Shield of Faith #
Ephesians 6:16
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Reflections Of Last Week #
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Were you able to make changes to your routine create space and build readiness?
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What gave you peace this week?
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Where would you like to continue to seek peace and readiness?
Verse & Intro #
Shield #
The Roman soldier shield was vital armor. Shields locked together to form a protective wall from attacks. The shields were constructed of layers of wood, covered in leather, and banded with metal. Shields were typically soaked in water to protect them from fiery arrows catching the shield on fire.
Faith To Extinguish The Evil One’s Flaming Darts #
First of all, the evil one’s flaming darts are what Satan uses each and every moment to keep you ineffective. Your wounds and your past choices to settle for less wild lovers. The more we choose to settle or believe the items that might have been true, but are not God’s Truth, the more we have our shields become dry and can catch fire! That fire will cause us to lower our shield or abandon it all together.
Faith is trusting what God says about us and trust what our future is. Faith is knowing that you are forgiven, you are justified, and what God says is Truth about who you are. Faith will render the agreements ineffective and allow you to form a wall that protects you and those around you.
Scripture Questions #
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What is something that strengthens your faith?
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What happens when you are isolated to the lies and agreements with the evil one?
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How does the faith of those around you make you stronger?
Application #
Faith is not a passive act. Faith is trusting that even if I am going into something that I am not sure is going to be safe, that God has what is best for me. Faith is not taking the easy route or pushing the easy button, but moving forward even when we cannot see what is down the path.
Trust is a major component to faith, because if we cannot trust, we cannot take a step of faith. The more we trust, the more faith we will have next time. On the other side of that coin, it is also true, the more we escape, the easier it is next time to take the easy route.
One of the main ways to trust is to read and memorize the Bible. In doing this, we have tools for when we face trials. We can recall God’s promise and how God has performed in the past. We can get an understanding to know that limitations are not dead ends. Take the story of Joseph in Genesis; when he is sold into slavery or he is imprisoned, these are all part of the plan. Joseph could have taken the easy way out, but trusted God. Stories like this give us hope and courage.
Application Questions #
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What stories in the Bible give you hope?
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What verses have you used to extinguish lies and agreements of less wild lovers?
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What keeps you from trusting what God has for you?
Healing #
Option A - Lies You Accept #
What are the lies that get through your faith on a regular basis? These lies are usually lies that you have accepted for years. Even if it seems small, if it is not what Jesus says, then it is not Truth and you do not need to accept it. Take much time and examine these lies. Sometimes lies are the easy button to just say, “I quit”. Often these lies are comfortable because they seem so true for so long or they are based on truth that you have accepted.
Option B - Agreements And Escapes #
Maybe lies are not your issue, but you know how to escape and take the easy road. It is a feeling that the less wild lovers feel so normal, but you can feel the draw into the wild adventure God has for you. Stepping out in faith and breaking the trend of easy.
Either option A or B, search for the feelings under that urge to believe or escape. Take those feelings back to a time when you first remember feeling them and invite Jesus into that moment. What do you know? What do you want? Ask Jesus anything you want to hear or know about who Jesus wants you to be. Ask for the Truth of who you are. Enjoy that Truth for a while and when you are ready, come back to today. Is that Truth still valid today? Can you accept that Truth?
Healing Questions #
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How does it feel to repair Truth and trust?
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Where does Jesus want to take you on a great adventure?
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What do you need to go deeper?
Going Deeper #
Recall when you were younger and at the pool. Parents set boundaries where you can and cannot swim. When you are young, you have to be able to touch the bottom and stay in the shallow water. You might have longed for the deeper waters. You need to learn to traverse those waters and test your abilities. Maybe a story about how dangerous the waters are either excite you to venture out there or keep you safe in the shallows.
Take some time to memorize verses that encourage you to trust Jesus more. Maybe write them on note cards or build a sign with the verse to put on display. This is a first good step, but then the deeper waters are not to be done alone. Find a group of like-hearted allies to share your struggles with. A group that is locked together forming a wall and has your back covered. Venture out into the wild deep waters and feel the risk, knowing that if you struggle someone is there to help and support you.
I encourage you to find someone to invest into you. Someone you respect as an elder and ask them to meet with you on a regular basis. This person does not need to be older than you, just someone you know has a deep relationship with Jesus. Next, find someone to do this adventure into the deep with. After that, be ready and willing to invest into someone else who is on the same journey.
Jesus asks us to trust him in faith. Recall the following story:
Mark 6:7-13 ESV
7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.1 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet ras a testimony against them.” 12 sSo they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 tAnd they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Deeper Questions #
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What are you willing to risk?
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Where do you need to build more trust?
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Who can you ask to walk with you into the wild adventure Jesus is sending you on?