Ephesians 6:16
16 Above [epi] all, [pas] taking [analambano] the
shield [thureos] of faith, [pistis] wherewith [en] [hos] ye shall be able [dunamai]
to quench [sbennumi] all [pas] the fiery [puroo] darts [belos] of the wicked. [poneros] KJV-Interlinear
16 in addition to all, taking up
the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming
missiles of the evil one. NASB
Whole or complete armor, refers to the complete and
covered protection of a soldier in battle.
In these verses there are described six pieces of
armor in the spiritual battle dress of the believer.
Belt of truth;
Breastplate of righteousness;
Footwear of peace;
Shield of faith;
Helmet of salvation;
Sword of the Spirit.
The shield is a reference to the use or application
of faith.
Faith is used to extinguish evil as a candle is
extinguished when it is blown out.
Flaming missiles, apply to all assaults that are
intended to destroy or kill, as it were.
Flaming missiles are all evil attacks, all non-spiritual opinions, all
attempts to apply philosophy to life, to all temptations brought on by this
unfair world, by poor health, by lack of money, by over talent, and so forth
and so forth.
The shield is huge when it comes to battle and the
actual fight. The shield is not used
when there is no fight. It is used and is only useful when the fight is in
force and active. And evil is always
active.
The shield is carried by the arm with a hand
hold. The shield can be maneuvered all
around, covering and protecting all parts of the entire body, depending on from
when and where the attack is coming.
Therefore, the shield is the functional application
of that which it covers, namely doctrine which has already been studied in the
belt, the breastplate and the footwear.
The shield applies all of these and in so doing
protects all of these. Doctrine develops
faith and faith protects doctrine. They
are synergistically related, each building on the other, each producing far
more exponentially when combined.
Faith is nothing without doctrine. Doctrine is nothing without faith. Both work hand in hand to produce and protect
the total warrior.
Faith bears out the whole character of the
Christian. Faith, correct faith, is not
a wish, not a hope, but the application of substantive thought. It is wielded by the arm of activity and
therefore is an application of the mind that directs the arm. That mind contains doctrine.
A shield is used effectively and well, after much practice
and training, which is of course your daily study over the course of time.
