Taking the Shield of Faith

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph. 6:16 KJV 

Still focusing on the armor of God, we are commanded to put on to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we are instructed to take the shield of faith so that we are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Victory over the enemy and sin has been accomplished and we need to exercise our faith in order for us to be continuously in this position.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 Jn. 5:18 KJV

The word “believeth” denotes the act and process of faith. It comes from the Greek verb pisteuo (NT:4100) which occurs 248 times in the New Testament. This use of the present tense indicates that faith must be continued in to receive its benefits. Acts 14:22; Eph. 6:16; Col. 1:23; 2:5-7; 1 Thes. 5:8; 1 Tim. 2:15; 3:9; 6:12; 2 Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:13; Heb. 10:23-38; 2 Pet. 1:5-10

Faith is a change of confidence, a new trust in God; to be persuaded of; Rom. 4:17-22; 8:38-39; 2 Tim. 1:12 place confidence in; Eph. 3:12; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 3:6,12-14; 10:35; 1 John 3:21;  5:14 the substance or conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen; Heb. 10:19-38; 11:1,6; Rom. 4:17; 8:24 absolute dependence upon and reliance in the Word of God and of Christ; Matt. 8:8-10; 15:28; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1-12:3 full surrender, yieldedness, and obedience to all known truth; Rom. 1:5; 16:26; 6:11-23; Jas. 2:14-26; 2 Cor. 10:4-7; Heb. 11:6 we must trust wholly and unreservedly in the faithfulness of God. Matt. 6:25-34; 12:21; Luke 12:28-31; Eph. 1:13; 1 Tim. 4:11; 6:17; 1 Cor. 10:13 Give one’s self over to a new way of life. Rom. 1:17; 6:11-23; 8:1-16; 2 Cor. 10:4-7; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10; Heb. 12:1-15; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Jn. 1:7; 2:6;  3:8-10;  4:17;  5:1-5,18 The attribute of God and restored faculty of man whereby both can bring into existence things that are unseen; Rom. 4:17; Gal. 5:22; Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Luke 17:6; Heb. 11 the whole body of revealed truth. Luke 18:8; Jude 1:3; Rom. 10:17; 1 Tim. 4:1,6; 6:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Joyful faith in, and acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sin and our Savior whereby one receives salvation Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom, 1:16; 3:24-31; Eph. 2:8-9; access into grace, Rom. 5:2 fulfillment of the promises, Heb. 6:12 the Holy Spirit, Gal. 3:14 righteousness, Rom. 4; 9:30,32; 10:6; Php. 3:9 sonship, Gal. 3:26 healing, Jas. 5:14-16; 1 Pet. 2:24 eternal life, John 3:15-18,36; 5:24; 6:47 and answers to every prayer Matt. 7:7-11; 21:21; Mark 11:22-24; Luke 18:1-8; John 14:12-15; 15:7,16

If we want to please God, we must have faith, which is an undeterred trust in Him and what He says He will do for us.  Without this trust in Him, we nullify all the promises He gave us and we make Him a liar.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Heb. 11:6 KJV

Faith is simple. It is believing God without wavering, without doubting, and without questioning what He says. It is taking God at His Word and believing that what He has promised He is able to perform it.  It is believing not only that He is able, but that He will do it. It is the quality of counting those things that “be not as though they were”. Rom. 4:17  The enemy knows that we can move mountains Matt. 17:20  with this kind of faith and thus need our shields down so that whatever he shoots at us, might struck.  The way to get faith is by hearing the Word of God. Rom. 10:17  The way to use faith is to take God at His Word and count Him faithful in granting what is asked for in the name of Jesus. Ask and then believe that it is done. Thank God for it as if it were already done. Expect the complete answer whether you see it at once or not. Forget symptoms, feelings, impossibilities, or anything to the contrary and it shall be done regardless of how impossible it may appear outwardly!

I choose to believe, to have the absolute conviction, that what God has promised and what I have asked, according to His Word, is done already!!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Heb 11:1-3 KJV

 

Feet Shod with Preparation

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace  Eph 6:15 KJV 

As we still contemplate the armor of God that we are commanded to put on to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might; we must have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace – being prepared and in readiness to bring the gospel that gives peace with every step we take, as the example was given to us through Christ Jesus’ life in 1 Peter 2:21-22:

For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth 

We have been called to live our lives according to His example ascribed in the gospels and consistent with the instructions as given in the Epistles by the Apostles.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom Col 3:15-16a KJV

The Gospel or the law of Christ, Gal. 6:2 are the grace of Christ which was preached not after man or received of man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:11-12 It is that which justifies Gal. 2:16 gives the Spirit, works miracles, redeems from the curse of the law. It brings the promise of faith, as well as the establishment and generation thereof. Gal.3; Rom. 10:17; 16:25 It produces the new birth, Gal. 4:21-31; 1 Pet. 1:23 gives salvation, Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:13 nourishes spiritual life, 1 Pet. 2:2 imparts grace Acts 20:24 and brings liberty which we must stand in, that sets us free. Gal, 5:1, 13; Jn. 8:31-36

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 5:1 which means we have a change in mind, a new tranquility in God.  Jesus did give us this assurance in John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world give, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

We have been warned not to be troubled or afraid because fear will remove our strength, love and sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7 I therefore choose to cast all my cares on my Heavenly Father and make my requests known to Him, always in thanksgiving. I will not tolerate anxiety or worry that will injure my soul and destroy my relationship with God and man.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Php. 4:6-7 KJV