Shield of Faith

October 19, 2025

Faith functions as a protective shield that extinguishes every attack from the enemy.

Today, we explore how to stand firm in life's battles using faith as our protective shield. When challenges surround us like enemy armies, God's Word provides powerful strategies to overcome every attack and claim victory through unwavering faith.

Seeking God in Difficult Times

The story of Jehoshaphat teaches us a powerful lesson about facing overwhelming odds. When enemy kings surrounded Judah, threatening destruction, Jehoshaphat didn't surrender to fear but gathered the people to seek God's help:

"The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him." - 2 Chronicles 20:4

This unified seeking of God demonstrates the power of coming together with one mindset and one accord. When believers unite in seeking God's help during difficult times, they position themselves to receive what they need.

Standing on God's Promises

Jehoshaphat's prayer reveals a powerful strategy for facing our battles. He didn't focus on the problem but on God's covenant promises:

"Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?" - 2 Chronicles 20:6-7

Notice how Jehoshaphat connects with God's promises, reminding Him of what He had given to their forefathers. He wasn't presenting his problem as his own but as God's problem because it involved God's covenant promises. The land wasn't given temporarily but "forever" to Abraham's descendants.

We can apply this same principle today. When sickness attacks, we can declare: "By His stripes, we are healed forever. This sickness cannot stand against me because God's healing is eternal." When problems arise, we can stand on God's eternal promises rather than temporary circumstances.

Coming to God's Presence in Trouble

Jehoshaphat continued his prayer by recalling what God had instructed them to do in times of trouble:

"If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us." - 2 Chronicles 20:9

The people had not only lived in the promised land but had built a sanctuary for God's name. They knew exactly what to do when disaster struck: stand in God's presence, cry out to Him, and proclaim His promises. This is our pattern too. When troubles come, we must enter God's presence, stand firmly on His Word, and declare His promises over our situation.

Putting on God's Armor

The apostle Paul gives us specific instructions for standing firm in spiritual battles:

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13

Standing firm is emphasized repeatedly. It's often easier to give up when facing difficulties, but God calls us to stand our ground. This isn't a passive stance but an active resistance against the enemy's schemes.

The Belt of Truth

The first piece of armor Paul mentions is truth:

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." - Ephesians 6:14

Truth is like a belt that strengthens us to stand in triumph. This truth isn't just factual accuracy but God's Word and promises. When medical reports show concerning results or circumstances appear bleak, the truth of Scripture becomes our foundation.

When facing problems, it's easy to surrender to what we see, but faith calls us to stand on what God says. The truth declares: "I shall not die but live and declare the glory of God" and "By His stripes I am healed." God's truth must be our foundation in every battle.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Our hearts need special protection during spiritual warfare:

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." - Ephesians 6:14

This righteousness isn't earned through perfect behavior but received through faith in Jesus. When we believe Jesus died and rose again for us, we receive God's righteousness as protective armor.

The enemy constantly accuses: "It's because of your past sins," "You haven't been good enough," or "How can you expect God's help when you've failed so often?" These accusations target our hearts, attempting to fill us with guilt and condemnation.

Each morning, declare: "I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am connected to God Himself. He is my Father, and I stand in His presence." This protective covering prevents worldly thoughts from producing negativity, failure, and death in your heart.

Faith: Your Wraparound Shield

The most powerful piece of spiritual armor is faith:

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." - Ephesians 6:16

Faith functions like a fire extinguisher against the enemy's flaming arrows. When sickness, fear, or doubt target you or your family, faith in God's Word extinguishes these attacks.

Remember, these attacks come from the enemy, not from God. Some mistakenly believe God allows suffering to teach lessons, but Jesus asked: Would you give your child a snake when they ask for an egg? Even evil people wouldn't do that. God isn't in the business of causing harm but of fulfilling promises and doing good.

Faith creates a protective bubble around you. Like a soldier's shield defends against attacks, your faith shields you from everything the enemy throws your way. Every disease, scheme, and attack must bow to the name of Jesus when met with the shield of faith.

Conclusion

When facing life's battles, don't surrender to fear or anxiety. Instead, stand firm in God's presence, declare His promises, and hold up your shield of faith. Remember Jehoshaphat's example, he faced overwhelming odds but stood on God's covenant promises and saw victory.

Put on the full armor of God daily: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and especially the shield of faith. With these spiritual defenses, you can extinguish every flaming arrow the enemy aims at you and your loved ones.

Reflect on This

1. How might your perspective change if you viewed your current challenges as opportunities to exercise your faith rather than reasons to fear?

2. What promises from God's Word can you declare today to strengthen your shield of faith against specific attacks you're facing?

   
   

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your unfailing promises. I stand firmly on Your Word today, wrapped in the shield of faith that extinguishes every flaming arrow of the enemy. I declare that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. By Your stripes, I am healed forever. I am Your righteousness in Christ, completely protected and defended. Every scheme of the enemy is destroyed as I stand in faith. I receive Your peace, joy, and victory now. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Key Takeaways

• When facing difficulties, gather with other believers to seek God with one accord.

• Stand firmly on God's eternal promises rather than focusing on temporary circumstances.

• In times of trouble, enter God's presence, stand on His Word, and declare His promises.

• Truth is your foundation in spiritual warfare, what God says outweighs what you see.

• The righteousness we receive through Christ protects our hearts from the enemy's accusations.

  
  

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.