Today we will study Our Shield, one of the garments of the Gospel Armor. With the gospel armor we are able to withstand the wiles darts of the wicked. We will get to that in a minute, but what is the shield for. It is to protects us from our enemy’s weapon being used against us. And that shield is Faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s begin with the whole armor of God. Ephesians chapter 6 and we will pick up the whole subject with verses 10-20, and it reads.
Eph.6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
All power comes from God, and he gives us power over all evil spirits. Luke 10:19.
Eph.6:11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Tells us to put all of it on, meaning read the whole word of God.
Eph.6:12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Against wicked men in high places means those in power today with governments.
Eph.6:13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Right here we know that we are not flying away (Rapture) because we are to stand.
Eph.6:14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Truth is God’s Word. What is righteousness? It is doing what’s right.
Eph.6:15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Taking the word of God and proclaiming it to the world. Again, this is for protection, God will protect you when you do his works for him. And now why we came here.
Eph.6:16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Faith is the shield that we use to protect us from our enemy’s weapons that they use against us. Faith is the Shield. Our faith in Jesus Christ who protects us.
Eph.6:17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The shield is in our left hand, the sword is in our right hand. This is covered in 2Cor.6:7 And it reads.
2Cor.6:7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
With the power of God and our gospel armor on we will stand against the wicked. Back to Eph.6 and verse 18 reads.
Eph.6:18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
[19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
As we are “ought to speak”. We are to teach what we have learned to others, including the mysteries written in the word. This means study to show thyself approved. Remember we are studying the Shield, our Faith. Now, let’s go to John 20:29 and it reads.
John 20:29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Don’t think you are not blessed. You believe in God and that Jesus is the Son of God. Then believe me, you are blessed. Let’s now go to Job. Let God show you the true Shield. Job 1:6-12 and it reads.
Job 1:6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
[7] And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Don’t overlook this, Satan was allowed to go up and down in the earth, until Jesus told him in Matthew 4 “Get thee hence Satan” meaning get behind me Satan, from then on only his evil spirit can roam the earth.
Job 1:8] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
God acknowledges that Job is a very Faithful man.
Job 1:9] Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
[10] Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
This is why we came here. God puts a hedge around us, a shield, that protects us from all evil even against Satan. That’s right, God allowed this to happen to Job for an example to us in these end times. why we need to have the whole gospel armor on includes Faith as our shield in our left hand and the sword, Word of God, in our right hand. Then we Stand and not fly away and fight against evil. Not against flesh and blood but principalities that are in the world today. Let’s finish with 1Cor.10:13.
1Cor.10:13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Have faith, fear not the Lord is with us. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is that shield that protects us from the enemies’ weapons. Even Satan cannot hurt you. There will come a time when that locust army will come against the whole earth. But, God has given them their instructions. Let’s us read Rev.9:4.
Rev.9:4] And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Proving that the locust are not insects but a great army. They can’t hurt those that have the seal of God in their foreheads, that is the Word of God in their minds. Study to show thyself approved. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.