Have you ever blown it? Yelled at your children, argued with your spouse, had a public temper tantrum? Have you, since you’ve been a Christian, behave badly? At those moments did you feel as if you were holy and blameless in His eyes?

The Roman army carried a rectangular shield larger than their enemies. It protected them from arrows and spears and could be knelt behind during an arrow barrage. Paul likens their shield to our faith. He encourages us to take up the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy.

The enemy is the accuser of the brethren. He is the father of lies. His weapons of choice are lies and accusations thrown like fiery arrows. His battleground is our mind. Our protection is our shield of faith. Why faith? It takes great faith to believe you are who God says you are, even when your own actions contradict what God has said about you.

When we behave badly and even we don’t, the enemy comes in with accusations. He says things like, “you are not fit to lead”, “God can’t use you because you struggle with this sin”. But we wield our shield of faith and declare, because of the blood of Christ, “I’m who God says I am, His righteousness”.

Do you see the importance of this shield of faith? It prevents us from believing and partnering with the lies. Bill Johnson says, “when we believe the lie we empower the enemy.” No one wants that. So have faith that who God says you are, you are. Have faith that what God has called to do, you can. Have faith that you hear His voice. Despite the lies of the enemy, despite what you see with your natural eyes, despite your last mess up, God’s word is true and you are who He says you are!

You are righteous
You are holy
You are loved
You are accepted
You are His workmanship, created for good works
You hear His voice
You are welcomed into His presence
You are beautiful
You are forgiven
You were called for such a time as this
You are strong
You are healed
You are His
You are a son/daughter, and a bride
You are capable to do what He has called you to do

Believe who God says you are this morning. Take up your shield of faith and quench the enemy’s lies and accusations.

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 NIV)