Empowered by Faith: Our Shield Against Spiritual Attacks

 

Summary

In the midst of spiritual warfare, we are equipped with a powerful defense: the shield of faith. Just as Roman soldiers used large shields to protect themselves from enemy arrows, we have a spiritual shield designed to block the fiery darts of Satan. These fiery darts are not just ordinary arrows; they are spiritual distractions meant to expose us to further attacks. However, our shield of faith is vast and capable of covering every aspect of our lives.

Faith, in its essence, is acting as though God is telling the truth. It means believing in God's promises and acting on them, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. This kind of faith is not passive; it requires us to act as if what God has said is already a reality. When we do this, we erect a shield that can withstand the enemy's attacks. The Bible assures us that we will overcome the evil one by our faith. When God sees us standing firm in faith, He provides an invisible barrier of protection around us.

Hebrews 11 is a testament to the power of faith. It recounts the stories of men and women who, despite facing severe trials and assaults from the enemy, saw God accomplish incredible things through their faith. This same faith is available to us today. By trusting in God's truth and promises, we can experience His protection and victory in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The shield of faith is our spiritual defense against the fiery darts of Satan. These darts are designed to distract and expose us to further attacks, but our faith acts as a barrier, protecting us from harm. [00:36]

- Faith is acting as though God's promises are true, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It requires us to trust in God's truth over our feelings and facts, creating a shield that can withstand the enemy's attacks. [01:45]

- When we act in faith, God erects an invisible barrier of protection around us. This divine protection is a result of our belief in God's promises, allowing us to overcome the evil one. [02:21]

- Hebrews 11 demonstrates the power of faith through the stories of those who trusted God despite facing severe trials. Their faith led to incredible outcomes, showing us that the same faith can work in our lives today. [02:53]

- Our shield of faith is vast and capable of covering every aspect of our lives. By trusting in God's promises and acting on them, we can experience His protection and victory in our spiritual battles. [01:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:36] - The Shield of Faith
- [01:13] - Fiery Darts of Satan
- [01:45] - Spiritual Distractions
- [02:21] - Acting in Faith
- [02:53] - Faith in Hebrews 11

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:16 - "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
2. Hebrews 11 - A chapter recounting the stories of faith from various biblical figures.

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the purpose of the shield of faith as described in the sermon? [00:36]
2. How are the fiery darts of Satan described, and what is their intended effect on believers? [01:13]
3. According to the sermon, what does it mean to act in faith? [01:45]
4. How does Hebrews 11 illustrate the power of faith in the lives of believers? [02:53]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the shield of faith in Ephesians 6:16 relate to the idea of spiritual warfare presented in the sermon? [00:36]
2. In what ways do the fiery darts of Satan manifest as spiritual distractions in a believer's life? [01:45]
3. How does acting in faith, as described in the sermon, create a protective barrier against spiritual attacks? [02:21]
4. What lessons can be drawn from the examples of faith in Hebrews 11, and how do they apply to modern-day believers? [02:53]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt spiritually attacked. How did you respond, and how might the shield of faith have changed your response? [00:36]
2. Identify a current distraction in your life that could be a fiery dart from Satan. What steps can you take to minimize its impact? [01:13]
3. Think of a promise from God that you find difficult to believe in your current circumstances. How can you act in faith to trust that promise this week? [01:45]
4. Consider a time when you acted in faith despite challenging circumstances. What was the outcome, and how did it strengthen your faith? [02:21]
5. Choose one story from Hebrews 11 that resonates with you. How can you emulate the faith demonstrated in that story in your own life? [02:53]
6. How can you encourage someone else in your life to take up their shield of faith in the face of spiritual challenges? [00:36]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your faith covers every aspect of your life, as described in the sermon? [01:13]

Devotional

Day 1: The Shield of Faith as Our Defense
In the spiritual battles we face, the shield of faith serves as our primary defense against the fiery darts of Satan. These darts are not mere inconveniences; they are spiritual distractions and temptations designed to weaken our resolve and expose us to further attacks. However, the shield of faith is vast and capable of covering every aspect of our lives, providing a protective barrier that can withstand these assaults. By trusting in God's promises and standing firm in faith, we can block these fiery darts and remain steadfast in our spiritual journey. [00:36]

Ephesians 6:16 (ESV): "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one."

Reflection: Identify a specific distraction or temptation you are currently facing. How can you actively use your faith as a shield to protect yourself from this challenge today?


Day 2: Faith as Active Trust in God's Promises
Faith is not a passive belief but an active trust in God's promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It requires us to act as though what God has said is already a reality, trusting in His truth over our feelings and facts. This kind of faith creates a shield that can withstand the enemy's attacks, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with confidence and assurance. By living out our faith in this way, we demonstrate our reliance on God's truth and experience His protection in our lives. [01:45]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Think of a promise from God that you struggle to believe fully. What is one practical step you can take today to act on that promise as if it were already fulfilled?


Day 3: Divine Protection Through Faith
When we act in faith, God erects an invisible barrier of protection around us. This divine protection is a result of our belief in God's promises, allowing us to overcome the evil one. As we stand firm in faith, God sees our trust and provides a shield that guards us against spiritual attacks. This assurance of protection empowers us to face life's challenges with courage, knowing that we are not alone in our battles. [02:21]

Psalm 91:4 (ESV): "He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's protection in your life. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and protection in your current circumstances?


Day 4: The Power of Faith in Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11 is a testament to the power of faith, recounting the stories of men and women who trusted God despite facing severe trials. Their faith led to incredible outcomes, demonstrating that the same faith is available to us today. By trusting in God's truth and promises, we can experience His protection and victory in our lives, just as those in Hebrews 11 did. This chapter serves as an encouragement to persevere in faith, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. [02:53]

Hebrews 11:33-34 (ESV): "Who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight."

Reflection: Choose one story from Hebrews 11 that resonates with you. How can the example of faith in that story inspire you to trust God in a specific area of your life today?


Day 5: The Comprehensive Coverage of Faith
Our shield of faith is vast and capable of covering every aspect of our lives. By trusting in God's promises and acting on them, we can experience His protection and victory in our spiritual battles. This comprehensive coverage ensures that no part of our lives is left vulnerable to the enemy's attacks. As we grow in faith, we learn to rely on God's strength and wisdom, allowing His truth to guide us in every situation we encounter. [01:13]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel vulnerable or unprotected. How can you apply your faith to this area, trusting in God's promises to provide comprehensive coverage and peace?

Quotes


In a battle, in a war, it's common in biblical days that the Roman soldier would have a shield. This shield is to block, thwart, the tools that the enemy is using, in that case arrows, from hitting the soldier. We have a shield that is designed to block what Satan is shooting at us from hitting us. [00:00:05]

We don't get to stop what he shoots. We don't get to stop where he aims. We do get to stop it reaching its desired goal. And how do we do that? Well this shield is called the shield of faith. You know, the Roman soldier's shield was so big that the whole body of the Roman soldier could hide behind it. [00:00:36]

Well, God has given us a shield so worthy, so big, that it can cover all of your life. It's called the fiery darts of Satan. These are arrows that have been dipped in oil and set aflame, so they're not just arrows. Why fiery darts? You remember the cowboys and Indians. [00:00:54]

The cowboys and Indians were fighting and the Indians surrounded the wagon train. One Indian would take an arrow, right it, and shoot the canvas of a wagon. That was not designed to shoot the cowboy. That was designed to shoot the camouflage, so that now all the soldiers, the Cowboys, would be exposed. [00:01:13]

What Satan wants to do is create spiritual distractions, the fiery dart, to expose us to his frontal assault and frontal attacks. But we have the shield of faith. What is faith? Faith is acting like God is telling the truth. It's acting like it is so even when it's not so, in order that it might be so, simply because God says so. [00:01:40]

When you act in faith based on what God has said, trumping your feelings and even trumping the facts, because you get into the truth, then you have erected a shield of faith. And the Bible says we will overcome the evil one by our faith. So when God sees you believe him, in spite of the attacks coming against you, [00:01:57]

then God will erect a barrier, an invisible barrier, to cover you to protect you, in spite of the attacks against you. Hebrews 11 gives what was accomplished when men and women acted in faith and saw God do some amazing things, in spite of the fact that often they were under assault by the enemy. [00:02:21]

That same faith that worked for them, God wants to use it to work for us. [00:02:53]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 03, 2018. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?