360. EPH 6:16. THE SHIELD

Eph_6:16. The Shield

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."’97Eph_6:16.

The Christian warrior is to be distinguished for his pacific spirit. While he wars against sin and Satan, he is to be eminently a subject of Christ’s peaceful kingdom. His path is the way of peace’97his badge is to be peace’97his motto peace’97his spirit and his temper are to be influenced by peace’97his song, "Glory to God in the highest," &c. Having the gospel of peace beneath his feet, he will enjoy and retain peace with God, and peace of conscience through the Lord Jesus Christ. This peace will cheer and strengthen him on his course; and thus, as Israel of old, his shoes shall be as iron and brass; and "as his day is, so shall his strength be." But we must consider the Christian’s shield. Above all, or as some render, with all, or at all times, "taking the shield of faith," &c. Observe,

I. The Danger specified.

This is included in the "fiery darts of the devil." Here, we have,

1. The author of this danger.

"The wicked." He is preeminently the wicked one. The wicked one, as God is the good and holy one. The originator of wickedness in heaven. The successful projector of wickedness upon earth The father of wickedness, and of the wicked. As such, he is malevolently disposed towards man, especially towards the godly. "He goeth about," &c. He is man’s incessant adversary. The hater of all good’97the wrathful destroyer of immortal souls Notice,

2. The means he employs.

He is represented as an archer, who directs his fiery or envenomed darts, or arrows, at the children of God. Now, this strikingly illustrates the temptations of the devil. They come often upon the Christian,

(1) As suddenly as darts and arrows. How often in a moment is some evil suggested to the mind’97some wicked thought thrown across the mind.

(2) As silent, and invisible as darts. Other weapons make a noise; but the dart is directed to its object without alarm, often when alone, all external things quiet; yet, we feel the presence of these dangerous missiles.

(3) Dangerous as darts. Fiery darts are often sent into the enemy’s camp, or city, to set it on fire. Poisoned darts, or arrows, often produce immediate pain, swelling, mortification, and death. Now, Satan’s temptations and darts, poisoned with the evil of sin, which, if effectual, produce disease, and spiritual death. To add to the Christian’s dangers, Satan’s temptations,

(4) Are numerous and various as darts. He has darts to suit all persons, all conditions, and all times. And he suits his wiles and stratagems to the circumstances of those he attacks. And in this world we never can evade this danger. In heaven only, shall we be beyond the reach of his temptations. Notice,

II. The Piece of defensive Armor recommended.

"The shield of faith." Ancient shields were made of various materials, and of different sizes and forms. They were designed for the defence of the whole person, and to be moved in any direction from which danger might be apprehended. Now, in the Scriptures, we read of three shields for the godly man.

(1) The Lord God, &c. "I am thy shield," &c.

(2) The truth, or the divine word. "His truth shall be thy shield, and thy buckler." Psa_5:12.

(3) Then, in the text, faith is said to be the Christian’s shield. Now, there is no contradiction in these representations. Faith must have a revelation as its basis, and that is God’s word. This word makes Known God as the defence and helper of his people. Faith then is the instrumental shield of the Christian warrior. Now, faith is a shield,

1. To the Christian’s spiritual life "We live by faith in the Son of God." The just," &c. It keeps the soul united to Christ. It inspires the breath of life The loss of faith, is the loss of the life of God in the soul.

2. It is a shield to all the graces of the soul.

As our faith is, so will our hope, and love, and humility, and courage, be. The graces cannot exist only as they are defended and supported by faith.

3. It is the Christian’s shield in suffering and death.

Faith endures, as seeing him who is invisible. See how it influenced the Old Testament worthies, as recorded, Heb_11:33. Notice,

III. The Efficiency of this Shield is asserted.

"Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery," &c. By faith, all Satan’s temptations are successfully resisted and overcome.

1. Faith in the divine veracity and faithfulness, is successful against all temptations, to distrust, &c.

God cannot lie. He cannot change. He is ever faithful, &c. "The Father of lights," &c. "I am the Lord," &c.

2. Faith in the divine promises is successful against temptations to despondency.

In troubles; in adversity; in affliction &c. He will suggest that God has forgotten us; or will leave us, &c. But faith rests on the promises. "I will never, never leave," &c. "When thou passest through the waters," &c. "The Lord God is a sun," &c.

3. Faith in the divine justice and holiness, is successful against all temptations to presumption.

The believer will not sin that grace may abound. He never forgets the holiness and justice of God; and fears to offend against his righteous laws. A believer’s view of the purity of God abases him into the depths of humiliation.

4. Faith in the divine Mediator is successful against all the insinuations and charges of the wicked one.

He is the accuser of the brethren, both to God and their own consciences. He wishes to darken the mind. To fill with slavish fear. To overwhelm with despair. Hence, he will refer the soul to its sins, Infirmities, weaknesses, &c. Faith points to the Saviour, and triumphs in this, that Christ has died, "yea, rather that he has risen," &c. His name, our plea; his righteousness, our robe; his Spirit, our sanctification; his grace, our support,&c.; his presence, our peace, and eternal rest.

Application

1. Learn the incalculable worth of faith. It is the eye of the soul; the foot of the soul; the hand of the soul; the breath of the soul; the life of the soul.

2. Learn how faith may be strong and victorious. It must feed upon the word, and be in constant exercise. Unbelief shuts up the soul in the kingdom of Satan, and exposes to eternal wrath.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS