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"Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses [strongholds]” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

Early in our marriage I read about home safety. Wanting to be a good husband I acquired a fire extinguisher and placed it in a strategic place where a fire is likely to start such as in the kitchen. For over 40 years it has been ready for service but thankfully never needed. Its last place of readiness was near our coal stove which we gave away earlier this month. So I removed it from that area and since the extinguisher is still full we'll try to find another place for it.

A fire extinguisher is not something you want to use but it's good to have for an emergency. It's kind of like life insurance. I have not regretted that a claim was not needed!

Today let us consider a fire extinguisher that we must use regularly to be an effective Christian,  the shield of faith™ extinguisher that God has provided.

In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul lists the "armor of God" the Christian is to wear daily. He writes this from prison and his fruitful mind is perhaps drawing an illustration as he is observing a prison guard or he recalls the armor of a Roman soldier.

He writes in regard to the armor of God: "Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). Indeed, this extinguisher is vital in fighting the spiritual battles of life. The evil one will be hurling plenty of flaming arrows. And these attacks are persistent and lifelong.

Clarke's commentary suggests, "The fiery darts of the wicked, του πονηρου, or devil, are evil thoughts, and strong injections, as they are termed, which in the unregenerate inflame the passions, and excite the soul to acts of transgression. While the faith is strong in Christ it acts as a shield to quench these. He who walks so as to feel the witness of God's Spirit that he is His child, has all evil thoughts in abhorrence; and, though they pass through his mind, they never fix in his passions. They are caught on this shield, blunted, and extinguished."

We will likely face some flaming arrows today but we are not powerless when we use the shield of faith™ extinguisher that God has provided. Lift up the mighty shield of faith as a powerful defense against the attacks of the enemy from within and without! The shield of faith cannot be pierced by Satan's flaming arrows no matter the venom, speed, or frequency with which he discharges them. Let us be filled with the Spirit of God so that we extinguish the enemy's fire!

Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13

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