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