In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Summary: When we consider Paul’s “shield of faith,” it is helpful to understand what the word “faith” means. Looking at how many ways the word can be used helps us to understand how Paul is using it in this passage.
Continuing with our inventory of spiritual armor, we have arrived at what Paul calls “the shield of faith.” We know what a shield is, but do we understand what kind of faith Paul is talking about?
Like so many words in our language, “faith” is a word that has multiple applications and meanings. For example, the word “faith” can refer to any of the following:
- A personal point of view
- A conviction that a particular truth or teacher is correct
- Reliance on a church doctrine
- Living one’s life according to a doctrine, or personal conviction
- A system of teachings, such as a religion or denomination
- Personal assurance or belief in something
- Being faithful to your faith
You might come up with a similar list that has more or fewer items, depending on how you choose to split hairs. (I admit that some of these divisions I’ve listed are separated by fine lines.) Yet the sheer number of them points to the danger of tossing the word, “faith” around carelessly.
Is there a difference between a faith in Jesus that saves us from hell and what Paul describes as a “shield of faith?”
In Romans 14:1, Paul writes, “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” Jesus himself talks about people of “great faith” (Matthew 8:10, 15:28) and people of “little faith” (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31).
When it comes to questions of salvation, Paul writes: “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” (Romans 14:4) He also points out, “…if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
We are not questioning the Lord’s ability or desire to save us all. (John 3:14-15) We are asking the question, “What kind of faith do you have?” If we bumped into Jesus on the street today, would he say we have little faith, or great faith? (It’s an important question. You might want to ask him about it next time you talk with him.)
When we talk about the “shield of faith,” let’s use the word “faith” to mean:
- That we understand the gospel message, “Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” (2 Timothy 2:8)
- That we understand Jesus and God are one being (John 10:30, 14:9)
- We are so confident in this truth that we give up pursuing selfish gain and repent, meaning we turn from being willful and give ourselves to Jesus Christ. (Galatians 5:24)
- That we have committed our lives to learning God’s will and living accordingly (Matthew 7:21, 13:52, 16:24)
The point is that the kind of faith we are talking about is the kind of faith we can take into spiritual battle for the Lord. It is the kind of faith that can extinguish the “flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Application: Consider the meaning of a faith that can be used as a shield in battle.
Food for Thought: How is “great faith” different than “little faith?”
Jeff, Excellent overview of concept of faith. A suggestion for the reality on living today world, a deep dive into your last sentence (the second half of this verse). ie, It is the kind of faith that can extinguish the “flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Your explanation of that last part of the verse would be very instructive and critical for all of us who are trying to ‘stand in the gap’ for Our Lord, Jesus Christ in this evil filled world.
Thanks, Jim!
If the power of God were water, faith is the size of our hose. The question then becomes are we using a little tiny garden hose with kinks in it, or have we grabbed on to an oversized fire hose with the valve wide open?
Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
I think we as people look at the measure of our faith according to the cost that we face. That our fear imposes limits on our faith. But that is the point of a shield. To feel the safety of standing behind it. Jesus told us in Matthew 17:20-21 “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Whether we view something as a “life-changing” decision or as “normal daily life” decisions, it is the same faith. Faith that if we look to Jesus to guide us, He is faithful to guide us to the will of the Father, and that we don’t need to fear.
Philippians 2:9-10 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Chris,
You make an interesting point. To use my hose analogy above, we don’t need a fire hose if we are watering a house plant. On the other hand, if faith is like a muscle, a person doesn’t know if they can hold the shield up if they haven’t exercised with it.
Interesting question brother.
One response is to look at the foundation that we are building for our lives. Is the foundation built upon Jesus or something else? Are we trusting our lives on Jesus and His teachings or on something else? Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, mentions that the foundation upon which we build will be tested and will stand or fall accordingly (Matthew 7: 24 – 27). I think one way to look at a great faith verses a small one is to look at the foundation.
Thanks Rich!
I agree. The foundation we build our faith on is absolutely critical.
Great Stuff !
10-24-2023, How is “great faith” different than “little faith?”
As I understand from previous posts, “great faith” and “little faith” are not a description of what we have been given by God, but are in truth, descriptions of how we apply this gift to given circumstance’s.
In 1 Kings 18:18-40, Our Bible contains a test of God’s power and the power of 450 prophets of Baal, with the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who ate at Jezebel’s table, as suggested by His Prophet Elijah.
The test showed God was more powerful than the god of the prophets of Baal, and Elijah had all the priests of Baal killed. The Queen Jezebel vowed to kill Elijah who became afraid and ran away in fear, to save his life.
The verses below indicate to me, all believers have been given the full power of the Holy Spirit, and as shown by the actions of Elijah, we choose to walk confidently in”great” or “little” faith.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26
All limits are put in place by us.
Ron,
Thank you for your words today. Your summation says it all:
“All limits are put in place by us.”
Amen