A deeper look at the Armor of God. Part 8

D. Taking the Shield of Faith

words within the [....] are the Greek or Hebrew transliteration of the English word they follow
words within the {....} are the phonetic pronunciation of the Hebrew or Greek transliteration they follow

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

1. This shield of faith must be very important if we are being encouraged to take it "above all" the other components of the armor. Why? (22. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils Luke 11:22 (KJV)). If you lose your armor at least you still have your shield to quench the missiles and darts thrown your way. Keep this in mind that you usually will lose your armor before you lose your shield. Paul could have possibly had the [thorax stadias] meaning " the breastplate that stands alone in mind when he wrote this.

2. ......ye shall be able Eph. 6:16 (KJV) Here the Word of God states that with this shield of faith we shall be able....

a. Remember this is God's armor he is providing for our defense, this shield is also the Lord's which he makes available to us as well. (20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 (KJV)) and also (13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13(KJV)). When we have faith that His Armor is what we need to win the battles of life, then we can stop putting forth our own effort to win these battles. This armor is real and it is applied to our life by our understanding what it is and what it means to us personally. It is not applied by rubbing the Bible over our bodies first thing in the morning or by simply confessing, "I apply the Armor of God to my life today". Believe it or not these are things that I have had people tell me that they do. If we put on the Armor of God unlike natural armor we do not have to take it off! But it grows in it's effectiveness by more wisdom and understanding.

b. With the shield of faith we will be able to do what? Quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. These are not just thoughts but as indicated by the term "fiery" these darts are designed to inflame ones emotions. (14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.James 1:14 (KJV)) also, ......having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV) Do a word study on "all" and find out how complete God expects our victories to be. All- [Pas]- {pas}- the whole of something. Like the whole of your emotions. satan doesn't want to just capture you at one place in your emotions he wants to control all of your emotions!!!!!!

• Let's look at the word Faith. (1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1 (KJV)).

1. Faith- [Pistis]- {pis-tis}- confidence, faithfulness, trust, pledge of trust

a. True faith (mixture of faith and belief) is all encompassing. It affects:

1. The way we think

2. The way we feel

3. The way we speak

4. What we say

5. How we act

• Here are some examples:

1. (4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Heb 11:4 (KJV)).......... Worship and Giving

2. (5. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:4-5 (KJV)) ..........The way he walked with God

3. (7. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Heb 11:7 (KJV)) ..........Work for God

4. (8. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:8-10 (KJV)) ..........His obedience to God

5. (11. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. Heb 11:11-12 (KJV)) ..........Condition of her life

• Think of faith as a pledge of trust or like a title deed. When the scripture states, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen"! Why does it state things hoped for/ things not seen?

1. Merely by the fact that you have the ability to believe in things you cannot see is evidence of the God. God has given us this supernatural ability. Faith! (3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.Romans 12:3 (KJV)). Remember we have all been dealt the measure of faith. We don't need much. Jesus said all we needed to move a mountain was faith the size of a mustard seed. You will never have any problem with your faith. What we have problems with is what we believe or our unbelief. Look at this; (23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:23-24 (KJV)).

2. (4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing .James 1:4 (KJV)). The word "perfect"- [Teleios]- {tel-i-os}- here means complete or mature. Remember God does not work in incompleteness. God wants our faith to permeate our whole life. For faith to become complete it takes a process of time. (12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12 (KJV)). Patience is the vehicle through which our faith is made complete.

a. Our problem with the patience process is fainting...(9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal 6:9 (KJV)). What happens when we faint? We stumble...(23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Psalms 37:23-24 (KJV)).

b. Have you ever thought you were failing miserably on this adventure called Christianity? Never forget that we are on a journey in which God is bringing your faith and my faith into maturity and completeness. God is more concerned about our character then our gifts or abilities.

c. The most important thing to consider here is what do you and I believe? (6. 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)).

1. Faith is the God given substance that works with what we believe. (20. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:20-24 (KJV)). Jesus had cursed the fig tree the day before. Remember what the Lord said, (22."Have faith in God (out of 52 of my bible translations 9 of those translate "have faith in God as "have the faith of God" I personally believe the later.) Mark 11:22 (KJV)). There is a difference between Natural faith and God's faith (which is where our measure of faith comes from).. and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God ..Gal 2:20 (KJV)

a. What kind of faith does our Father God have? (17. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Romans 4:17 (KJV)). Our problem is that we believe what we speak but God speaks what He believes.

1. Who qualifies for this kind of faith that speaks to mountains?...For verily I say unto you, That WHOSOEVER shall say unto this mountain, Mark 11:23 (KJV) Remember...as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.Romans 12:3 (KJV) Everyone has been dealt the measure of faith. This scripture in Mark is talking about believing. That is why Jesus in verse 24 states "therefore". He addresses everyone in verse 23 but addresses the principle of faith in verse 24 to the disciples. Basically, that if any man has the faith to speak to a mountain and have it removed by believing in his heart how much more when we approach the Father believing will we have our prayers answered!

a. Doubt creates an unstable faith environment, (5. of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (KJV)). The word unstable creates an environment easy to stumble in. (2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:2-3 (KJV)). We are on a journey that for some of us can take some time. Over a period of time we have allowed much unbelief to settle into our minds and create strongholds of unbelief which hinders the manifestation of the miraculous.

• With God's help we can destroy these strongholds, (2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cor 10:2-5 (KJV)). Let us start to speak, think and believe the Word of God. Remember how is that we are transformed? (2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:2 (KJV)).

So our "Shield of Faith" speaks of the condition of our Faith.