An effective communicator may detail a plan of action or list various issues, but at the end of their talk, it is their intention that the listener walk away with one “main idea.” I can remember two pastors (Regier & Phelps) who poured into a teenage boy and helped develop my communication skills as a preacher. They both insisted that I sum up and entire message in one sentence. When the congregation gets up and walks away, what did they glean from your 20 to 40 minutes of communication.
Paul, one of history’s greatest communicators, delivers this list of armor with one caveat, “ ABOVE ALL, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” In other words, “right in the middle of this list I’m giving you, if you remember nothing else, take the shield of faith!”
I love the irony that not only is the shield of faith “above all” in importance, this piece of armor literally stands above all the others. A shield in this day was no “Captain America” circular disk. Rather they were large and heavy, often standing near five feet tall. The shield of faith does not have to be maneuvered with skill, it is a full-length protection we can hide behind. Faith shields our security in salvation right down to the peace we seek to hold.
In a military advance against the enemy, they often seem to have the high ground. From their distant perch overlooking our lives they fire down fiery darts. I’m reminded of the James 3 passage, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. You see, the most dangerous darts are not often literal ones, but the little ones that search for holes in our faith. If you have ever given ear to gossip, you know that it does not have to be true to dilute your perception. It only takes a little fire...
While advancing against spiritual wickedness in high places, armies would rally and use their shields to form a complete overhead covering. These shields that were often lined with tough leather had been dipped in water and treated with fat, so that when a dart touched them, it was immediately extinguished. Once again, the symbolism is so great! Daily you must choose to dip your faith in the water of life, so that it is able to extinguish those darts. A shield of faith that is not treated can begin to crack, putting your life in danger, and the lives of your fellow soldiers.
What, or rather, WHO is your faith in? Not just your hopes and dreams…what is your heart so deeply rooted in that you find safety beneath its shadow. Each day you must choose to guard your heart behind faith in Jesus Christ. Then, rally near soldiers who will lift their shield above your life. There is nothing more scary than being a lone soldier advancing toward fiery darts. But what a privilege to know that my fellow soldiers, the ones I love with all my heart, are standing beside me. No arrow can pierce me, or fire consume me, because I know beyond doubt that they stand beside me. My faith is more than my trust. It is my trust coupled with advancing action.
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