By Josie Siler
I have a confession to make. I like war movies. Before you think I’m a horrible person and an even more horrible Christian for enjoying movies where people kill each other, let me explain. War movies are epic battles between good and evil, light and darkness. It’s no coincidence that in old cowboy movies the good guy always wore the white hat and the bad guy wore the black hat. It is thrilling to watch the battle play out, and in the end, have good conquer evil. These movies tug on our emotions because we all want to be free from something. We want to have victory and see justice win and evil put in its place of shame and defeat.
I think the reason I like war movies so much is because it reminds me of the spiritual battle that is raging in the heavenly realms. It reminds me that good ultimately will overtake evil once and for all in the end. It reminds me that I too have something to fight for. We all do. In Ephesians 6, we find everything we need for the battle at hand. We are given the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and shoes to shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
God has also given us the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:16 says, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one….” Flaming darts can also be translated as javelin, pointed weapon, arrow, or missile. This is some serious ammunition the Devil is throwing at us. However, we are protected by our shield of faith.
I have a confession to make. I like war movies. Before you think I’m a horrible person and an even more horrible Christian for enjoying movies where people kill each other, let me explain. War movies are epic battles between good and evil, light and darkness. It’s no coincidence that in old cowboy movies the good guy always wore the white hat and the bad guy wore the black hat. It is thrilling to watch the battle play out, and in the end, have good conquer evil. These movies tug on our emotions because we all want to be free from something. We want to have victory and see justice win and evil put in its place of shame and defeat.
I think the reason I like war movies so much is because it reminds me of the spiritual battle that is raging in the heavenly realms. It reminds me that good ultimately will overtake evil once and for all in the end. It reminds me that I too have something to fight for. We all do. In Ephesians 6, we find everything we need for the battle at hand. We are given the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and shoes to shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
God has also given us the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:16 says, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one….” Flaming darts can also be translated as javelin, pointed weapon, arrow, or missile. This is some serious ammunition the Devil is throwing at us. However, we are protected by our shield of faith.
Faith can be difficult, especially when we are under attack. However, even a small amount of faith can do great things. Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 17:20 “…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Mustard seeds are incredibly small, yet they grow to good-sized trees. All we need is a little bit of faith to start with and God will make it grow.
When the Devil attacks, we hold up our shield of faith and his flaming arrows are extinguished. We do this by remembering who God is and why we love Him. We have faith not in ourselves, but in the God of all creation who sent His Son to be a ransom for our sins. It is this God in whom we have faith. It is this God we ask God to help us. Lysa TerKeurst puts it well when she says…
When the Devil attacks, we hold up our shield of faith and his flaming arrows are extinguished. We do this by remembering who God is and why we love Him. We have faith not in ourselves, but in the God of all creation who sent His Son to be a ransom for our sins. It is this God in whom we have faith. It is this God we ask God to help us. Lysa TerKeurst puts it well when she says…
In the midst of your struggles - pray… whispers of love, hope, courage, and need… back and forth from your heart to Jesus.
“I need help.”
And Jesus whispers, “I am your strength and your ever present help.” (Psalm 46:1)
“This situation makes me afraid. Comfort me.”
And Jesus whispers, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. I am with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“I love you. Help me see your love today.”
And Jesus whispers, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
“Give me the courage to do this in your name.”
And Jesus whispers, “Nothing shall separate us.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Like any battle, victory sometimes comes in numbers. In times when our faith is small God gives us the faith of friends to help us through. Roman soldiers had this down to a science. Even their armor was designed to work as one.
When the Roman army went into battle they developed a strategy called, ’Testudo’ (it became known as the, ‘Tortoise’). The command, ‘As One’ was given and each soldier would stand with his shield overlapping the shield of the soldier next to him. Thus producing a near impregnable unit and a battle formation that crushed the front lines of the enemy forcing them to break rank; this unity of locking shields as one won many battles. -Peter Wilson¹
When you are being attacked by the Devil, you don’t have to fight alone. If Roman soldiers were “as one” how much more are those of us who are one in Christ? “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27-28).” In unity we will have victory. By faith we will extinguish every flaming missile the Devil sends our way.
If you are being attacked by the Devil, hold up your shield of faith. Ask God to protect and defend you. Call, email, or text a friend and let them know you need help fighting the good fight today. You are an overcomer. Victory is yours because victory is the Lord’s!
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” -1 John 5:4
© July 17, 2013
¹http://peterwilsonministries.org/blog/?p=559
When the Roman army went into battle they developed a strategy called, ’Testudo’ (it became known as the, ‘Tortoise’). The command, ‘As One’ was given and each soldier would stand with his shield overlapping the shield of the soldier next to him. Thus producing a near impregnable unit and a battle formation that crushed the front lines of the enemy forcing them to break rank; this unity of locking shields as one won many battles. -Peter Wilson¹
When you are being attacked by the Devil, you don’t have to fight alone. If Roman soldiers were “as one” how much more are those of us who are one in Christ? “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27-28).” In unity we will have victory. By faith we will extinguish every flaming missile the Devil sends our way.
If you are being attacked by the Devil, hold up your shield of faith. Ask God to protect and defend you. Call, email, or text a friend and let them know you need help fighting the good fight today. You are an overcomer. Victory is yours because victory is the Lord’s!
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” -1 John 5:4
© July 17, 2013
¹http://peterwilsonministries.org/blog/?p=559
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