DIGGING DEEP NO. 1122 February 10, 2026.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
First-Line Defense in the Evil Day
Ephesians 6:10–18
Focus Verse: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” — Ephesians 6:16
LESSON OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
Define the shield of faith according to Scripture and explain why it is called “above all” in Ephesians 6:16.
Identify what the Bible means by “the evil day” and recognize that such seasons are inevitable for believers.
Explain how faith functions as a defensive weapon, not just a belief system.
Recognize common fiery darts of the enemy and understand how faith quenches them.
Describe how faith must be maintained and strengthened through spiritual disciplines.
Apply practical strategies for raising the shield of faith before and during spiritual attacks.
Demonstrate readiness to stand firm after the battle, trusting God rather than reacting in fear.
INTRODUCTION: WHY FAITH IS CALLED “ABOVE ALL”
Paul describes the armor of God, but when he reaches the shield, he pauses and says:
“Above all…”
This phrase means:
Over everything else
In addition to everything else
As the most immediately needed piece in battle
You can have truth, righteousness, and readiness—yet without faith, you cannot stand when the attack begins.
WHAT IS “THE EVIL DAY”?
“That ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” — Ephesians 6:13
The “evil day” is:
A time of intense spiritual pressure
A season of testing, temptation, or persecution
A moment when faith is actively challenged
Examples of evil days:
Job’s sudden loss Job 1
Jesus in Gethsemane Luke 22
The church under persecution Acts 8
The evil day is not constant—but it is inevitable.
THE SHIELD IN ROMAN WARFARE [BACKGROUND]
Paul’s audience understood Roman military gear.
The Roman shield (scutum):
Large covered the entire body
Made of wood, covered with leather
Soaked in oil or water to extinguish flaming arrows
Often used collectively with other soldiers
Faith is not decorative—it is protective, active, and essential.
WHAT IS THE SHIELD OF FAITH?
Faith Defined
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1
Faith is:
Trust in God’s Word
Confidence in God’s character
Dependence on God’s promises
Faith is not denial of reality—it is reliance on God’s truth above reality.
Why Faith Is a Shield
A shield:
Intercepts attacks
Absorbs impact
Prevents direct injury
Proverbs 30:5. “He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED
“quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Fiery darts include:
Fear 2 Timothy 1:7
Doubt James 1:6
Condemnation Revelation 12:10
Temptation Matthew 4
Weariness Galatians 6:9
Deception Matthew 24:4
The enemy attacks the mind and heart first.
WHY FAITH IS FIRST-LINE DEFENSE
Faith is not used after the attack. It is raised before and during the attack.
Examples:
David lifted faith before the stone 1 Samuel 17
Jesus answered Satan with faith-filled Scripture Matthew 4
Abraham believed before the promise manifested Romans 4:20–21
When faith is raised early, attacks lose their power.
HOW FAITH QUENCHES FIRE
Fire is dangerous only when it finds fuel.
Faith: Refuses fear
Rejects lies
Trusts God’s promises
Isaiah 43:2 “When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned…”
Faith does not stop the dart from coming, it stops it from burning.
KEEPING THE SHIELD OILED
A dry shield cracks.
An oiled shield absorbs fire.
Faith is oiled by:
The Word of God Romans 10:17
Prayer and Communion. Jude 20
Obedience. James 2:17
Fellowship. Hebrews 3:13
Faith must be maintained, not assumed.
STANDING AFTER THE ATTACK
“and having done all, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:13
Victory is not:
Falling and rising repeatedly
Panicking under pressure
Victory is:
Still standing
Still believing
Still trusting God
Standing is evidence that the shield worked.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are common “fiery darts” believers face today?
How does faith differ from positive thinking?
What weakens the shield of faith?
How can believers help one another raise their shields together?
What does it mean to “stand” after the evil day?
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Identify areas where your faith has been lowered
Strengthen faith through Scripture and prayer
Refuse to face the evil day unprepared
Keep your shield raised daily—not only in crisis
CLOSING DECLARATION
“I take up the shield of faith.
I quench every fiery dart.
I will stand in the evil day,
and having done all, I will still stand.”