Greetings Mt. Vernon Family,

Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

When arming ourselves for spiritual warfare, we place the belt of truth around our waist, then put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect our vital organs. For shoes we put on the preparation of the gospel of peace. In our text today, Paul says take up the shield of faith. In Paul’s day Roman soldiers used shields made of wood, covered in hide. When wet, the shield could extinguish a flaming arrow. Shields were used defensively to protect a soldier and offensively to push their opponents back. When fighting as a group, soldiers used their shields to form an enclosure around themselves to protect against arrow attacks. Likewise, faith shields a Christian from Satan’s flaming arrows of deception and temptation. By faith a believer is able to push back at Satan the way Jesus did in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. When believers come together on one accord in faith, we form a strong barrier against Satan’s attacks. We encourage and strengthen one another in the faith. Together we are better able to put Satan and his demons to flight and tear down strongholds of fear, doubt and deception in the lives of people setting them free.

Be Richly Blessed,

Pastor Deborah Giles