…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

                                                                                                                 Ephesians 6:16 

Although we are told to put on the full armor of God, I can’t help but view the shield of faith as my favorite piece of armor. This one seems to have a slightly different characteristic than the first three. Unlike the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet ready with the gospel, all which are affixed to a part of our body (figuratively), the shield of faith is something that we can maneuver with our hands. That means that faith can be positioned against every attack of the enemy. And Paul is clear; this shield is “able to extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Faith is powerful in battle and it is our faith that acts as a shield against anything that would stand against us.

The Amplified Bible defines faith as “a personal trust”, “a confident surrender”, and “a firm reliance” on Jesus. It is not enough to have faith rather it is the object of our faith that brings spiritual power and defense. We must place our complete trust in the Person of Jesus Christ for salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life. Once we find ourselves in a saving relationship with Him by faith, the shield is ours to use and use effectively.

Scripture also has its definition of faith. Consider these words:

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.

                                                                                                Hebrews 11:1-2 (AMP) 

Faith is assurance. It is not merely hoping (in the human sense of uncertainty) that something will happen, it is belief in the certainty that it will. When things are already happening as a matter of reality, faith is not required. Faith is the conviction that something, although not experienced as reality yet, will come to pass. This is how the people of the Old Testament gained God’s approval. And even though God has made a new covenant with us, faith is still required in order to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). This speaks volumes on the character and nature of God. He desires for us to know Him, enjoy His presence, and for His children to completely rest and trust in His provision and protection. The world screams at us with a different message. Reliance on God is foolishness for those who do not know God but for those of us who belong to Him (1 Corinthians 1:18), it is an honor and a pleasure to rest in Him.

There is an account in the New Testament in which Jesus happens upon a desperate father (Mark 9:14-29). This man’s son was possessed by a demon and it was throwing the boy into water and fire in an attempt to destroy him. Desperate to help his son, the man brought him to Jesus. The next words that come from Jesus are very telling:

“O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”

                                                                                                                        Mark 9:19 

It wasn’t that Jesus did not have any sympathy for the boy or lacked a desire to help. He would indeed deliver the boy from the demon and the family would be provided the relief for which they had so earnestly searched. But Jesus’ declaration over the entire generation of that day is telling. He accused them of being an unbelieving generation. He didn’t call out a specific sin in which they were involved rather He identified their unbelief as the major issue.

Today, I wonder if God is still asking the same of us? Are we an unbelieving generation or a people ready to move forward in the assurance and confidence that true faith in Christ will bring? I believe this is a question that the church needs to ask of itself. But there is more. The father’s response to Jesus also identifies that the issue was about faith:

“But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 

                                                                                    Mark 9:22b 

And Jesus’ response:

“‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 

                                                                                    Mark 9:23 

I can’t help but find this rather amusing. The man is speaking to the Creator of the universe (although I don’t believe he knew that at this point) and he is asking Jesus if He can do anything. Only a loving God would respond the way that Jesus did. He didn’t scold or criticize the man rather He responded with truth and it is a truth that all of us should put in our arsenal of spiritual weaponry. “All things are possible to him who believes.” When we fail to take this spiritual truth to heart, we put ourselves in a position of missing out on the very miraculous things that God desires to do in our lives. As Jesus visited Nazareth, His hometown, scripture tells us that He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58). Unbelief blocks the working of God in our lives. It is through faith that we will see supernatural protection and provision.

But let’s go back to the father and the demon-possessed boy. Upon hearing the truth that “all things are possible to him who believes,” the father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). What an honest and tremendous statement that is! I believe that all of us should continue to pray that kind of prayer. “Father, I do believe but help my unbelief.” God already knows at what point we are in our spiritual growth. As we mature in our walk with Him, our faith should be growing in direct proportion to our relationship with Him. If we are neglecting the very priority of spending time with God, we can expect that to affect our faith life. But as we make coming into the presence of God a priority, we will see our faith grow.

Remember, Jesus tells us that mountain-moving living only requires faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). Faith…it is the catalyst for seeing the mighty moving of God in our lives!