A Shield Against Satan A SHIELD AGAINST SATAN B8-11-5A II. FAITH IS OUR SHIELD AGAINST SATAN Ep. 6:16, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, A. 1 Tim. 1:18-19, “War a good warfare; Holding wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts faith, and a good conscience” of the wicked.” B. 1 Tim. 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith” C. Heb. 10:22, “Draw near with a true heart in CENTRAL TRUTH: Faith in God is our shield against Satan. full assurance of faith” D. 1 Thes. 5:8, “Let us…be sober, putting on the INTRODUCTION: breastplate of faith and love;” A. For the past three weeks, “Knowing the mind of E. Gen. 15:1, “I am thy shield” Satan” – ie., understanding what he is up to. B. His plan is to dethrone God III. THE DARTS REMAIN–THE FIRE IS TAKEN OUT 1. Destroy God’s creation A. The word “quench” means to “put out the fire” 2. Wreck God’s plan for communion with man B. The adjective form in the Greek is “ASBESTOS,” C. Now, we must shield against his devices or an insulation against the fire: 1. Ps. 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” I. SATAN IS CASTING FIERY DARTS AT CHRISTIANS 2. Is. 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect A. The “fiery” darts are “fire-tipped” – deadly peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because B. 1 Pet. 4:12, “Think it not strange concerning he trusteth in thee.” the fiery trial which is to try you…” C. We are not immune to trouble–but we are immune C. We face suffering and pain every day–2 Co 4:7 to the fire “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that D. Ps. 29:11, “The Lord will give strength unto the excellency of the power may be of God, and his people” not of us. (8) We are TROUBLED on every side, E. 1 Jn. 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and yet NOT DISTRESSED; we are PERPLEXED but NOT IN have overcome them: because greater is he that DISPAIR; (9) PERSECUTED, but NOT FORSAKEN; CAST is in you, than he that is in the world.” DOWN, but NOT DESTROYED; (10) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, SUMMARY: that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in A. Satan and his cohorts are trying to destroy you our body. (11) For we which live are always B. Faith in God is your only shield against Satan delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the C. Remember that only the fire is stopped life also of Jesus might be made manifest in D. 1 Co. 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith” our mortal flesh” D. Remember that SATAN brings pain & destruction E. 1 Pet. 5:8-10, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; (9) Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (10) But the God of all grace…after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
Much sickness – physical, mental, and emotional – surely must come from disobedience. When the soul is confronted with an alternative of right or wrong and chooses to blur the distinction, making excuses for its bewilderment and frustration, it is exposed to infection. Evil is given the opportunity to invade the mind, the spirit, and the body and the sick person goes off to an expert who will diagnose his trouble. Sometimes the patient knows well what his trouble is and for this very reason has not consulted the Lord, fearing what He will say: Confess. Turn around. Quit that indulgence. Do not pity yourself. Forgive that person. Pay back what you owe. Apologize. Tell the truth. Deny yourself. Consider the other’s well-being. Lay down your life.
Elisabeth Elliot