Faith is a shield

Ephesians 6:16  In addition to this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
    
Genesis 15:1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward."
    
Proverbs 30:5  "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."

God is our shield when the enemy comes against us in our most vulnerable places.  Satan knows the areas that we can be attacked.  He knows the areas that we have the least strength to fight him.  Those can be habits, attitudes, trials, temptations or desires.  Satan is sure to sneak attack us in those points of weakness.  He doesn't come at us in a straight out attack, he simply offers excuses why it is alright to do the things we shouldn't.
    
The enemy knows just the right time to place temptation in
our path.  He knows our weaknesses and our failures.  He whispers in our ear thoughts and encourages us to rely on emotions rather than facts.  He offers us lies and distortions of God's word.
    
He distracted Eve by making her question God's word.  He
twists God's word just a little so that we aren't sure what is true and what is not true.  "Did God really say?"  "Would God make you go through this if He really loved you?"  "You can't do that, why would you  even want to try?"  "God doesn't have time for you right now"  "You aren't smart enough, pretty enough, talented enough, etc."
    
When we saturate ourselves in God's word, we can know
the truth and the truth can set us free.  We can see through the lies of the enemy and and counter his attacks with the truth.  We can learn to use our shield of faith to block the fiery darts of lies and condemnation that the enemy slings in our direction.
    
We will always be tempted and challenged in this life but
that does not mean we have to give in to the temptations placed in our path.  It does mean we have an advocate in Christ Jesus.  He stands in the gap for us, interceding with the Father for us.  He took on Himself our sins and paid our debt so that we are forgiven, then adopted us into His family.  He said we are no longer to be called His servants, but His friends.
    
2 Samuel 22:2,3  He said: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress
and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.  He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my savior, from violent men You save me."
   
If we run to Him when temptation raises it's ugly head, He
is faithful to protect us.  He can shield us from the attacks so that we can stand victorious in Him.  He will not keep us from temptation, He will stand with us, however, so that we can be strong in His power and resist the enemy.  His word tells us that is when the enemy will flee from us.  Rejoice in His protection and love and become familiar with His word. He honors those who know Him and call on Him in times of
need and rejoicing.

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