The Shield of Faith
How to Resist the Fiery Darts of the Evil One
The waves roil violently as the storm intensifies on the sea of Galilee. Fear swells within Peter as the realization hits him that he is walking on the surface of the water. Jesus stands before him with love and concern in his eyes. Peter begins to doubt. Suddenly, the support beneath him gives way and Peter outstretches his hand toward his savior and yells, “Help me, Lord!”
The story of Peter walking on water provides a vivid example of the consequences of faltering faith. In Matthew 14:22–33, Jesus sends His disciples ahead of Him across the Sea of Galilee while He retreats to pray. As night falls, a storm arises, and the disciples struggle against the wind and waves. In the midst of their fear, they see Jesus walking on the water toward them. Astonished and terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost. But Jesus reassures them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).
Peter, ever bold, calls out, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus invites him, and Peter steps out of the boat, walking on the waves toward his Master. For a brief moment, his faith allows him to accomplish the impossible, defying natural laws. However, as soon as Peter notices the strength of the wind and the height of the waves, his faith falters. Fear takes hold, and he begins to sink. Desperate, he cries out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30).
Jesus immediately reaches out and grabs Peter, gently rebuking him: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Peter’s momentary lapse in faith didn’t just rob him of his ability to walk on water—it exposed him to the danger of drowning. His experience serves as a reminder that doubt and fear can breach the shield of faith, leaving us vulnerable to life’s storms.
This account invites us to reflect on our own faith. How often do we, like Peter, start out strong but falter when the winds of adversity rise? What can we learn from his moment of doubt? And how does Paul’s metaphor of the shield of faith in Ephesians 6 equip us to stand firm in the face of life’s challenges? Let us explore this critical piece of spiritual armor and its significance for believers today.
The Full Armor of God: Context and Purpose
In Ephesians 6:10–18, Paul exhorts believers to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). This passage is both a call to spiritual vigilance and a reminder of the tools God provides to withstand the enemy. Each piece of armor Paul describes serves a specific purpose, collectively equipping Christians for spiritual warfare:
The Belt of Truth – Grounding us in truth (Personal integrity & overcoming lies).
The Breastplate of Righteousness – Protecting our hearts with Christ’s righteousness.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace –Standing firm in the peace of God and sharing the Gospel of Peace.
The Shield of Faith – Guarding us from the fiery arrows of the enemy.
The Helmet of Salvation – Securing our minds in the assurance of salvation.
The Sword of the Spirit – Empowering us with the Word of God as an offensive weapon.
Each element corresponds to a piece of Roman armor, providing believers with a vivid and tangible understanding of spiritual protection. Paul’s imagery of the shield of faith, in particular, offers a powerful picture of how faith sustains us through life’s storms—whether on the Sea of Galilee or in our daily battles.
The Roman Shield: A Tower of Protection
When Paul referred to the “shield of faith” in Ephesians 6:16, his audience would have envisioned the shield used by Roman soldiers, known as the “scutum” (σκουτος in Greek). This was no ordinary shield; it was a large, rectangular structure, often curved, designed to cover a soldier from head to knee. Measuring approximately 4 feet in height and 2.5 feet in width, the scutum provided extensive protection, allowing soldiers to advance confidently against their enemies.
The shield was constructed using layers of wood, linen, and leather, with its exterior reinforced by animal hide. This animal hide, while durable, required regular maintenance. Soldiers would anoint it with oil daily to prevent it from becoming brittle and cracking under pressure. If neglected, the shield would lose its effectiveness, leaving the soldier vulnerable to attacks. This practice offers a striking parallel to Peter’s story—when his faith was strong, it acted like a well-maintained shield, enabling him to walk on water. But the moment he allowed fear to creep in, his shield weakened, and he began to sink.
Faith as a Shield: Protecting Against Fiery Arrows
In ancient warfare, fiery arrows were a devastating weapon. Dipped in pitch and set ablaze, these arrows were designed to cause chaos and destruction. The Roman shield was uniquely equipped to neutralize this threat. Its layers of hide, when properly oiled, would extinguish the flames upon impact. Paul draws on this imagery, explaining that the shield of faith is able to “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).
Spiritually, these fiery darts represent the enemy’s attacks—doubts, fears, temptations, and lies meant to destabilize and discourage believers. Peter experienced this firsthand on the water. As long as his faith remained fixed on Jesus, he was shielded from the storm’s threats. But the moment he let doubt pierce his shield, he became vulnerable. Faith acts as a shield by intercepting these assaults and rendering them ineffective, keeping us anchored in God’s truth and promises.
The Daily Anointing of Faith: Worship as Maintenance
Just as the Roman soldier anointed his shield daily with oil, believers must nurture their faith through daily worship and communion with God. Worship is not merely a ritual; it is an act of aligning our hearts and minds with God’s truth, reminding ourselves of His faithfulness and power. In worship, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty, declare His promises, and fortify our spirits against the challenges of life.
Peter’s story underscores the importance of this daily renewal. His initial faith in Jesus was strong enough to sustain him on the waves, but when his focus shifted to the wind and waves, fear crept in. Daily worship helps us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, maintaining the strength of our shield of faith even in life’s most turbulent moments.
Faith and worship are inseparably linked. Worship fuels our faith, and faith drives our worship. When we lift our eyes to God in praise, we are reminded of His greatness, His past victories, and His unchanging nature. This practice strengthens our faith, equipping us to face whatever fiery arrows the enemy may launch our way.
The Roman Phalanx and the Power of Fellowship
One of the most remarkable tactics of the Roman army was their use of the phalanx formation, where soldiers would lock their shields together to create an impenetrable wall of protection. This strategic alignment was called the testudo, or “tortoise” formation. In this arrangement, soldiers on the front lines held their shields outward, while those behind them lifted their shields overhead to guard against aerial attacks, such as arrows. The result was a tightly-knit, virtually indestructible unit that could withstand even the fiercest onslaughts.
This formation highlights the importance of unity and mutual support in battle. A lone soldier, no matter how skilled or well-equipped, was vulnerable when isolated. However, by standing shoulder to shoulder with their comrades, the soldiers gained unparalleled strength and security.
Fellowship: Locking Shields of Faith
The Roman testudo provides a powerful metaphor for Christian fellowship. In the spiritual battles we face, God never intended for us to fight alone. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 10:24–25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” When believers come together in fellowship, they lock their shields of faith, creating a spiritual phalanx that strengthens and protects the entire community.
Fellowship allows us to:
Bear Each Other’s Burdens: In Galatians 6:2, Paul exhorts believers to “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Just as Roman soldiers would cover one another with their shields, we can shield one another through prayer, encouragement, and support in times of struggle.
Encourage and Strengthen Faith: Fellowship helps guard against doubt and discouragement. Like Peter, who began to sink when he lost focus on Jesus, we can lose our footing in isolation. However, a community of believers can remind us of God’s faithfulness and help lift us back up.
Stand Firm Together: In Philippians 1:27, Paul urges believers to “stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” The enemy’s attacks are less effective when we are united, supporting one another and standing firm in our collective faith.
Lessons from the Testudo for Fellowship
The Roman testudo was only effective when every soldier did their part. A single gap in the shield wall could compromise the entire unit. Similarly, in Christian fellowship, each believer plays a vital role in the strength and health of the community. By faithfully taking up our own shields of faith and locking them with others, we protect not only ourselves but also our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Practical Application of the Shield of Faith
So, how can believers today take up the shield of faith? Here are a few practical steps:
Daily Worship: Begin each day with praise and thanksgiving, focusing on God’s character and promises.
Meditation on Scripture: Regularly study and meditate on God’s Word to build a foundation of truth that strengthens your faith.
Prayer: Engage in consistent prayer, bringing your fears, doubts, and struggles before God.
Community: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage and support you in your faith journey.
Remembrance: Reflect on God’s past faithfulness in your life, allowing His track record to bolster your confidence in His future provision.
Remember, failure to do any of these actions above does not result in the loss of salvation for Christians. You are saved by grace through faith when you believed, it is not necessary to constantly maintain strong faith devoid of all doubt in order to maintain salvation. Every child of God wrestles with their faith from time to time. Peter denied Jesus to his face three times and Thomas required Jesus to physically prove his resurrection but Jesus did not forsake either of them.
Conclusion: The Unshakable Shield
The shield of faith is not merely a defensive tool; it is a dynamic and indispensable part of the believer’s spiritual armor. Like the Roman scutum, it provides comprehensive protection, enabling us to withstand the enemy’s fiery darts and march forward in victory. However, like the Roman shield, our faith must be maintained daily through worship, prayer, and a steadfast focus on God.
Peter’s story reminds us of what is possible when faith is strong and what dangers arise when it falters. Like Peter, we will face storms, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting Him to sustain us. The question remains: Is your shield of faith strong and well-oiled with daily worship, or has it become brittle from neglect? Take up your shield, fortify it with faith, and stand firm. For in Christ, the victory is already ours.
Have you ever found yourself in a moment where, like Peter, you stepped out in faith but were overcome by doubt when the winds of adversity rose? Have you neglected the shield of faith, leaving yourself vulnerable to fear, uncertainty, and the fiery arrows of the enemy? If so, take heart and turn to God in prayer. Let this be your moment to renew your faith and lift your shield once more.
Heavenly Father, I come before You acknowledging my doubts and fears. Like Peter, I often start with bold faith, but when the storms of life rise, I lose focus and begin to sink. Forgive me for the times I’ve neglected to trust in Your promises and failed to take up the shield of faith.
Lord, I ask for Your strength to stand firm. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, no matter the challenges I face. Anoint my faith daily through worship, prayer, and the truth of Your Word. Teach me to rely on Your power, not my own, and to extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy with confidence in Your unfailing love.
Thank You for being my refuge and shield. I commit today to walking in faith, trusting in Your perfect plan, and standing firm in Your victory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Bibliography
Arnold, Clinton E. Powers of Darkness: Principalities and Powers in Paul’s Letters. IVP Academic, 1992.
Barclay, William. The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians. Westminster John Knox Press, 2002.
Carson, D.A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. Zondervan Academic, 2005.
Ferguson, Sinclair. The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction. Banner of Truth, 1981.
Fee, Gordon D. Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God. Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.
Lloyd-Jones, Martyn. The Christian Warfare. Baker Book House, 1976.
MacArthur, John. The Believer’s Armor. Thomas Nelson, 1986.
Piper, John. Future Grace. Multnomah Books, 1995.
Stott, John R.W. The Message of Ephesians. InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Wright, N.T. Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
Scripture References
Matthew 14:22–33
Matthew 14:27
Matthew 14:28
Matthew 14:30
Matthew 14:31
Ephesians 6:10–18
Ephesians 6:11
Ephesians 6:16
Hebrews 11:8–10
Exodus 14:21–22
Hebrews 11:29
1 Kings 18:36–39
Numbers 14:26–30