Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16).
It’s the shield of faith that quenches all the fiery darts that the enemy throws at you. We need to remind ourselves regularly that we don’t wrestle against human challengers, but against the demonic forces of Satan. Satan has a legal right to rule over those who do not know Jesus. Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God (Ephesians 2:1-2 -NLT).
Satan will also assert his influence over believers who don’t know and act on the Word. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith (1 Peter 5:8-9 -NLT).
We must remember that Satan, along with his demonic forces called principalities, powers, and the spiritual wickedness in high places, have already been defeated for us by Jesus. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross (Colossians 2:13-15-NLT).
And, Jesus has given us authority over every single one of the demonic forces that seek to hinder life in some way. Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-19 -NLT). Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions (demons and evil spirits) and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven (Luke 10:19-20-NLT).
Though defeated, Satan still has the ability to put a thought in your mind and place a feeling on your body. But he can’t touch you if you make a decision to live by the Word of God! When thoughts come that disagree with the Word, refuse to think them. When feelings come that disagree with the Word, don’t live by them. Our authority over Satan and his emissaries comes by walking by faith in the Word of God. When we live and act as though God’s words to us are true, we can live above the attacks Satan and his minions bring to our minds and bodies.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded over and over again with it is written. And that’s the way we’re to deal with the devil today. Believing, thinking, and speaking the Word of God gives us the ability to live above Satan’s attacks!
When thoughts of doubt and fear come, respond with it is written. When feelings of sickness attack, respond with it is written. With His stripes I believe I am healed. According to the Word of God, I believe I receive healing according to Mark 11:24! When circumstances seem unrelenting and defeat seems inevitable, respond with it is written! Say out loud what God’s Word says! Say, If God is for me, who can successfully defeat me (Romans 8:31). Say, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me (Romans 8:37). Say, I am not looking at the things that are seen, but at the things that are unseen, the Word of God (2 Corinthians 4:18). Say, God says that the righteous have many challenges and they overcome every one of them (Psalm 34:19). Say, I will come through this challenge bigger, better, stronger, and wiser than I was before!
This is how we stand with the shield of faith and resist the challenges that come our way. It’s the way Jesus responded to life’s challenges that faced Him, and it’s how we respond today.
The victory that overcomes the world is our faith. And faith is acting on and speaking the Word of God in the face of negative circumstances. Act on God’s Word in every area of life today. Refuse to dwell on the negative thoughts that come. Act on God’s Word in spite of feelings that tell you you’re not going to make it. Greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world! Say what God says about you in His Word and refuse to listen and act on the feelings that come to hinder you. Remember that all things are possible with God, and all things are possible to him who believes!