How Faith Extinguishes Fear
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the armour of God, he likely had a Roman soldier in mind. When he speaks of the "shield," he uses a specific word, thyreos, which refers to a large, oblong shield shaped like a door. This wasn't a small buckler for a bit of light sparring. It was a massive piece of equipment designed to cover the whole person and protect them from dangerous missiles.
In our spiritual lives, we need this kind of comprehensive protection because we have a very real enemy. The Bible is clear that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Paul warns us about "flaming arrows" or missiles. In the ancient world, these were often arrows dipped in pitch and set on fire, designed not just to wound but to burn and destroy. In our experience, these flaming darts often take the form of sudden fears, blasphemous thoughts, doubts, or burning discouragement that the enemy launches at us to unsettle our peace.
This is where the shield of faith comes in. But please notice that a shield is of no use if it is lying on the ground or leaning against a wall. It must be "lifted up" or "taken up" to be effective. Faith is not a passive feeling. It is an active reliance on God. It is a look away from ourselves and our inadequate resources, and an entirely outward look to God. As one commentator has noted, the true safeguard in the evil day lies not in introspection but in looking Godward.
When the devil attacks us with unpleasant circumstances or thoughts that cause us to feel afraid, we must immediately lift up this shield. How do we do that practically? We do it by deciding to trust God's character and His promises rather than our own panic. We see this perfectly modelled by Jesus in the wilderness. When Satan tempted Him to doubt God's provision and care, Jesus did not argue with his own logic. Instead, He lifted the shield by saying, "It is written" and quoting Scripture. He stood on the unshakeable Word of God.
We can do the same. When the enemy whispers that you are alone or forgotten, you lift your shield by saying, "No, I trust God in this situation, for He has said He will never leave me nor forsake me." It is helpful to say this out loud. Faith extinguishes the fire of fear because it connects us to God's power. As the Psalms repeatedly remind us, God Himself is our shield and our glory. When we take refuge in Him, relying not on our own understanding but on His faithfulness, the enemy's darts hit the shield and sizzle out, harmless.
So, do not leave your shield on the ground today. Take hold of God's promises with a firm grip. Trusting in the Lord is the victory that overcomes the world.
Prayer:
Father God, You are my hiding place and my shield. I thank You for the defence You have provided against the enemy's attacks. Forgive me for the times I have tried to fight in my own strength or let my shield drop in discouragement. Help me today to lift up the shield of faith. When fear and doubt come my way, help me to extinguish them immediately by trusting in Your character and speaking Your Word. I choose to trust You in every situation I face today. In Jesus' name, Amen.