Grosey's Messages

Ephesians 6:16  Ready For Battle #6 Shield of faith

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Chip Ingram writes "At the time Paul wrote to the Ephesians, there were two kinds of shields. One was a small, round, handheld shield like the kind you always see in movies about ancient gladiators. That's not what Paul was referring to. The shield in this passage was about four feet high and two and a half feet wide. It had hooks on the sides to link it to other shields in a line so that an entire row of soldiers could advance without exposing themselves to incoming arrows. It was common for enemies to dip their arrows in pitch, light them, and then pelt the opposing soldiers with thousands of destructive, flaming missiles. So the Romans made their shields with iron and two layers of wood, wrapped them in linen, and covered it all with leather. But they would leave a gap between layers so flaming arrows could penetrate far enough into the shield to be quickly extinguished. One soldier is said to have come in from the battle lines with two hundred once-fiery arrows still stuck in his shield. That's the metaphor Paul uses, and his readers understood exactly what he meant.

There were 2 sorts of shields, the smaller round one and the bigger oblong one.

The Roman panoply consists firstly of a shield (scutum), the convex surface of which measures two and a half feet in width and four feet in length, the thickness at the rim being a palm's breadth. It is made of two planks glued together, the outer surface being then covered first with canvas and then with calf-skin. Its upper and lower rims are strengthened by an iron edging which protects it from descending blows and from injury when rested on the ground. It also has an iron boss (umbo) fixed to it which turns aside the most formidable blows of stones, pikes, and heavy missiles in general. (Polybius, Hist. 6.23.2–5).

The iron boss is that central button like thing that sticks out.

But fire-darts (a kind of missile) (malleoli, teli genus) are made in this form: the shaft is of reed, and between this and the point is a covering of bands of iron; it looks like a woman's distaff for making linen threads. It is skillfully hollowed out on the lower side with many openings, and in the cavity fire and some inflammable matter are placed. And if it is shot slowly from a somewhat loose bow (for it is extinguished by too swift a flight) and has stuck anywhere, it burns persistently, and water poured upon it rouses the fire to still greater heat; and there is no way of extinguishing it except by sprinkling it with dust.⁶¹

 The impact of these flaming arrows could be minimized by making the right preparations. Paul expands the imagery by saying that they could be extinguished. The function of the calfskin on the front of the shield was to prevent the incendiary arrows from igniting the shield and burning it up. The historian Thucydides, for instance, describes how a city under attack covered the wooden walls with skins and hides to protect the timber "against the attacks of burning missiles" (Thucydides 2.75.4). Similarly, Josephus describes the same use of fresh animal hides to protect wooden walls during the Jewish war so that the "missiles would slide off them, and the fire that was thrown would be quenched by the moisture that was in them" (Jos., J.W. 3.173). The drenched hides on the front of the shields had the same function when the fiery arrows landed on them.

The original idea was of a door which you held in front of you, and behind which you could hide. Later it was altered into an oblong shape; but it was still meant to cover most of the body. But still more important is the fact that this shield had a fire-proof metal lining placed upon it, the significance of which, of course, is immediately obvious. The shield was made of wood, but it had this fire-proof wet calf skin on the front and a surrounding metal lining on its edges and a metal (copper or iron) Boss in the centre so that as you held it up to face the enemy who was throwing his fiery darts at you, the darts would fall upon this fire-proof calf lining, with a metal centre piece and surround to prevent damage.

The ultimate cause of all spiritual depression is unbelief. For if it were not for unbelief, even the devil could do nothing. It is because we listen to the devil instead of listening to God that we go down before him and fall before his attacks.   Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"In every circumstance.."

How do you regard every circumstance? Are you having a bad day? Or a bad week?

  "Fiery darts/missiles"  The plumbata was thrown "overhand" or "underhand." For a distance, darts were thrown "underhand."  The plumbata could hit a target, which was over 80 meters (260 feet) away. Each Soldier had about 5 attached to his shield.

The plumbata comprised iron tip, lead weight, and wooden shaft with fletching, which kept the tail to the rear. The length of the whole plumbata was around 30 centimeters (1 foot). The iron tip was 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) and the lead weight was 6 centimeters (2.3 inches) long.

The total weight was between 130 and 350 grams (4.5–12.3 ounces).

The plumbata didn't kill you, but it could seriously hurt you.

The dart was thrown high into the air and because of its lead weight, it fell upon the opponents at an almost 90-degree angle. As such, it could hurt unprotected parts of the body.

The plumbata was an effective harassing weapon

They were made either of wood or of metal, but their special feature was that they had a sharp point. They were like arrows or darts. They were made of material which was soaked in some inflammable substance. Then this material, impregnated with this inflammable substance, was wound round the point of the dart very tightly until it was firmly in position. Then, when they were ready to attack the enemy, they would ignite this inflammable material so that it would burst into flame, and they would then hurl the darts in the direction of the enemy. If one of these darts should happen to penetrate, it would burst into flame yet more, and burn some portion of the enemy's body and so render him inactive. In this manner they prepared the way for the mass attack of the troops upon the enemy opposed to them.  Soldiers used to throw these darts at the enemy in great profusion from all conceivable directions so as to cause confusion. And having prepared the way in that manner the troops would then advance. This was the ancient way of doing what in modern warfare is known as the preliminary barrage of the guns to prepare for the advance of the infantry.

Both Origen and Jerome are correct in their interpretation of the arrows to be the devil's interjection of evil thoughts into the minds of believers, but there is no reason to limit the metaphor to this one form of attack. In addition to what has just been said, the list could include persecution from political authorities, thoughts of accusation of sin that bring intense feelings of guilt, false teaching by those who claim to be Christians, direct demonic attack through sickness and dreams, and temptations to engage in behaviors displeasing to God (e.g., spontaneous "thoughts of doubt and disobedience, rebellion, lust, malice or fear"). There can be no doubt that Paul's expression conveys "the sense of extreme danger."

The schemes, temptations, lies, deceptions, and attacks aimed at (us) God's people to get us to "shift our trust" to something or someone other than God. (i.e. blasphemous thoughts, hateful thoughts, doubts, burning desire to sin, questioning other's motives, waves of discouragement or depression) – often rooted in lies about God's identity or our new identity in Christ. 
The fiery darts of the adversary are the schemes, temptations, lies, and attacks aimed at God's people. Their goal is to get us to shift our focus from God onto something or someone else. If the enemy can get us to be afraid, feel guilty or condemned, get discouraged, or lose hope, he can move our dependence away from God and onto something much less worthy.

There are times when in order to "stand firm"  we must face the enemy in actual combat.

Satan gets active against us at come times. 

• When we're taking significant steps of faith for spiritual growth. 

• When we're invading enemy territory (i.e. evangelism). 

• When we're exposing him for who he really is. 

• When we repent and make a "clean break" with the world, a long-held sin pattern, or an unholy relationship. 

• When God is preparing us (individually and/or corporately) for a "great work" for His glory.

The 'wicked one' is the devil, and he commands and controls a diversity of powers and agents. Never was it more important that we should realize that we are involved in a tremendous spiritual warfare. We believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three Persons in one godhead. God is Personal. God is not a force o a power. But neither are the forces against us only, a force or a power, but personal agencies, personal intelligences.

The Apostle is telling us that we must be prepared for what we may describe as Satanic attacks and assaults which at times can be unusually fierce and fiery.

The fiery darts penetrate us.

Depression.

Distress. 

Demonic opposition.  2 Timothy 4: 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Dangers.  1 Peter 4:12  'Beloved', he says, 'think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you'. It is not strange, it is the lot of God's people. It always has been, it always will be. 'Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus', says Paul to Timothy, 'shall suffer persecution' (2 Timothy 3:12). The wicked one can bring all these things suddenly to bear upon us.

Do our enemies intend to kill us? Do they propose to take everything from us? Am I going to lose my position because I am a Christian? Or you will be troubled about your wife and family, you will be troubled about your church, about the whole cause of Christ.  I was in the lunge room of Donald Mackay's sister in law when news came from her sister of Donald's murder by the Mafia back in 1977.  We were preparing for a beach mission.

Many good Christian people endured grievous trials during the Hitler regime in Germany: and there are Christian people enduring this kind of fiery trial at the present time.

Desires.  The devil has often plagued some of the noblest saints with blasphemous thoughts—blasphemous thoughts about God, blasphemous thoughts about the Lord Jesus Christ. He hurls his fiery darts at us in the realm of the imagination. He does the same in the realm of the desires and the passions and the lusts—inflaming, inciting, rousing them with tremendous heat.

Discomforts.   Job 1-3.  It is at times that the devil can afflict is physically.   Last night I had a time of enormous pain again.  Why?

The Question — Once you're wearing your spiritual armor and yet you feel yourself bombarded by spiritual opposition, How Do You Engage and Win Battles?

How to Engage the Enemy and Win: 

We must take and use the shield of faith. It is the only thing that can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. As these things are hurled at you, you do not hold forward your breast and allow them to strike the breastplate of righteousness. What you must do is to take your shield and hold it up, so that they may hit against that portion of the shield which is specifically meant to deal with them as they burst against it, and so do you no harm.

The Apostle Peter expresses the same idea in the words, 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith' (1 Peter 5:8 and 9). Faith alone enables you to meet these particular attacks. John says exactly the same thing: 'This is the victory that overcometh the world; even our faith' (1 John 5:4). Faith is always the shield that you have to hold up to quench these fiery darts of the wicked one. 

1.)      "Taking up the shield of Faith

This ability to quench arrows that have the potential not only to pierce but also to start a destructive fire is what faith does for us. Faith in this context means absolute confidence in God, his promises, his power, and his program for our lives. It is rooted in the objective reality of the gospel and our new standing with God—the saving faith that justifies us—but it is more specific here. This kind of faith refers to our present trust in Jesus for victory over sin and demonic hosts.1 Its purpose is to quench all the fiery missiles hurled at us by the enemy. Claiming God's promises by faith, trusting in his unchanging character, and holding up his truth will deflect and extinguish all the enemy's lies. Regardless of the form which these incoming flames take, faith overcomes.

This ability to quench arrows that have the potential not only to pierce but also to start a destructive fire is what faith does for us. Faith in this context means absolute confidence in God, his promises, his power, and his program for our lives. It is rooted in the objective reality of the gospel and our new standing with God—the saving faith that justifies us—but it is more specific here. This kind of faith refers to our present trust in Jesus for victory over sin and demonic hosts.1 Its purpose is to quench all the fiery missiles hurled at us by the enemy. Claiming God's promises by faith, trusting in his unchanging character, and holding up his truth will deflect and extinguish all the enemy's lies. Regardless of the form which these incoming flames take, faith overcomes.

The fiery darts of the adversary are the schemes, temptations, lies, and attacks aimed at God's people. Their goal is to get us to shift our focus from God onto something or someone else. If the enemy can get us to be afraid, feel guilty or condemned, get discouraged, or lose hope, he can move our dependence away from God and onto something much less worthy."

•  Definition = Faith in this context is our "absolute confidence" in God, His promises, His power, and His programfor our lives. Although rooted in the objective reality of the Gospel and our new standing with God (justification) through Christ (saving faith), this faith refers to our "present faith in the Lord Jesus for victory over sin and the host of demonic forces." — Weust 

Darts of doubt and deception must be immediately met by the shield of faith. (i.e. your active, present, application of truth to your personal situation as soon as you recognize a dart has been received). How?       

Faith never points to itself, it always points to its object. That is absolutely crucial. The cults produce people who have faith in faith. But if you put your faith in faith you are eventually undone. There are people who try to work up faith, the quality of faith, in themselves; but they will never succeed.

Faith always points to God, to the character of God. He is One on whom we can rely. Faith points to His promises—and the Bible is full of them. Get to know them, and then you will be able to hold up the shield of faith. The moment the enemy comes, and the darts are flying round you, you will be able to hold up a statement of the Scripture, a promise of God, knowing that He is always true and faithful to His promises.

Abraham was on the point of shaking when God reminded him of the shield of faith by saying to him, 'Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward' (Genesis 15:1). 'I am thy shield!' God is our shield, and His power is endless and eternal. 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble', says Psalm 46. And the book of Proverbs adds, 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe'. That is the shield—the Name of the Lord, the power of God! David delights to tell us in Psalm 84, 'The Lord God is a sun and shield'.

1.) TRUST IN GOD'S PRESENCE AND POWER character and the fact that he always has our best in mind. Psalm 84:11, for example, says, "The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Romans 8:32 says the same thing in a different way: "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things."

Who would be the bigger loser if God just gave up on you? If you are truly a believer in the Lord Jesus, truly a child of God, He will never fail you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy,

Hebrews 13. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake!"

2.) TRUST IN GOD'S PROMISES and HIS Word – He will accomplish what concerns me.  
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

3.) TRUST IN GOD'S  PROVIDENCE and Timing – His ways are not always easiest, but are always best. 

When you are in the heat of the battle, and when the fiery darts are coming from every direction, remind yourself then that because He came into this world, because the Incarnation is true, because He suffered, fighting against sin even unto blood, because He has been tempted like as we are, He is fully able to sympathize with us when we are tempted. 'We have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' You are not left to yourself; He is with you and He 'is able to succour you'. You are 'in Him', and He is watching over you and caring for you! He has given proof of His love by what He has done, He is continuing that proof by what He is still doing.

How did Paul counter these Demonic Darts:

Depression.  2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Distress.  2 Corinthians 4:7-16

Demonic opposition.    2Timothy 4:10-18

Dangers. Acts 19:11-20

Desires.   1 Corinthians 10:12,13

Discomforts.  2 Corinthians 12:1-11 (note, the thorn in the flesh is possibly a professing "Christian").

TIM KELLER writes:

PSALM 56:1–7. 1 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. 2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 5 All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin. 6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life. 7 Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.

WHAT CAN MORTALS DO TO ME? Fearfulness and faith in God can coexist in us even as trust slowly wins out. Faith is not a vague sense that "God will work it out." It comes from prayerful immersion in the Scripture, the Word of God (verses 3–4). Jesus answers David's question "What can mere mortals do to me?" in Matthew 10:28. We should not fear those who can kill our bodies, because if we are safe in Jesus, who has already taken our sentence of death, then our real, eternal lives are safe. David still prays to be delivered from his attackers, and we can and should cry out to God for deliverance, whether from wicked people or stubborn diseases, but in the end we are safe in Jesus.

Psalm 56:8–13. 8 Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll— are they not in your record? 9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise— 11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

IF GOD IS FOR ME. David asks, "What can man do?" again (verse 11), but only after saying that he knows God is for him (verse 9). God has such detailed, tender care for us that he keeps a record of every tear (verse 8). How can we be sure of this? Paul asks the same question—"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)—and grounds his confidence in the work of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37–39). Christians overcome their fears by looking not only at the written Word, the Bible, but also at the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Through his sovereign and creative power, God is able to give us his saving Word, human and divine, written and writhing on the cross.

Psalm 57:1–6. 1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 4 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. 6 They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.

IN THE LIONS' DEN. David is surrounded by danger, as if standing in the midst of roaring beasts (verse 4). He cries for help (verses 1–2) but suddenly simply praises God, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth" (verse 5). Deeper than disaster, danger, and distress is the desire for God to be glorified. If that can be accomplished by saving us from our circumstances, then praise God! If it is better accomplished by our circumstances remaining unchanged while we continue to show our confidence in God before the watching world, praise God as well. Either way, God fulfills his purpose for you as you delight to honor him.

Psalm 57:7–11. 7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

SONGS IN THE NIGHT. How do we handle times of great danger, when we are surrounded by predatory forces (see verses 1–4)? David continues to sing praise to God's glory, right in the deep darkness, with a fierce, joyful buoyancy (verses 7–8). He sees God's greatness in the skies and heavens (verses 9–11).

There's light and high beauty forever beyond the reach of any evil shadows in this world. This is not mere stoic defiance ("I won't let it get me down") but theological hope. The universe is an endless ocean of God's joy and glory. We are caught temporarily in a little drop of sadness here on earth. But eventually it will be removed. Regardless of what happens immediately to believers, eventually it will be all right.