The Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16(NKJV)

16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

God has given us all sorts of tools to use in our efforts to serve Him.  One of those tools is the Shield of Faith.  What I'd like to talk about today is how to use that tool.  Because as with any tool, it's generally only effective if used in the proper way.  So what is the proper way to use the Shield of Faith?

I'd like to draw on an illustration from my childhood.  When I was growing up we liked to play things like Army, Cowboys and Indians, and Knights of the Roundtable.  When we were knights we had swords and shields.  The swords were made out of sticks or wood and the shields were usually round trash can lids.  Anybody else ever do that?

For those of you that did, here is what I want you to think about.  When you were using the shield, how did you use it?  Did you cower behind your shield meekly, hoping you would survive, or did your shield give you a sense of confidence, power, and invincibility?

For me it made me feel confident and invincible.  I didn't cower behind my shield in fear.  No, I had it out in front of my body, using it to ward off blows from swords and arrows, as I confidently kept my eye on the goal and advanced towards it.

So my question for you is, are you using this tool, the Shield of Faith,  that God has given you correctly?  Are you hiding behind your shield saying things like "Oh God I hope you'll help me.  I just don't know what I'm going to do, etc….."? 

Or are you out there saying things like "Thank you Jesus for the vision you've given me.  I'm on it.  I'm moving confidently towards the dream you've given me.  You've promised me that you have a grand plan for my life, that it's been customized just for me, and that you have already given me the power to achieve any dream you've given me.  I CAN NOT BE DENIED!  This is the Shield of Faith that you've given me.  Thank you Jesus!!!!!"

So if you already know Jesus then go forth today using your Shield of Faith the way it was intended to be used?  If you don't know Jesus yet then maybe today is the day for you to make His acquaintance.  Wouldn't it be nice to have tools like this to  help turn your life into what it was meant to be?  If you answered yes to that questions then just say a simple prayer asking Jesus to take control and of your life.  Then you too can go forward with the Shield of Faith!