The Full Armor of God – Week 5 Part 2
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Concluding Thoughts on Chapter 5 – The Shield of Faith
Remember we talked about the size of a shield, and how it was similar to that of a door? And, remember we talked about the formation of soldiers as they held their shields both in front of them, and above their heads? What we see here is a metaphor in which a believer is fully enveloped in faith.
Satan can attack anytime, and he will attack anywhere. He may aim for your heart one day and your head the next. When he attacks your faith, you can bet that he’ll be twisting the scriptures. He’ll use any argument that he can to deceive, which is why we must be convinced of the hope that we have.
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (KJV)
We talked about dissatisfaction earlier in this chapter, and how Satan will use it. Satisfaction comes from the root word “satisfy,” which means to fulfill or come to completion. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy us the way that Jesus will. It might occupy us for a season, but we all know full well that nothing lasts. Everything rots, everything breaks down, and everything turns to dust, and so we’re always left wanting more.
Satan will tempt us with every shiny bobble, and every beautiful face he can find, but when our hope and satisfaction is in Christ alone, we’re able to stand against these temptations as we stand firm in our faith.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV)
He’ll tell us we’re not good enough, by comparing us to others. He makes us feel useless, depressed, and condemned by showing us our failures. But when we turn our eyes on Christ the perfecter and finisher of our faith we’re able to quench each one of those darts by the love that’s poured into our hearts.
Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5, NIV)
Answer Key for Chapter 5
Q. What are the fiery darts spoken of in Ephesians Chapter 6?
A. They are lust. The less we are satisfied, the more we’ll be tempted. And so, we lust after power, money, attention, love, food, sex, beauty, and more. Satan knows that dissatisfaction is the Achilles’ heel of mankind. He knows that we hunger for more and so we’re met with temptation day after day.
Q. How are the shields made fire-proof?
A. They were immersed in water.
Q. From where does faith originate?
A. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Q. Why is dissatisfaction so dangerous to a believer?
A. Because the less satisfied we are, the more we’ll be tempted. Satan knows that dissatisfaction is the Achilles’ heel of mankind. He knows that we hunger for more and so we’re met with temptation day after day.
Q. What are the faith-building blocks we glean from God’s word?
A. Joy, peace, love, and hope.
Q. What has cleansing power?
A. God’s Word.
Fill in the blanks:
No ______________________ that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their ___________________ is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17, KJV)
A. weapon, righteousness
Be __________________ and _______________________. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)
A. strong, courageous
But you, Lord, are ________________________ around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3, NIV)
A. a shield
Q. What are some of the lies that Satan has been firing at you? Under each one, mark down a fire-quenching truth.
A. This answer is personal and would be different for everyone.
Free Printables
I have two free printables for you this week. The first one is from 1 Corinthians 16:13. The second printable is from Psalm 3:3. Click the links below to view and print your copies.
