The Shield Of Faith || Spiritual Warfare Series

Your shield of faith (Hebrews 11:16)

Faith is described as a shield in the Bible.

The Roman Shield, or Scrutum, was made from bonded wood strips and covered with leather. The shield was not flat but semi-circular so that any missiles thrown at the soldier would be deflected to one side. Iron or brass rims fitted along the edges of the shied, and a leather strap fastened to the back. The shield had a metal projection in the center (The boss or umbo) which was used to stun or wind an opponent, easing the soldier’s subsequent strike with his sword. For this reason, the shield was both a defensive tool and an offensive weapon.

Faith brings powerful results, for when faith is joined with the results of the Word in your mind, heart, and life, you can withstand the onslaught of the enemy and render the enemy’s fiery darts ineffective.

What is Faith?

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The things hoped for must be God’s will. If they don’t line up with God’s will, then He didn’t place them on our heart.

The substance of things hoped for

5287 hupostasis (hoop-os’-tas-is); a setting under (support),

This is something real that God wants to give us. It has substance. but we presently see it only by faith.

A.W. Tozer said: “Faith is seeing the invisible, but not the nonexistent.”

The evidence of things not seen.

By faith we know that God will give us what He has placed in our hearts.

Faith is a gift of God. He’s given us the desires, the things hoped for, then we begin to pray and wait on Him.

1.We pray fervently, because we have a great desire for the things hoped for. God doesn’t honor lukewarm hearts.

2.We pray with perseverance. We know God wants us to have these things hoped for, and we will not give up.

3.We pray until God floods our hearts with faith. Until He gives us the assurance that the things hoped for are ours.

It is essential to pray through, to receive that assurance from God. It is the proof that God will give the things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not yet seen.

People praying for forgiveness and salvation often stop short of the assurance from God. Then they have doubts about their salvation.

People praying about desires God has given them often stop short of receiving the assurance or “evidence” from God. Then they soon have doubts about the things hoped for. Was it a desire given by God, or just my desire? Did God really call me, or is it just what I want?

When we have the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of the things not seen, then we have what we are hoping for. We are certain it is ours, even though it hasn’t arrived yet. We wait in expectation.

The whole process of faith is greatly enhanced by the Word of God. God often gives us those desires or “things hoped for” through the Word of God. God also often gives us the “evidence” or proof from the Word as well.

Faith pleases God

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews11:5-6)

Living by Faith

Hebrews 11:6 – Those who please God, (bring joy to His Heart) live by faith.

1 John 5:4 – this is our deliverance, our victory that overcomes the world, our FAITH. Our faith is upon the Word of God, HIS PROMISES to us – Romans 10:17 “faith comes by hearing and the hearing (of faith) by the Word of God.”

“.. . Fear Not, Only Believe. . .” Luke 8:50 “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7.

The Shield Of Faith is the weapon by which you take every thought captive and extinguish the fiery darts of Satan’s lies in your mind.

The Shield Of Faith || Spiritual Warfare Series

Authority Of The Believer || Spiritual Warfare Series

Your Spiritual Authority

A solid understanding of spiritual authority is vital to build your faith when casting out demons, healing the sick, and exercising your authority over the powers of darkness.

When we have been given authority to cast out demons, but instead we pray that God brings the demon out instead, we are basically asking God to do something that He gave US the tools to do ourselves! Jesus told US to cast out demons!

Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to ask God to cast out demons!

Mark 13:34, “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”

How authority works

Authority doesn’t beg; authority doesn’t ask; authority commands! We are not told to ask God to cast out demons, we are told to do it ourselves! We are not told to beg demons to come out, we are told to CAST them out!

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are given authority.

Matthew 10:1
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Authority has been given to “Them who believe”

Jesus gave His disciples authority to carry out His will here on earth, but they weren’t the only ones. He also gave ALL believers authority to heal the sick and cast out devils as well! (Mark 16:17-18)

Authority to cast out demons: Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…”

Authority to heal the sick: Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Mark 13:34, “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”

In Christ, we are given authority to bind and to loose

Matthew 16:18-19
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

We have authority because we are in Christ, and He has all authority.

Ephesians 2:4-6
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Colossians 2:9-10
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Our focus is to be upon Christ, and what He did for us.

Luke 10:17-20
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Authority Of The Believer || Spiritual Warfare Series