Ephesians 6:17b
…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
English history tells the story of a young knight who would become the British leader of the late fifth and early sixth century. That leader would be known in history as King Arthur. Although much of the life of the brave knight who became king is composed of folklore, due in part to the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth, there is little doubt that he did in fact exist. Perhaps the greatest debate then is the method in which he obtained his sword, Excalibur.
There are two stories that continue to circulate, but the commonality to each is the sword’s magical powers. The first tale explains that Excalibur was the Sword in the Stone. In this account, the pulling of the sword from the stone was a feat that only a “true king” could perform. With his future rule as king granted because of his ability to lift the sword from its stone, he also won the rights to the sword itself. However, there is a second tale. It is in this folklore that the Lady of the Lake extended her hand from the waters to give Arthur his destiny, the enchanted sword named Excalibur. In both tales, the power of the sword is defined, for it is able to cut through iron as though it were wood and bring healing to its owner if he be injured in the fight.
While we may never know the truth of the sword that tall tales confuse for us, we do possess our own enchanted sword. The powers that cover our sword are not fabled uprisings or extensions from the waters, though, but rather a power that comes only from God Himself. We have the Word of God. This lamp unto our feet (Ps 119:105) is sharper than any double-edged sword. It is said that it can penetrate so precise, even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. And it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. It is this sword that we must take up daily as part of our armor (Eph 6:17). For how able to defeat the opponent is the knight who has no sword?
For us to understand the sword of the spirit, we must first take a moment to understand just what a double-edged sword is. To me, this can be defined as a sword both of rhema and logos. Let me explain. The Greek word ‘RHEMA’ is defined as the quickening of a word. We would relate this mostly to the speaking of a word. The term ‘LOGOS’, while also related to words, is defined more specifically as the written word.
When I was dating my wife, we would spend countless hours communicating in one fashion or another. Since we did not live in the same state, there would be nights of long phone calls, as well as days of long emails and text messages. In both cases we were sharing our words, be it spoken or written. But, on those weekend occasions when we would see each other face to face, the words spoken and written took on a deeper meaning. And no other time when these two forms combined is more memorable, or powerful, than on our wedding day, when speaking from vows we wrote, we confessed our love to each other.
This is how the double-edged sword works. It is the combination of the written Word of God and us speaking His Word. There is power that comes from reading His Word, for His Word will change us on the inside. And there is power that comes from speaking the Word, for it will change our surroundings. But oh the power that comes when the spoken and written collide, for then it becomes our double-edged sword, and no power in hell can stand then.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is quick and powerful. In the Greek these words are ZAO and ENERGES. Zao translates as lively, whereas energes translates as powerfully operative. What the author of Hebrews is saying here is that God’s Word is life and energy. This marriage of God’s breath matched with God’s power leaves nothing undone. The verse continues on saying that it penetrates to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and thoughts and attitudes.
To look more intently as these descriptions we find the Word of God is sharper still than a double-edged sword. This term ‘sharper’ is the Greek word TOMOTEROS, alluding to the fact that it makes its mark in a single strike. While other swords may do damage in hacking, or with a sawing action, God’s Word does complete damage in one swipe. And furthermore it divides and cuts into separate areas. This is the word MERISMOS. What a skilled surgeon cannot flawlessly do, God’s Word does. What a courtroom judge cannot truly decipher, God’s Word can. How is it then that we fail to bring this sword into battle with us?
Lest we should underestimate the power of the sword, let us look at the following verses where the sword proved its power:
1) Matthew 9:6b “So he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.’”
2) Mark 5:41 “He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’)”
3) Matthew 8:3 “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
4) Matthew 8:32 “He said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.”
In all these verses, and so many more, we see the power in the sword
as in one swipe, sometimes even in one word, the enemy is defeated. In one swipe restoration of life is found, healing is given, and the demons are cast out. And lest we should think, ‘Well that was Jesus,’ do not forget what He promised us all in John 14:12. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
The Word of God, our sword, is so much better than we know. The problem is that too many use it wrong. There are those who think of it as a Swiss Army Knife, only bringing it out when they are bored and want to whittle on something. Then there are those who use it as a spreader, buttering their bread with the fattening cream of the word but never wanting to cut into the meat. The flip side to this is others use it as a meat cleaver, and skip around looking for a meatier church where the Gospel depth is preached, but no foundation is laid. There must be a balance, and the balance must be as defined by God. It is He who has given us the sword, and He who knows how to use it. We should seek Him in this.
For a true believer will use the Word of God as the sword it was intended to be used as. This person will constantly speak the Word of God to the situation and expect results. This person will speak what God has spoken. This person will use the sword to cut in line in the most pressed of circumstances, and watch the soul split from spirit, the joint separate from marrow, and thoughts divide from attitudes.
Lastly, while the sword may show itself needed for battle, it also shows itself needed as the medicine and healing agent for the wounded. It is to be hidden in our hearts so that we may not sin against God (Ps 119:11). It is to be obeyed so that the enemy does not have grounds to produce worse actions in our life (Jn 5:14). And it is God-breathed and useful for our teaching, rebuke, correction, and training (II Tim 3:16). This sword, the Holy Bible, inspired by men who followed hard after God, holds the key to eternal life and the power over eternal death.
You have been given this sword, this Excalibur, from God Himself. What are you doing with it? Is it sitting on the shelf collecting dust? Is it being used to ward off the enemy? It is the mysterious lamp unto your path, or the weapon that you’ve tossed to the side because you feel it doesn’t work right? Are you nurtured by this sword, or too afraid to consume it because it will change your life? God is no Lady of the Lake, but He has given you the power you need for every obstacle you will meet. He is handing you His sword now. Take it, and rise up as the warrior He is calling you to.
https://www.onthevanguard.com/
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
THE HELMET OF SALVATION
Ephesians 6:17a
Take the helmet of salvation…
Helmets are a common sight these days. Depending on what state we live in, we can see them on motorcycle operators or youngsters out riding their bicycles. We see them used in sports such as Nascar, hockey, football, and baseball. We even see them used in our military, as the pilots of top speed aircraft rush distances in no time. But why do we see them more so these days? If you think about it, back in the day, helmets were not a big deal.
It wasn’t until 1967 that Tennessee made it law to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Football Hall-of-Famer Bill Hewitt played his whole career without ever wearing a helmet. Ralph Earnhardt, father of legendary Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., can be seen in countless photos never having helmet head only because he never wore a helmet. So again, why are they such a big deal now?
As I was thinking on this myself, I found myself coming to grips with the fact that sports, as well as life in general, have just gotten rougher. Nascar tops out at speeds over 200 mph and one false move without a helmet could result in death. That’s a far cry from the 60 mph that Ralph Earnhardt used to push. Even the common motorcycle nowadays goes faster. The use of a helmet for an aviator pilot can make a difference too in the quick second thrust of an escape hatch. Bumping your helmet on the glass may be less damaging than bumping your unprotected head. The signs all point in the same direction – wearing a helmet can save your life.
So maybe that answers the question of why a helmet is so important. Wearing a helmet can save your life. And while that looks to be the case physically, is it possible that it is the case spiritually also? I would venture to say yes. As we will see, the enemy will try in many ways to invade our mind and damage our face, but in wearing the helmet of salvation we find a greater protection than the one with no head covering at all.
Let us start our study by defining the word ‘salvation.’ ‘Salvation’ in Ephesians 6:17 is the word SOTERION, meaning literally salvation, but also defense. The root is SOTER meaning deliverer or savior. In essence, Paul is expressing to us the need to put on, or receive, the helmet of our defensive savior. This doesn’t look much like anything special until we fully understand, however, the benefits of this head gear.
Made of polished metal and brass detailing, the Roman guard’s helmet was complete with a rim around the forehead and flaps protecting the soldier’s ears and cheeks. In the back was an additional segment of metal protecting the soldier’s neck area. These pieces of forged metal served as protection for the blows that were sent to the top of the head, the back of the neck, the face and nose regions, and the jaw bones.
Looking specifically at these areas, we start with the bowl of protection over the head itself. Working underneath the bone plate of our skull is the brain, or the mind. The mind includes the intellect, the emotions, and the will. Without the working of these areas, we can be certain that we are not in our right mind. And so, the helmet protects our head from the bombarding of fear, depression, oppression, trust issues, and false doctrines that the enemy sends our way. The enemy wants to mentally detain us, pushing us into going crazy as a result of his attack. But the helmet is our protection. Romans 12:2 instructs us to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. We stay renewed by keeping the helmet on our head, for as Philippians 4:8 says, we are to meditate on the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
The second benefit of the helmet was the protection it offered the neck. In Joshua 10:24 we read the account of Joshua ordering the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to the ground, and Joshua’s soldiers placing their feet on the necks of these evil kings. This standing on the neck represented the overcoming power of Joshua’s army, but on a grander scale the overcoming power of God Himself. We see this truth in Jeremiah 30:8 where we read, “’In that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.’” It is not God’s plan that we become the enslaved, but that we have victory over the one who is working to enslave us. As such, He gives us the helmet of salvation. Yes it protects our minds, but it also protects our necks from the binds that enemy wishes to place on us. Again, the root word means deliverer or savior. With Jesus as our Savior, and His salvation covering our necks, there is no reason why we should be in bondage.
The Roman helmet held within it the ability to confuse the enemy. How, you may ask. The answer is in the third piece of the helmet, known as the crown guard. This was the protrusion that extended out like a visor. Just as the guard used oil to prepare his shield, so also he used oil to prepare his helmet. Anointing the helmet prior to battle would allow the sun to reflect off the metal, therefore blinding and confusing the enemy in the heat of battle. But for the Roman Centurion, the crown guard worked as a visor to keep the sun out of his own eyes. The oil on the helmet, though, also allowed the head covering to become slippery. When the enemy’s blow came down on the helmet, the oil aided in deflecting the blow, and the crown guard deflecting damage to the soldier’s face and nose. The oil also assisted in keeping the soldier’s gear from corrosion, just as keeping the oil of the Holy Spirit on our minds keeps our minds from corrosion. When we live bathed in the anointing of the Spirit, the enemy cannot touch us.
Lastly, the helmet included facial protection, cheek protectors, which were attached to the helmet and fell over the cheeks and jaw much like a metal mutton chop. But why would the helmet include these stationary flaps? Physically, if the soldier’s face or jaw was damaged it would affect the solider. Seeing physical deformities in the mirror could play games on the soldier’s mind. But having physical damage to his jaw could also play games, as suddenly he would be unable to eat solid food. Much like in the physical, we see this same thing happening in the spiritual. When we look spiritually in the mirror, it is sometimes the disgust of how we look that only spirals us downward into despair. But the same is true of damage to our jaw. If we suffer from a broken jaw we cannot ‘eat’ spiritual food. Just the same, we cannot speak the declarations and promises of God with a broken jaw. Therefore, the helmet of salvation, or defense, is wore to prevent us from becoming a spiritual mute and malnourished, or spiraling into the depths of despair. Remember, as Romans 10:10 says, it is with the heart we believe and with the mouth we confess.
Ephesians 6:17a is blunt and to the point for us all. “Take the helmet of salvation…” Leaving this piece behind when it is time for warfare is detrimental to our safety, for with no helmet we leave both our mind and mouth open to the enemy’s attack. How can we fix our minds of Christ with our mind being tampered with? How can we speak the declaration of God’s Word without a voice to speak with? It is time we put on, and strap tight, the helmet that God has given us as our mind’s and mouth’s defense against the attack of the enemy. Maybe it isn’t so much a suggestion as it is a command to the saints. TAKE THE HELMET!
Take the helmet of salvation…
Helmets are a common sight these days. Depending on what state we live in, we can see them on motorcycle operators or youngsters out riding their bicycles. We see them used in sports such as Nascar, hockey, football, and baseball. We even see them used in our military, as the pilots of top speed aircraft rush distances in no time. But why do we see them more so these days? If you think about it, back in the day, helmets were not a big deal.
It wasn’t until 1967 that Tennessee made it law to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Football Hall-of-Famer Bill Hewitt played his whole career without ever wearing a helmet. Ralph Earnhardt, father of legendary Nascar driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., can be seen in countless photos never having helmet head only because he never wore a helmet. So again, why are they such a big deal now?
As I was thinking on this myself, I found myself coming to grips with the fact that sports, as well as life in general, have just gotten rougher. Nascar tops out at speeds over 200 mph and one false move without a helmet could result in death. That’s a far cry from the 60 mph that Ralph Earnhardt used to push. Even the common motorcycle nowadays goes faster. The use of a helmet for an aviator pilot can make a difference too in the quick second thrust of an escape hatch. Bumping your helmet on the glass may be less damaging than bumping your unprotected head. The signs all point in the same direction – wearing a helmet can save your life.
So maybe that answers the question of why a helmet is so important. Wearing a helmet can save your life. And while that looks to be the case physically, is it possible that it is the case spiritually also? I would venture to say yes. As we will see, the enemy will try in many ways to invade our mind and damage our face, but in wearing the helmet of salvation we find a greater protection than the one with no head covering at all.
Let us start our study by defining the word ‘salvation.’ ‘Salvation’ in Ephesians 6:17 is the word SOTERION, meaning literally salvation, but also defense. The root is SOTER meaning deliverer or savior. In essence, Paul is expressing to us the need to put on, or receive, the helmet of our defensive savior. This doesn’t look much like anything special until we fully understand, however, the benefits of this head gear.
Made of polished metal and brass detailing, the Roman guard’s helmet was complete with a rim around the forehead and flaps protecting the soldier’s ears and cheeks. In the back was an additional segment of metal protecting the soldier’s neck area. These pieces of forged metal served as protection for the blows that were sent to the top of the head, the back of the neck, the face and nose regions, and the jaw bones.
Looking specifically at these areas, we start with the bowl of protection over the head itself. Working underneath the bone plate of our skull is the brain, or the mind. The mind includes the intellect, the emotions, and the will. Without the working of these areas, we can be certain that we are not in our right mind. And so, the helmet protects our head from the bombarding of fear, depression, oppression, trust issues, and false doctrines that the enemy sends our way. The enemy wants to mentally detain us, pushing us into going crazy as a result of his attack. But the helmet is our protection. Romans 12:2 instructs us to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. We stay renewed by keeping the helmet on our head, for as Philippians 4:8 says, we are to meditate on the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
The second benefit of the helmet was the protection it offered the neck. In Joshua 10:24 we read the account of Joshua ordering the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to the ground, and Joshua’s soldiers placing their feet on the necks of these evil kings. This standing on the neck represented the overcoming power of Joshua’s army, but on a grander scale the overcoming power of God Himself. We see this truth in Jeremiah 30:8 where we read, “’In that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.’” It is not God’s plan that we become the enslaved, but that we have victory over the one who is working to enslave us. As such, He gives us the helmet of salvation. Yes it protects our minds, but it also protects our necks from the binds that enemy wishes to place on us. Again, the root word means deliverer or savior. With Jesus as our Savior, and His salvation covering our necks, there is no reason why we should be in bondage.
The Roman helmet held within it the ability to confuse the enemy. How, you may ask. The answer is in the third piece of the helmet, known as the crown guard. This was the protrusion that extended out like a visor. Just as the guard used oil to prepare his shield, so also he used oil to prepare his helmet. Anointing the helmet prior to battle would allow the sun to reflect off the metal, therefore blinding and confusing the enemy in the heat of battle. But for the Roman Centurion, the crown guard worked as a visor to keep the sun out of his own eyes. The oil on the helmet, though, also allowed the head covering to become slippery. When the enemy’s blow came down on the helmet, the oil aided in deflecting the blow, and the crown guard deflecting damage to the soldier’s face and nose. The oil also assisted in keeping the soldier’s gear from corrosion, just as keeping the oil of the Holy Spirit on our minds keeps our minds from corrosion. When we live bathed in the anointing of the Spirit, the enemy cannot touch us.
Lastly, the helmet included facial protection, cheek protectors, which were attached to the helmet and fell over the cheeks and jaw much like a metal mutton chop. But why would the helmet include these stationary flaps? Physically, if the soldier’s face or jaw was damaged it would affect the solider. Seeing physical deformities in the mirror could play games on the soldier’s mind. But having physical damage to his jaw could also play games, as suddenly he would be unable to eat solid food. Much like in the physical, we see this same thing happening in the spiritual. When we look spiritually in the mirror, it is sometimes the disgust of how we look that only spirals us downward into despair. But the same is true of damage to our jaw. If we suffer from a broken jaw we cannot ‘eat’ spiritual food. Just the same, we cannot speak the declarations and promises of God with a broken jaw. Therefore, the helmet of salvation, or defense, is wore to prevent us from becoming a spiritual mute and malnourished, or spiraling into the depths of despair. Remember, as Romans 10:10 says, it is with the heart we believe and with the mouth we confess.
Ephesians 6:17a is blunt and to the point for us all. “Take the helmet of salvation…” Leaving this piece behind when it is time for warfare is detrimental to our safety, for with no helmet we leave both our mind and mouth open to the enemy’s attack. How can we fix our minds of Christ with our mind being tampered with? How can we speak the declaration of God’s Word without a voice to speak with? It is time we put on, and strap tight, the helmet that God has given us as our mind’s and mouth’s defense against the attack of the enemy. Maybe it isn’t so much a suggestion as it is a command to the saints. TAKE THE HELMET!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Since my younger years, I have always had a problem. I have tried many times to hide it, but somehow it always comes forth. It isn’t a major issue, but it does carry the potential to cause destruction. It seems to be more pronounced during the summer and winter seasons, but spikes of it can be seen working their way out in both the spring and fall as well. What exactly is my problem, you ask. Well, simply put, I am a pyromaniac. Yes it is true, I like fire. I like burning things, which is one reason why I was so quick to build a fire pit in my back yard when we moved. While I did have reason to burn the moving boxes and such, the bigger reason was so that I could play with fire.
As a kid I poured gasoline on Hotwheels and struck matches, watching the rubber tires produce their black smoke. This is a trait I later got in trouble for when I taught it to my younger brother. And if that wasn’t enough, I helped my best friend set his club house on fire as I drenched the wood with lighter fluid and dropped the match. In college I doused my hand with hairspray and lit it on fire just to make a sermon illustration come alive. And in past 4th of July celebrations I have gone a little crazy with the ways in which I have lit my crackers on fire.
While I may be a little overboard in my love for setting things on fire, I do also have a hatred for fire. You see, fire is hot, and, well simply put, I sweat easy. Getting too close to the flames at times can even get a little too hot for me. But more importantly, as I am now a dad and have bigger responsibilities, I hate seeing my children play with fire. Even though I know the limits of fire, they do not. Their judgment scares me and I have to play the mean dad role in protecting them from the flames by telling them to step back, or not to throw things into the fire.
I think the same is true of God in that there are times in our life when God has to tell us to step back away from the heat and flames. But God goes one step further in His ways of protection in that He gives us a shield. Knowing that our enemy has our demise in mind, God has given us the shield of faith with which we can block and extinguish the flaming arrows of our enemy. But what do we really know about this shield? And furthermore, do we know how it works?
Depending on what translation you read, Ephesians 6:16 may start out as ‘In addition,’ or ‘Above all’. In the Greek the term is EPI PAS, meaning before, but fully included within. Before we are finished dressing in the armor, there is still an important piece that needs to be included. What is that piece? It is none other than the shield of faith. This piece is extremely vital.
In the Roman dress there were two different shields used. The first shield was a round, metal shield no larger than the size of a large pizza. This shield was great for some close combat, but was mainly used for decoration, boasting on it the awards and honors given to the soldier.
The second shield was known as the scutum, and was the main shield Paul was referring to in his description of the armor. The scutum was built with two layers of wood strips, worked in 90 degree angles, heated and pressed like modern day plywood. The shield was then covered with at least six layers of animal hide on the front, and given a handle on the back. Its pattern was set based on the shell of a turtle, and in times of combat would be joined with the shields of other soldiers to form a shell of protection for the army. Despite the number of arrows that were cast into the sky, the shell of shields offered protection as the army forced its way forward.
However, there was an anointing that also was placed over the shield. If the shield was to be drafted of only wood and hide, it would be easy to overcome with the use of a flaming arrow. How easy would it be for the fire to work its way through dried skins and splintered wood? Bearing this fact, the soldier learned the importance of oil and as a result would carry with him a horn or small container of oil which he would use to rub into the skins to keep them from drying out.
In this verse we read of the shield of faith we are to carry, but we also read of the arrows of the wicked one that we are to quench. Let us spend a minute or so looking at these arrows.
History shows us that there were three different types of arrows used in combat at this time. The first was a tipped arrow. These arrows are reminiscent of the arrows used by the Native Americans. The purpose of these sharpened rocky points was to simply maim and kill, depending on where the arrow actually penetrated. Likening this arrow to Scripture, we can see how 1 Corinthians 10:13 makes a match. The verse reminds us that no temptation has seized us except what is common to man. In these times of temptation, though, God makes a way out for us. These arrows represent for us then those moments of temptation, be it a temptation toward lust, depression, telling a lie, or what have you. As is the enemy’s way, he works to maim and kill us with the arrow of temptation. When we give in to temptation, whatever it is, we are injured. Therefore, we must hold up the shield of faith.
The second arrow was the flaming arrow. In watching many Medieval movies, it is common to see a sequence of the battle where the night sky illuminates with a hosts of fiery specks before landing and causing a miniature forest fire. And this thought is exactly how it would have looked during Rome’s reign as well. These arrows, dipped in a tar-like substance, were ignited before being launched in the air and released to cause damage. This again shows reason for the shield to not be dried up. But these arrows also represent a spiritual factor. The enemy aims at us his arrow of uncleanness, whether in our thought life, our dreams at night, or our everyday occurrences. If we fail to hold up the shield of faith to these arrows, we again become victim.
The third type of arrow was the combustible arrow. This arrow was filled with a highly flammable liquid that, when smacked with pressure against its target, would explode and send fiery flames in all directions. These arrows were the most dangerous for the solider just as they are the most dangerous for you and me. One way this arrow could be represented is in the impact of a bad situation, decision, or path. Consider one who tells a lie, then another, and then has to continue to cover his lies with more lies. The end result of this explosion is a greater mess than perhaps taking the blame for the first lie, and certainly greater than simply telling the truth. So it is again that to block these arrows we must raise the shield of faith.
How do we know, however, if the arrow is quenched? In a practical sense it would be easy to tell. As long as my shield is not on fire and my arrow is not smoking I can assume it is quenched. But how can we do this in the spiritual realms? If a negative thought comes at me and I begin to ponder revenge or destruction against someone, I can assume I have been hit with the arrow. The right thing at that moment would be to lay down that thought and bless the person instead. But if hours later I am still meditating on revenge, I have then allowed the fiery dart to continue to burn. This can be seen easily as well in the areas of sexual desires. If I have a lustful thought come at me, I would do right to quench it by taking that thought captive. However, if I continue to play the thought over and over in my head, and then act on it at some point, I have not quenched it, but rather have let it burn. The fiery dart that burns long enough will indeed become a stronghold. It is in those times we should raise our shield by reading/quoting Scripture, listening to worship music, praying, or even by sharing our trial with another believer.
Jude 20 tells us to build ourselves in the most holy faith. May I suggest to you that this is our anointing oil. The soldier would smoother his shield with oil so that the arrows would slip off, or have to work harder to stick. So we, smothering our shields with the Word of God places a coating on them that will leave the enemy’s arrow sliding off. The greased shield is a strong weapon. So then, let us pray in the Spirit (1 Cor 14:15,18) and build up our faith in who God is, and who we are in Him.
Faith, PISTIS in the Greek, is the inward confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance on what God has placed in our hearts. If we don’t know this confidence, then now is a good time to start getting in His Word and seeing what He has to say so that we can be built up. As we are reminded in 2 Samuel 22:31, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried; he is a buckler [shield] to all them that trust in him.” (KJV).
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Since my younger years, I have always had a problem. I have tried many times to hide it, but somehow it always comes forth. It isn’t a major issue, but it does carry the potential to cause destruction. It seems to be more pronounced during the summer and winter seasons, but spikes of it can be seen working their way out in both the spring and fall as well. What exactly is my problem, you ask. Well, simply put, I am a pyromaniac. Yes it is true, I like fire. I like burning things, which is one reason why I was so quick to build a fire pit in my back yard when we moved. While I did have reason to burn the moving boxes and such, the bigger reason was so that I could play with fire.
As a kid I poured gasoline on Hotwheels and struck matches, watching the rubber tires produce their black smoke. This is a trait I later got in trouble for when I taught it to my younger brother. And if that wasn’t enough, I helped my best friend set his club house on fire as I drenched the wood with lighter fluid and dropped the match. In college I doused my hand with hairspray and lit it on fire just to make a sermon illustration come alive. And in past 4th of July celebrations I have gone a little crazy with the ways in which I have lit my crackers on fire.
While I may be a little overboard in my love for setting things on fire, I do also have a hatred for fire. You see, fire is hot, and, well simply put, I sweat easy. Getting too close to the flames at times can even get a little too hot for me. But more importantly, as I am now a dad and have bigger responsibilities, I hate seeing my children play with fire. Even though I know the limits of fire, they do not. Their judgment scares me and I have to play the mean dad role in protecting them from the flames by telling them to step back, or not to throw things into the fire.
I think the same is true of God in that there are times in our life when God has to tell us to step back away from the heat and flames. But God goes one step further in His ways of protection in that He gives us a shield. Knowing that our enemy has our demise in mind, God has given us the shield of faith with which we can block and extinguish the flaming arrows of our enemy. But what do we really know about this shield? And furthermore, do we know how it works?
Depending on what translation you read, Ephesians 6:16 may start out as ‘In addition,’ or ‘Above all’. In the Greek the term is EPI PAS, meaning before, but fully included within. Before we are finished dressing in the armor, there is still an important piece that needs to be included. What is that piece? It is none other than the shield of faith. This piece is extremely vital.
In the Roman dress there were two different shields used. The first shield was a round, metal shield no larger than the size of a large pizza. This shield was great for some close combat, but was mainly used for decoration, boasting on it the awards and honors given to the soldier.
The second shield was known as the scutum, and was the main shield Paul was referring to in his description of the armor. The scutum was built with two layers of wood strips, worked in 90 degree angles, heated and pressed like modern day plywood. The shield was then covered with at least six layers of animal hide on the front, and given a handle on the back. Its pattern was set based on the shell of a turtle, and in times of combat would be joined with the shields of other soldiers to form a shell of protection for the army. Despite the number of arrows that were cast into the sky, the shell of shields offered protection as the army forced its way forward.
However, there was an anointing that also was placed over the shield. If the shield was to be drafted of only wood and hide, it would be easy to overcome with the use of a flaming arrow. How easy would it be for the fire to work its way through dried skins and splintered wood? Bearing this fact, the soldier learned the importance of oil and as a result would carry with him a horn or small container of oil which he would use to rub into the skins to keep them from drying out.
In this verse we read of the shield of faith we are to carry, but we also read of the arrows of the wicked one that we are to quench. Let us spend a minute or so looking at these arrows.
History shows us that there were three different types of arrows used in combat at this time. The first was a tipped arrow. These arrows are reminiscent of the arrows used by the Native Americans. The purpose of these sharpened rocky points was to simply maim and kill, depending on where the arrow actually penetrated. Likening this arrow to Scripture, we can see how 1 Corinthians 10:13 makes a match. The verse reminds us that no temptation has seized us except what is common to man. In these times of temptation, though, God makes a way out for us. These arrows represent for us then those moments of temptation, be it a temptation toward lust, depression, telling a lie, or what have you. As is the enemy’s way, he works to maim and kill us with the arrow of temptation. When we give in to temptation, whatever it is, we are injured. Therefore, we must hold up the shield of faith.
The second arrow was the flaming arrow. In watching many Medieval movies, it is common to see a sequence of the battle where the night sky illuminates with a hosts of fiery specks before landing and causing a miniature forest fire. And this thought is exactly how it would have looked during Rome’s reign as well. These arrows, dipped in a tar-like substance, were ignited before being launched in the air and released to cause damage. This again shows reason for the shield to not be dried up. But these arrows also represent a spiritual factor. The enemy aims at us his arrow of uncleanness, whether in our thought life, our dreams at night, or our everyday occurrences. If we fail to hold up the shield of faith to these arrows, we again become victim.
The third type of arrow was the combustible arrow. This arrow was filled with a highly flammable liquid that, when smacked with pressure against its target, would explode and send fiery flames in all directions. These arrows were the most dangerous for the solider just as they are the most dangerous for you and me. One way this arrow could be represented is in the impact of a bad situation, decision, or path. Consider one who tells a lie, then another, and then has to continue to cover his lies with more lies. The end result of this explosion is a greater mess than perhaps taking the blame for the first lie, and certainly greater than simply telling the truth. So it is again that to block these arrows we must raise the shield of faith.
How do we know, however, if the arrow is quenched? In a practical sense it would be easy to tell. As long as my shield is not on fire and my arrow is not smoking I can assume it is quenched. But how can we do this in the spiritual realms? If a negative thought comes at me and I begin to ponder revenge or destruction against someone, I can assume I have been hit with the arrow. The right thing at that moment would be to lay down that thought and bless the person instead. But if hours later I am still meditating on revenge, I have then allowed the fiery dart to continue to burn. This can be seen easily as well in the areas of sexual desires. If I have a lustful thought come at me, I would do right to quench it by taking that thought captive. However, if I continue to play the thought over and over in my head, and then act on it at some point, I have not quenched it, but rather have let it burn. The fiery dart that burns long enough will indeed become a stronghold. It is in those times we should raise our shield by reading/quoting Scripture, listening to worship music, praying, or even by sharing our trial with another believer.
Jude 20 tells us to build ourselves in the most holy faith. May I suggest to you that this is our anointing oil. The soldier would smoother his shield with oil so that the arrows would slip off, or have to work harder to stick. So we, smothering our shields with the Word of God places a coating on them that will leave the enemy’s arrow sliding off. The greased shield is a strong weapon. So then, let us pray in the Spirit (1 Cor 14:15,18) and build up our faith in who God is, and who we are in Him.
Faith, PISTIS in the Greek, is the inward confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance on what God has placed in our hearts. If we don’t know this confidence, then now is a good time to start getting in His Word and seeing what He has to say so that we can be built up. As we are reminded in 2 Samuel 22:31, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried; he is a buckler [shield] to all them that trust in him.” (KJV).
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