ABOVE ALL, TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH.

SERIES: THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS.

TEXT: EPHESIANS 6:16

 

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen-Heb. 11:1. Nothing is impossible to the person who believes-Mark 9:23.

The importance of faith is obvious in the scriptures-even to a casual reader. It is our acceptance before God and to our eternal destiny. You will make it to heaven because of your faith in God. Trusting God is giving credit to His integrity. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness-Gen. 15:6.

Faith has an object-God. We do not believe in faith but we believe in God. Worldly faith has faith has faith as the object. Christian faith must have God ads the object.

Things that are seen were made from materials that are not seen. God calls things that are not as though they are-Rom. 4:17, and nothing is impossible with Him.

Faith is not a creature of the New Testament, the people of old received their commendations-Heb. 1:2 due to their faith in God.

Faith is the lowest common denominator of the learned and the unlearned believer.

Faith is illogical, does not make sense and is not backed by philosophy. Many times things of faith do not make sense. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God-1st Cor. 3:19.

In the armor of God there is this important piece of the armor, called faith. A shield is the most widespread defensive weapon in war. It protects the warrior from death; from the arrows/bullets of the enemy. Without the shield the soldier will be easily killed by the enemy. More about the shield of faith:-

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD-Heb. 11:6.

• God can be pleased and God can be displeased. God declared righteousness on Abraham because Abraham believed in God.
• Trusting God, having faith on Him touches on the integrity of God. Not trusting God questions His integrity of God; its like mockery to God.
• Trusting in God works wonders in the christian faith; Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego believed that God rescue them from the fire and He did. David believed that the God who helped him kill the bear and the lion would help him kill the giant Goliath with a stone and God did it.
• Faith in God is what keeps the believer smiling in the wilderness of life.
• For those who trust God, God is not ashamed to be their God-Hebrews 11:16. Conversely, God is ashamed to be God of people who cannot trust in Him.
• Faith is that which overcomes the world-1st John 5:4-5. The “world” is not a friend to the believer but an enemy. Satan and the world jointly war against the believer. Moving in faith defeats the   “world” and satan.

WHAT MAKES FAITH TO GROW.

• That which you feed grows. If you feed your faith it will grow.
• Faith comes by hearing the word of God-Romans 10:17. A believer who is always hearing from God has an ever growing faith. Faith does not come from hearing philosophy of the world.
• Even a little faith, the size of a mustard seed moves mountains-dare to believe what God has promised in the Bible-Matt. 17:20.
• The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy-Rev. 19:9. When others testify what Jesus has done for them they are also prophesying to your future about what He will do for you’ encourage yourself from the testimonies you have heard from other believers. What the Lord does for one He will do for others.
• Ask God for more faith-1st Cor. 12:9, there is usual faith that is gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Surround yourself with people of faith. Show me your friends and I will show you your future. You are the average of the people you spend most time with.
• Read great books written by men and women of faith. Paul was a great reader. He tells Timothy, “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books and above all the parchments”-2nd Timothy 4:13.

WHAT KILLS FAITH.

• Surrounding yourself with worldly people. Worldly philosophies have ingredients of the enemy and they will help to weaken your faith. Worldly people have verses not found in the Bible.
• Living by sight. Don’t believe everything you see or feel. We do not walk by sight in the christian journey-2nd Cor. 5:7.
• Fear, worry, doubt and a double mind-James 1:8.
• Weak prayer life; a Kiswahili song says “wana imani wale waombao.” A prayerless person never has strong faith. A man with little faith prayed to Jesus Christ “Lord, I believe, help my unbelieve”-Mark 9:23-25.

CONCLUSION

• Faith is the difference that causes in two people, having the same great trials; one leaves God to go and consult witchdoctors whereas the other stays focused on God and trusts that God is still with him/her.
• With faith you are able to quench ALL the firely arrows/bullets that satan will direct to your life-Eph. 6:16.