Righteousness is our breastplate, and guards our spiritual body and core, a most important protection to be sure. But a shield, like that of our faith, is useful and necessary for defense in every direction. We of the faith are attacked from all angles, and in all walks of life. We literally find ourselves amidst 360 degrees of battle-front. The Apostle Paul lamented this fact when he said that whenever he wants “to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:21). So as temptation lurks, and is launched upon us unexpectedly, a deep rooted faith, connecting our head and our heart is crucial for holy living.
One writer said of faith that it is the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1); essentially, it means our intellectual assent to God’s truth, and moral consent to live in light of that truth. Faith is our ever ready shield because it takes into account the entire scope of life in all its complexities. Every facet of our life is touched, influenced, and affected by our belief in Jesus as the Word of God. There is no direction we can travel in which Scripture has not spoken to, it is a complete and comprehensive view on human life and experience. And it is our belief and trust in both the written and revealed Word of God that equates to our faith.
Paul called them “flaming darts” because they are poisonous, and inflame when they take root, and take hold in our lives. But the faith that comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17) can extinguish those flaming darts, and provide a way of escape from temptation.
