Activating and Exercising Our Faith

 A shield is designed to protect us from an obvious enemy or something elusive and indefinable. The apostle Paul instructs us to put on the shield of faith to protect against the fiery darts of Satan, who will steal the joy and commitment that binds us to Christ.

Faith fuels determination to stand against all that would attack your faith. Pope John Paul II underlined the seriousness faith plays in the Christian’s life. "How can we profess faith in God and then refuse to let it inspire our thinking, our responsibilities to one another as well as guard against self-centeredness?"

The Holy Spirit inspires us to keep our faith active by being alert for opportunities to use it not only as a guard against evil but as a witness to the presence of Christ in our life. For faith to be strong it’s necessary for it to be exercised daily. By declaring our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and living by that faith, it grows in personal strength and influence on others.                       

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In conclusion, be strong – not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless strength. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s craftiness…Therefore you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power…Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you.

~Ephesians 6:10-16 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Facing Evil: Choosing Survival - Part 2

Evil does not occur by happenstance. Evil is a deliberate power force  whose mission is to possess and destroy anyone who submits to its enticements. Anton Chekhov wrote in 1887 that "evil passions are as inherent in life as are good ones." Those who close their eyes and ears to evil do not distract from its penetration or its grasp on people.

The Irish politician Edmund Burke wrote, "It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph." Surviving and defeating evil takes courage, courage to put on the armor of God to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. The shield of faith which God provides for you deflects Satan's evil darts that he hurls your way.

The shield of faith proves that God stands with you against Satan, which is affirmed by 1 John 4:4: "Greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world." The shield of faith enables you to reject evil thoughts and impulses by petitioning Christ Jesus to intervene on your behalf. This choice saves you from hurt and suffering. God bless you as you face this challenge.