"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Ephesians 6:16
Our Lord reminds us that we believers are in a fierce battle for the right. He has called us to stand and fight for Him.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Our Lord has not left us ill-equipped for our task! He has provided a suit of armor perfect for defending ourselves against His enemy. Just one piece of armor will not do, each one has a job to do in protecting us.
Put on “truth.” The belt that protects our midsection and holds together our robes. This helps us move in the fight! “The truth” holds our uniform together.
Put on “righteousness” as a breastplate to cover your vitals! This keeps us being, doing, and thinking rightly.
Put on the “preparation of the Gospel of peace!” The believer is ready to march into battle, his feet are protected. Without the Gospel, no soldier is prepared!
Put on the “helmet of salvation!” Ah, salvation, that keeps the soldier’s head safe. What great assurance for the believer. “If we die a-fighting it is no disgrace!” We will be saved in life or in death. Praise the Lord!
Pick up the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!” What a weapon! Be thoroughly familiar with it, use it well!
We are well prepared for the fight. But there is one more piece of the armor we dare not forget.
“Above all,”
In the sense of adding this piece to all the others, it is not of more importance, but it can be used to protect all parts of the soldier’s body. Be sure you add this piece! We “live by faith!”
“Taking the shield of faith,”
It is perilous to forget the shield.
“The true safeguard in the evil day lies ever, not in introspection, but in that look wholly outward, Godward, which is the essence of faith.” [1]
“Faith here is made to occupy a more important place than either of the other Christian graces. It bears, to the whole Christian character, the same relation which the shield does to the other parts of the armor of a soldier. It protects all, and is indispensable to the security of all, as is the case with the shield” (Barnes).
“Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Whatever the enemy can throw your way can be extinguished with the “shield of faith.”
[1] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.