Understanding The Armor of God by Stella Ashworth | Page 12

CHAPTER FOUR
Shield of Faith
“above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one”
Ephesians 6:16
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
The Roman shield 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 shield, and a
leather strap fastened to the back. The shield had a metal projection in the center 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.
The shield of faith not only defends our whole body but also our armor. It keeps the darts of the enemy away from the head,
chest, waist, arms and legs. No wonder the Bible says we should have it 'above all'.
The shield of faith has a very specific function, which the Bible makes abundantly clear: quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
one. Not some of them but all of them.
The shield moves with the attack. A skilled soldier can use the shield to hold back the darts of the enemy no matter the direction
they come from. When the shield is down the other weapons are exposed.
In the book of Psalms, David compared the protection of the Lord to a shield.
Psalm 3:3
“But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts