The War Is Real | October 11th
Sermon Overview
The Shield of Faith: How to Stand Firm When Life Feels Like It's on Fire
Life can feel overwhelming. Doubt creeps in, discouragement sets in, and relationships fall apart. The Bible is clear that these struggles are not random. There is a real spiritual battle happening, and God has given us everything we need to stand firm in it. One of the most powerful tools He provides is the shield of faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Warfare?
In Ephesians 6:10-13, the Apostle Paul writes: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." - Ephesians 6:10-13
Paul uses the image of a Roman soldier to illustrate how believers should prepare for spiritual attack. The enemy is real, his tactics are deliberate, and God has provided real protection.
What Is the Shield of Faith?
Ephesians 6:16 says: "In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." - Ephesians 6:16
The shield Paul references was a Roman shield roughly two and a half feet wide and four feet tall. It was wrapped in leather and soaked in water before battle so that when flaming arrows struck it, they were immediately extinguished.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith this way: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
This is not blind optimism. It is a confident trust in God and His Word, even when circumstances are difficult and answers have not yet come.
What Are the Flaming Arrows of the Enemy?
Jesus described Satan plainly in John 8:44: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in Him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the Father of lies." - John 8:44
Knowing that deception is his primary weapon helps identify the specific arrows he uses most often.
Arrow #1: Doubt
The very first attack recorded in Scripture is found in Genesis 3, when the serpent approached Eve and said, "Indeed, has God said..." - Genesis 3:1. He questioned the Word of God before anything else. That same tactic is used today. The world constantly challenges what God says is right and wrong. When we begin to doubt the truth of Scripture, the enemy has gained ground.
Arrow #2: Discouragement
Galatians 6:9 warns: "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." - Galatians 6:9
It is easy to grow tired of doing the right thing when results are slow to come. When it feels like faithfulness is not paying off, discouragement becomes a powerful weapon against us. The enemy uses weariness to get us to stop doing what is right.
Arrow #3: Discord
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things God hates, and the final one is the most serious: "One who spreads strife among brothers." - Proverbs 6:19
Jesus said in John 13:35: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35
When believers are divided and bitter toward one another, the testimony of the church is destroyed. Discord is one of the enemy's most effective and diabolical strategies.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
This is one of the most common questions people ask about faith. The story of Job gives a powerful answer. As Hank Hanegraaff writes, Job endured more tragedy in a single day than most people experience in a lifetime. His servants were killed, his possessions stolen, his children died, and his body was covered in painful sores. Yet Job responded with remarkable resolve, saying: "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." - Job 13:15
Peter addresses this directly: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you." - 1 Peter 4:12
We live in a fallen world. Suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned us. God uses trials to build and strengthen our faith.
How Do I Take Up the Shield of Faith?
There are two practical and essential ways to raise the shield of faith in the middle of a spiritual battle.
1. Know and Embrace the Word of God
Romans 10:17 tells us: "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17
When doubt attacks, go back to Scripture. When discouragement sets in, let God's Word remind you of His promises. Psalm 18:30 says: "As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him." - Psalm 18:30
A daily time in God's Word is not optional for the believer who wants to stand firm. It is the foundation of faith. Reading it, hearing it taught, and studying it in community all build the kind of trust that can withstand the enemy's attacks.
Jesus prayed in John 17:17: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." - John 17:17
2. Know and Fellowship With the People of God
The Roman shield was designed to be used in formation. Soldiers locked their shields together to create a wall of protection. Faith works the same way in community.
1 Peter 5:8-9 says: "Be of sober Spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9
The writer of Hebrews adds: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25
We are not meant to fight alone. The enemy looks for isolated believers. Staying connected to a community of faith, worshipping together, praying together, and sharing real life with one another is not just a nice idea. It is a spiritual defense strategy.
Life Application
This week, identify which flaming arrow has been hitting you hardest. Is it doubt, discouragement, or discord? Then take one concrete step to raise your shield.
Ask yourself these questions as you reflect this week:
Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6
God has not left us defenseless. He has given us His Word, His people, and His strength. Pick up the shield.
Life can feel overwhelming. Doubt creeps in, discouragement sets in, and relationships fall apart. The Bible is clear that these struggles are not random. There is a real spiritual battle happening, and God has given us everything we need to stand firm in it. One of the most powerful tools He provides is the shield of faith.
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Warfare?
In Ephesians 6:10-13, the Apostle Paul writes: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." - Ephesians 6:10-13
Paul uses the image of a Roman soldier to illustrate how believers should prepare for spiritual attack. The enemy is real, his tactics are deliberate, and God has provided real protection.
What Is the Shield of Faith?
Ephesians 6:16 says: "In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." - Ephesians 6:16
The shield Paul references was a Roman shield roughly two and a half feet wide and four feet tall. It was wrapped in leather and soaked in water before battle so that when flaming arrows struck it, they were immediately extinguished.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith this way: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
This is not blind optimism. It is a confident trust in God and His Word, even when circumstances are difficult and answers have not yet come.
What Are the Flaming Arrows of the Enemy?
Jesus described Satan plainly in John 8:44: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in Him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the Father of lies." - John 8:44
Knowing that deception is his primary weapon helps identify the specific arrows he uses most often.
Arrow #1: Doubt
The very first attack recorded in Scripture is found in Genesis 3, when the serpent approached Eve and said, "Indeed, has God said..." - Genesis 3:1. He questioned the Word of God before anything else. That same tactic is used today. The world constantly challenges what God says is right and wrong. When we begin to doubt the truth of Scripture, the enemy has gained ground.
Arrow #2: Discouragement
Galatians 6:9 warns: "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." - Galatians 6:9
It is easy to grow tired of doing the right thing when results are slow to come. When it feels like faithfulness is not paying off, discouragement becomes a powerful weapon against us. The enemy uses weariness to get us to stop doing what is right.
Arrow #3: Discord
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things God hates, and the final one is the most serious: "One who spreads strife among brothers." - Proverbs 6:19
Jesus said in John 13:35: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35
When believers are divided and bitter toward one another, the testimony of the church is destroyed. Discord is one of the enemy's most effective and diabolical strategies.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
This is one of the most common questions people ask about faith. The story of Job gives a powerful answer. As Hank Hanegraaff writes, Job endured more tragedy in a single day than most people experience in a lifetime. His servants were killed, his possessions stolen, his children died, and his body was covered in painful sores. Yet Job responded with remarkable resolve, saying: "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." - Job 13:15
Peter addresses this directly: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you." - 1 Peter 4:12
We live in a fallen world. Suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned us. God uses trials to build and strengthen our faith.
How Do I Take Up the Shield of Faith?
There are two practical and essential ways to raise the shield of faith in the middle of a spiritual battle.
1. Know and Embrace the Word of God
Romans 10:17 tells us: "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." - Romans 10:17
When doubt attacks, go back to Scripture. When discouragement sets in, let God's Word remind you of His promises. Psalm 18:30 says: "As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him." - Psalm 18:30
A daily time in God's Word is not optional for the believer who wants to stand firm. It is the foundation of faith. Reading it, hearing it taught, and studying it in community all build the kind of trust that can withstand the enemy's attacks.
Jesus prayed in John 17:17: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." - John 17:17
2. Know and Fellowship With the People of God
The Roman shield was designed to be used in formation. Soldiers locked their shields together to create a wall of protection. Faith works the same way in community.
1 Peter 5:8-9 says: "Be of sober Spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9
The writer of Hebrews adds: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25
We are not meant to fight alone. The enemy looks for isolated believers. Staying connected to a community of faith, worshipping together, praying together, and sharing real life with one another is not just a nice idea. It is a spiritual defense strategy.
Life Application
This week, identify which flaming arrow has been hitting you hardest. Is it doubt, discouragement, or discord? Then take one concrete step to raise your shield.
- If it is doubt, open your Bible and spend time in a passage that speaks directly to what you are questioning.
- If it is discouragement, reach out to a fellow believer and ask them to pray with you and for you.
- If it is discord, take the humble step of reaching out to someone you are at odds with and pursue peace.
Ask yourself these questions as you reflect this week:
- What lies am I currently believing that are not consistent with what God's Word actually says?
- Am I trying to fight this battle alone, or am I staying connected to a community of faith?
- Is there someone I need to pursue reconciliation with, and what is stopping me from taking that step?
Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6
God has not left us defenseless. He has given us His Word, His people, and His strength. Pick up the shield.
Day 1: You Are Not Fighting Alone
Devotional
Have you ever felt like life was coming at you from every direction? Like no matter how hard you tried, something always seemed to knock you back down? You are not imagining it. There is a real battle happening, and you are in the middle of it. Ephesians 6 makes it clear that our struggles are not just circumstantial. They are spiritual. The enemy is real, and his attacks are deliberate. But here is the encouraging part: God has not left you defenseless. He has provided real protection, and the shield of faith is one of the most powerful pieces of armor you have access to. Faith is not wishful thinking. It is an active, living trust in a God who is completely trustworthy. When you pick up that shield, you are not pretending the battle is not real. You are declaring that God is bigger than whatever is coming at you. You do not have to figure this out on your own. God knew what you would face, and He made a way through it. That is worth holding onto today.
Bible Verse
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
Reflection Question
If you truly believed God was fighting alongside you in your current struggle, how would that change the way you are facing it today?
Quote
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places."
Prayer
Lord, remind me today that I am not alone in this battle. Help me to pick up the shield of faith and trust that You are bigger than anything coming against me. Amen.
Have you ever felt like life was coming at you from every direction? Like no matter how hard you tried, something always seemed to knock you back down? You are not imagining it. There is a real battle happening, and you are in the middle of it. Ephesians 6 makes it clear that our struggles are not just circumstantial. They are spiritual. The enemy is real, and his attacks are deliberate. But here is the encouraging part: God has not left you defenseless. He has provided real protection, and the shield of faith is one of the most powerful pieces of armor you have access to. Faith is not wishful thinking. It is an active, living trust in a God who is completely trustworthy. When you pick up that shield, you are not pretending the battle is not real. You are declaring that God is bigger than whatever is coming at you. You do not have to figure this out on your own. God knew what you would face, and He made a way through it. That is worth holding onto today.
Bible Verse
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
Reflection Question
If you truly believed God was fighting alongside you in your current struggle, how would that change the way you are facing it today?
Quote
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places."
Prayer
Lord, remind me today that I am not alone in this battle. Help me to pick up the shield of faith and trust that You are bigger than anything coming against me. Amen.
Day 2: The Lies We Believe
Devotional
It started in a garden with a single question: "Did God really say?" The enemy has been using the same playbook ever since. His first move is almost always doubt. He whispers that God's Word cannot be trusted, that His promises are too good to be true, or that your situation is somehow the exception. And if we are not careful, we start to believe him. Doubt is not always loud. Sometimes it is quiet and slow, creeping in during hard seasons when prayers feel unanswered and life feels unfair. Before long, we are not just questioning our circumstances. We are questioning God Himself. This is exactly why staying rooted in Scripture matters so much. Faith is built by hearing the Word of God, not by how we feel on a given day. When you fill your mind with what God has actually said, you give yourself something solid to stand on when the doubts come. Today, take a moment to ask yourself an honest question. Then bring whatever surfaces to God. He is not afraid of your doubts, and He is more than able to meet you in them.
Bible Verse
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17
Reflection Question
What lies am I believing right now, and how does what God says in His Word speak directly to those lies?
Quote
"What lies am I believing right now?"
Prayer
Father, expose the lies I have been believing and replace them with the truth of Your Word. Give me a hunger for Scripture that anchors my faith when doubt tries to take hold. Amen.
It started in a garden with a single question: "Did God really say?" The enemy has been using the same playbook ever since. His first move is almost always doubt. He whispers that God's Word cannot be trusted, that His promises are too good to be true, or that your situation is somehow the exception. And if we are not careful, we start to believe him. Doubt is not always loud. Sometimes it is quiet and slow, creeping in during hard seasons when prayers feel unanswered and life feels unfair. Before long, we are not just questioning our circumstances. We are questioning God Himself. This is exactly why staying rooted in Scripture matters so much. Faith is built by hearing the Word of God, not by how we feel on a given day. When you fill your mind with what God has actually said, you give yourself something solid to stand on when the doubts come. Today, take a moment to ask yourself an honest question. Then bring whatever surfaces to God. He is not afraid of your doubts, and He is more than able to meet you in them.
Bible Verse
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17
Reflection Question
What lies am I believing right now, and how does what God says in His Word speak directly to those lies?
Quote
"What lies am I believing right now?"
Prayer
Father, expose the lies I have been believing and replace them with the truth of Your Word. Give me a hunger for Scripture that anchors my faith when doubt tries to take hold. Amen.
Day 3: When Doing Good Feels Pointless
Devotional
You have been faithful. You have shown up, done the right thing, and kept going even when it was hard. And yet, nothing seems to be changing. Sound familiar? Discouragement is one of the enemy's most effective weapons because it does not attack your actions. It attacks your motivation. It whispers that your faithfulness is not making a difference, that no one notices, and that it is simply not worth it anymore. Job understood this kind of pressure. He lost nearly everything, and yet he made one of the most remarkable declarations in all of Scripture. Even in the depths of his suffering, he chose to hope in God. Not because his circumstances were good, but because God was trustworthy. Suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned you. Sometimes He uses the hardest seasons to build the deepest faith. Your faithfulness right now, even when it feels invisible, is not wasted. God sees it, and He is at work in ways you cannot yet see. Keep going. The harvest is coming.
Bible Verse
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Reflection Question
Where in your life are you most tempted to give up on doing good, and what would it look like to trust God with that area for one more day?
Quote
"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."
Prayer
God, when I feel like my faithfulness is going unnoticed, remind me that You see every step. Give me the strength to keep going and the faith to trust Your timing. Amen.
You have been faithful. You have shown up, done the right thing, and kept going even when it was hard. And yet, nothing seems to be changing. Sound familiar? Discouragement is one of the enemy's most effective weapons because it does not attack your actions. It attacks your motivation. It whispers that your faithfulness is not making a difference, that no one notices, and that it is simply not worth it anymore. Job understood this kind of pressure. He lost nearly everything, and yet he made one of the most remarkable declarations in all of Scripture. Even in the depths of his suffering, he chose to hope in God. Not because his circumstances were good, but because God was trustworthy. Suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned you. Sometimes He uses the hardest seasons to build the deepest faith. Your faithfulness right now, even when it feels invisible, is not wasted. God sees it, and He is at work in ways you cannot yet see. Keep going. The harvest is coming.
Bible Verse
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Reflection Question
Where in your life are you most tempted to give up on doing good, and what would it look like to trust God with that area for one more day?
Quote
"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."
Prayer
God, when I feel like my faithfulness is going unnoticed, remind me that You see every step. Give me the strength to keep going and the faith to trust Your timing. Amen.
Day 4: Guard What You Have Together
Devotional
Nothing grieves the heart of God quite like division among His people. Jesus prayed for unity among believers, and He told His disciples that love for one another would be the very thing that showed the world who He was. That is how important our relationships with each other are. The enemy knows this. Discord is one of his sharpest arrows because it does not just hurt individuals. It fractures communities, silences witness, and turns the church's attention inward. A divided church is a distracted church. This is why protecting your relationships with other believers is a spiritual act, not just a social one. Choosing patience over frustration, forgiveness over bitterness, and humility over pride is not weakness. It is warfare. When you love your brothers and sisters well, even when it is difficult, you are raising a shield that protects the entire body. You are also showing a watching world something they desperately need to see: that a different kind of community is possible because of Jesus.
Bible Verse
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35
Reflection Question
Is there a relationship in your church community where tension or distance has grown, and what is one step you could take this week to move toward that person?
Quote
"The worst of all these is to cause strife in the family of God, cause discord with brothers and sisters."
Prayer
Jesus, help me to love the people around me the way You have loved me. Where there is division, make me a peacemaker, and protect the unity of our church for Your glory. Amen.
Nothing grieves the heart of God quite like division among His people. Jesus prayed for unity among believers, and He told His disciples that love for one another would be the very thing that showed the world who He was. That is how important our relationships with each other are. The enemy knows this. Discord is one of his sharpest arrows because it does not just hurt individuals. It fractures communities, silences witness, and turns the church's attention inward. A divided church is a distracted church. This is why protecting your relationships with other believers is a spiritual act, not just a social one. Choosing patience over frustration, forgiveness over bitterness, and humility over pride is not weakness. It is warfare. When you love your brothers and sisters well, even when it is difficult, you are raising a shield that protects the entire body. You are also showing a watching world something they desperately need to see: that a different kind of community is possible because of Jesus.
Bible Verse
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35
Reflection Question
Is there a relationship in your church community where tension or distance has grown, and what is one step you could take this week to move toward that person?
Quote
"The worst of all these is to cause strife in the family of God, cause discord with brothers and sisters."
Prayer
Jesus, help me to love the people around me the way You have loved me. Where there is division, make me a peacemaker, and protect the unity of our church for Your glory. Amen.
Day 5: Lock Shields
Devotional
Roman soldiers did not fight alone. They trained to press their shields together, forming a wall that protected not just themselves but everyone beside them. One soldier with a shield was vulnerable. A unit with interlocked shields was nearly unstoppable. Faith works the same way. You were never designed to carry this on your own. God built the church not as an optional add-on to the Christian life but as a core part of how He protects and sustains His people. When you stay connected, worship together, pray together, and share the real stuff of your life with others, you are not just being social. You are engaging in a spiritual defense strategy. If you are in a season where you feel isolated or like you are barely holding on, that is exactly when you need to lean in, not pull back. Reach out. Ask for prayer. Let someone come alongside you. We need each other. That is not a sign of weakness. It is exactly how God designed it to work.
Bible Verse
"And let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25
Reflection Question
Who in your life is currently fighting a battle alone, and how could you intentionally lock shields with them this week?
Quote
"The shields of the ancient Romans were carried in such a way that they were packed tightly together, virtually interlocking into a large complex of shields. This is the shield of faith, which by design is interlocked with other soldiers, those next to you."
Prayer
Lord, thank You for placing me in a community of faith. Help me to show up for others and to humbly receive help when I need it, knowing that together we are stronger. Amen.
Roman soldiers did not fight alone. They trained to press their shields together, forming a wall that protected not just themselves but everyone beside them. One soldier with a shield was vulnerable. A unit with interlocked shields was nearly unstoppable. Faith works the same way. You were never designed to carry this on your own. God built the church not as an optional add-on to the Christian life but as a core part of how He protects and sustains His people. When you stay connected, worship together, pray together, and share the real stuff of your life with others, you are not just being social. You are engaging in a spiritual defense strategy. If you are in a season where you feel isolated or like you are barely holding on, that is exactly when you need to lean in, not pull back. Reach out. Ask for prayer. Let someone come alongside you. We need each other. That is not a sign of weakness. It is exactly how God designed it to work.
Bible Verse
"And let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25
Reflection Question
Who in your life is currently fighting a battle alone, and how could you intentionally lock shields with them this week?
Quote
"The shields of the ancient Romans were carried in such a way that they were packed tightly together, virtually interlocking into a large complex of shields. This is the shield of faith, which by design is interlocked with other soldiers, those next to you."
Prayer
Lord, thank You for placing me in a community of faith. Help me to show up for others and to humbly receive help when I need it, knowing that together we are stronger. Amen.