The Armour of God given in Ephesians 6 is so very important. As I was reading it, I noticed how much the shield of faith stood out. It was emphasized with the phrase “Above all” or “In all circumstances”. Here’s a look at a few translations where they all agree on the importance of the shield of faith.  

Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)

¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:16 (AMP)

¹⁶ Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

1. Above All – This statement puts the shield of faith above all and in all circumstances to be used. This phrase highlights and points to its significance.  
2. Shield – Here, the Greek word refers to the large Roman soldiers’ shield designed to protect the entire body. The shield had an iron frame and was covered in several layers of leather. When soaked in water before a battle, the shield could put out the fiery missiles thrown at them by the enemy. What a wonderful shield to have, especially as it’s designed to shelter us from precisely what the evil one has in store for us.
3. Faith – Here, I look at the verses that are cross-referenced to faith here.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? – 1 John 5:4-5

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
⁵⁵ “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”. ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor 15:54-57

Our faith in believing that Jesus is the son of God, knowing and believing who he is and what he came to do for me, what that means for my life and who I am is my shield. Having faith in Jesus, I now belong to God because Jesus paid the price. The victory has already been won on the cross when he died for me. We are given victory over the attacks of the evil one.

When we find ourselves becoming wounded and defeated by the flaming arrows of the evil one, then we should ask ourselves do we have faith that Jesus is who he is? Do we believe that he came for us? Do we believe that we are already saved and so have the victory already? Do we believe in who we are because of Jesus?

4. Flaming arrows – A flaming arrow – a weapon used to destroy and kill. This is what the evil one uses to attack us.

This truth of Jesus can protect me from anything the evil one may try. Peter tells us that he is waiting to devour us like a lion and that we need to resist him firmly in our faith. So, we need to be sure of what we believe.  

⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

How does he devour us? He attacks our minds. He fuels doubts, especially in difficult times. He tells us lies like in the garden, trying to get us to believe them. He tries to undermine our faith in Jesus. He fuels lies about us and lies about others around us. He lures us with the distractions of this world. The things that we consider or used to hold important like money, entertainment and comfort. He uses this to distract us.

So, as Ephesians says, let us put on our shield, that shield that can disintegrate the flaming darts of the evil one. Let us resist him firm in our faith in Jesus Christ and who we are because of him.