Shielding from the Arrows
The last day or so, I have been struggling. Struggling with my mind and heart, but I was not able to identify why I was struggling. In the battle for sleep last night, God impressed upon me the why: flaming arrows.
Flaming Arrows
Ephesians 6:10-18 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. The imagery provides a tangible look at how to protect ourselves from the enemy, from the spiritual warfare he wages against us. Paul’s use of Roman battle and soldiers’ armor allowed recipients at the time of Paul’s letter to grasp the message he was sharing fully. For example, archaeologists report that in ancient warfare, javelins with a flammable tip were set on fire and thrown, so they could both hurt and burn the fighter or his environment. Other types of javelins had hollow heads that were filled with something, lit on fire, and thrown into the enemy's lines in the same way. Paul mostly likely only mentioned these burning darts because he thought they were the most powerful attacking weapons he had ever heard of at the time.
Today is no different. These fiery arrows are still detrimental. While they make look different and have evolved from the time of Paul, the enemy still uses them. Therefore, we would be wise in recognizing that the arrows are still coming, and, secondly, we still need our shield along with all the armor to protect ourselves from the arrows.
What are the Arrows?
For each of us the fiery arrows the enemy decides to employ can look different. The way the enemy attacks me may be different than how he attacks you; however, do not be mistaken. He will attack.
The enemy often uses my soul wounds as a target. Soul wounds such as not feeling good enough, feeling as though I need to prove myself or my worth are often where his arrows land. This is what God allowed me to understand as I wrestled for sleep. My soul wounds had been pierced. Once I identify that, I prayed God’s protection over my heart and mind and asked God to help me wear the armor well so I could withstand the enemy’s attack and find the rest I needed.
For others, the fiery darts may be rejection, abandonment, fear, self-doubt, and more. The enemy lines up his arrows and shoots the fiery flame placing contact in our most vulnerable areas. It may be the mind, heart, relationships, work, or other areas. The key is knowing that it can, and eventually, will happen. Therefore, preparing for these arrows to come is necessary.
The Shield
Make no mistake, all the armor Paul describes is necessary for protection against the enemy’s schemes. When he’s not shooting fiery arrows, he’s finding other ways to harm us. Therefore, it is imperative we wear the armor fully from head to toe. However, the shield was the is what we use most when in battle against an enemy’s fiery arrows.
Historians assess that two types of shields were used in ancient warfare: a small one that was carried on the arm and could be used to defend specific parts of the body that were in danger with a movement of the arm; additionally, a large one that was planted in front of the soldier, fixed in the ground, and nearly covered his entire body. The term used to describe this shield makes it obvious that the second kind is what is being discussed in Ephesians 6:16. This term, which is related to the Greek word for "door," provides a general idea of how the defensive tool would appear—a large rectangle behind which a man may remain unharmed and unreachable. According to Paul, it is the kind of shield we should have—not a small defense that could save a small area of ourselves, but a massive wall that provides teh most protection.
I admit I have not been using the right shield or using it properly. It is easy for any of us to be in the hustle and bustle of life and believe that we are doing just fine. We let our defenses down. Maybe we spend less time in prayer or in God’s word. Maybe we become more consumed with doing than being still and hearing from God. The enemy sees this and goes on the attack. Our shields are down and the next thing we know we are scrambling to fight back.
However, sometimes we are doing all the things we need to do to be prepared, and the enemy’s darts simply find a “kink” in our armor. Yet, if we are prepared, we can extinguish the flaming arrow before it does damage. We can stand strong knowing the battle belongs to the Lord.
Shielding from the Arrows
It is impossible for us to predict all the ways the enemy will hurl arrows our way. However, we can still be prepared for when the arrows do come. Below are three ways, we can protect ourselves from the enemy’s tactics
1) Know God
Knowing God, his heart, and his ways are the most important portion of the shield of protection that we have. If I do not know the Lord, I cannot know the enemy’s weakness and engage in battle.
Romans 10:13 reminds us that all those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. When we know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, He covers us in his protection. He provides us the strength we need to stand against the enemy (Eph. 6:10; Psalm 59:16), awareness to know when the enemy is attacking (2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:12), and knowing the one who is in us is greater than the enemy and his schemes (1 John 4:4; John 10:10). But all this occurs when we know the Lord as our Savior.
2) God’s word
1 Peter 5:8 reminds us that the enemy is very active and “prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour.” He is waiting to take us down. To withstand his attacks, we need the word of God to cover us. Remember that the shield mentioned in Ephesians 6 is one that covers the soldier’s whole body. That is the word of God for us!
We can claim in Jesus’ name through truths his word offers. I am a believer in praying scripture. When I feel the arrows coming my way, I remind myself and the enemy that the battle is the Lord’s (1 Sam. 17:47), God covers me (Psalm 91), God is my strength and refuge (Psalm 46:1), and I am the Lord’s and no one can snatch me from His hand (John 10:29). Additionally, I pray Ephesians 6 over myself. I ask the Lord to help me put on each piece and to use those pieces properly!
There are many more scriptures that can be employed to battle the enemy. The only way you will find what you need is to be invested in God’s word. Hide his word in your heart and you will be able to withstand the enemy’s attacks.
3) Prayer
Some of the greatest battles we will fight will be on our knees. Prayer is another portion of the shield we simply cannot be without. If we want to extinguish the fiery flames flung our way, prayer is the wind that will deny entrance.
Scripture is full of noting the power of prayer. We can pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:16-18) knowing God hears our every breath (1 John 5:15). We can state our worries, needs, fears, and hurts to God (Phil. 4:6) and, when we feel we do not have words to pray, the Spirit will intercede on our behalf (Romans 8:26). We can be steadfast in prayer (Col. 4:2) knowing God is our strength in the battle before us (Phil. 4:13; Isaiah 41:10).
God hears every word that falls from our lips and hearts. Even when we feel we have no breath left, he hears the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. He is Emmanuel: God with us!
Final thoughts
The enemy is crafty. He’s got eternity to figure out ways to attempt to defeat to us. Some days will be easier than others to see his schemes. However, when we know God, dive into his word, and speak with God daily, we can be more attune to God’s strength and the enemy’s ways. It is through these moments, we can remind the enemy, the battle is already won (1 John 5:4; John 16:33).