrument of warfare that is used for protection against the enemy arrows during war times. It is usually worn around the chest region to cover the heart against spears and arrows of the enemies that might want to hit the heart.
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The world is a battle field between forces loyal to the kingdom of darkness and those loyal to the kingdom of light. For a believer to be on the side of victory in this raging war, faith in God is the indispensable shield against the fiery darts of the wicked.
For a believer to enjoy peace in this journey of life, he or she needs to be fully equipped spiritually as the war is not a carnal one, “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Although other weapons of warfare are needed, but having all the paraphernalia of warfare without faith will still leave the believer vulnerable to the attack of the enemy.
Faith, then, is the believer’s protective armour against the wiles and onslaught of the devil. It is faith that empowers the believers to dare the seemingly impossible foes and overcome them. A life of faith is a life of victory.
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David confronted and overcame the champion of the Philistines (Goliath) through faith even when nobody gave him the chance of survival (1 Samuel 17:32-37). He recognised the superiority of faith in God over earthly weapons and the result is documented in the bible for our learning and encouragement.
Many spectacular acts of faith were recorded in the bible. Kingdoms were subdued; violence’s of fire stopped and outstanding victories were achieved. Men and women of faith as recorded overcame all attacks of the enemy irrespective of how fierce and scary they were.
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However, faith is never passive. All the victories through faith came by action and confession. Faith works in obedience to Gods commands (Exodus 14:13-16, 21-31). The wall of Jericho was pulled down by the mere shout of the people of Israel by obedience to the instruction of God through Joshua (Joshua 6:3-5, 12-16, 20).Faith is also strengthened by righteousness. Hezekiah had fifteen years added to his life by beseeching God in faith and on the basis of righteousness (2 Kings 20:1-6).
Moreover, faith comes through devoted study of God’s word. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God” (Romans 10:17). It is the knowledge of the word of God that births and grows faith in the believer.
Finally, we can only enjoy the shield of faith when we truly believe on the Lord Jesus and accept him as Lord and Saviour and then study the word of God to grow our faith.
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THANKS AND GOD BLESS