Ephesians 6:16
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Intercession is a call to stand in the gap on behalf of people, representing others; but in the course of saving others, we can lose ourselves, lose our soul, or get ourselves hurt if we are not well equipped.
Luke 9:25
“For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?”
It is never the intent of God that in the course of saving others, we lose our soul. To serve as intercessors, we need knowledge of the proper equipment for delivering our assignment.
As Soldiers on assignment, God has made available for us the equipment needed, as explained in Ephesians 6:10-18:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Belt of truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of salvation, Sword of the Spirit. But I notice God emphasising ‘the shield of faith’
“Above all”…telling us that no matter the weapon you are using, above all, put on the shield of Faith.
IMPORTANCE OF SHIELD OF FAITH
Ephesians 6:16
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
1) IT QUENCHES: The Bible says the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; they are thoughts, high things, and imaginations that the devil throws at us when praying, and this battle occurs in our mind always.
II Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Satan targets the mind of the intercessor not to believe in the prayer they are praying, to doubt if God will hear, has heard, or how long it will take for God to answer, or even make you doubt your righteousness in Christ, but when you take the shield of faith, the battle will be won. For instance, you are before God praying for someone and the devil starts reminding you of your past and faults; if care is not taken, you will leave God’s presence with guilt and self-condemnation more than when you came. It is not enough to know that you have the shield of faith; ‘TAKE IT’; guard your heart with it. The Shield of Faith quenches fiery darts of the enemy so the arrow does not get to you.
- It quenches doubt of the existence of God; remember, without faith, no one can see the Lord.
- It quenches darts of self-guilt and condemnation. You are qualified to stand for others before God.
Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:33-34.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
2) COVER: The shield of Faith covers an intercessor. You become invisible to the enemy. What the enemy sees is your fiery and unwavering Faith in God. Don’t be coverless: exposed to any thought, imagination, or high things. The Shield of Faith makes you invisible and God visible. It makes you play the role of behind the scenes while praying.
3) IT MAKES YOU ABLE:
Ephesians 6:16.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Have you ever attempted an assignment with inability, not fully equipped or prepared? You will notice you lack confidence, become fearful, or even perform less than expectations. The same thing goes for an intercessor who does not take the Shield of Faith; you will NOT BE ABLE. The Bible says above all take the Shield so that you will be able. You feel complete, up to the task, and deliver excellently.
HOW DO WE TAKE OUR SHIELD OF FAITH?
1) BIBLE STUDY: Faith comes by hearing God’s word.
Romans 10:17.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
You can’t take the shield of Faith when you don’t know the word as an intercessor. How many scriptures are in your heart as an intercessor?
You don’t win thought with thought; you win fiery darts of thoughts and imagination with the word of God.
Luke 4:4
“And Jesus answered him, saying, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God”
The devil threw darts against Jesus, and he kept lifting the shield by saying It is written. It’s time to dig deeper into the word so that you can be able!
2) ENGAGE THE WORD: Just like I said, you should not just have the word; engage it, take it, use it. The Bible says, “taking the shield of faith”. When the devil throws thoughts and imaginations at you during intercession, speak the word!
3) PRAY WITH THE WORD: The word you know and you don’t pray with cannot empower your soul. It’s like you have fuel in your generator and you don’t kick-start it. Prayer converts, it empowers, it turns. Don’t just quote the word like quotable quotes; pray with it!
I hope you have been blessed by this message.
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God bless you!
