1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Living in Faith Review
The importance of the shield of faith emphasis is emphasized – Eph. 6:16
The shield was large & used by the infantry to form a wall of protection
Faith is central to both the Christian life and the other pieces of armor

3. Living in Faith Review
Truth is worthless if you will not believe it to trust it and live by it
You cannot be righteous before God except by faith – Rom. 3:28; 4:5, Gal. 2:16
You cannot have peace with God except by faith – Isaiah 26:3

4. Living in Faith Review
By the shield of faith you extinguish the flaming missiles of the evil one
Faith, belief and trust are inter-related. You cannot have one without the others
Biblical faith in Jesus Christ means both believing the facts about Him and trusting His promises

5. Living in Faith Review
A profession of faith without corresponding trust proves false the claim to belief.
The shield of faith refers to the faith required for daily Christian life in walking with God

6. Living in Faith Introduction
Three major targets for the devil’s flaming arrows.
Holiness - Ephesians 1:4
Service - Ephesians 2:10
Unity - Ephesians 4:1-6

7. Flaming arrows aimed at Holy Living Discouragement
Satan want to get you to give up the struggle for holiness
God has already changed us Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10
It is a normal part of the Christian life to struggle against sin - Romans 7:14-25

8. Flaming arrows aimed at Holy Living Discouragement
The continuing struggle against sin demonstrates the Holy Spirit is still at work in your life.
The prosperity of the wicked contrasted with your own life can discourage
Psalm 73 - envy of the wicked is corrected by remembering the truth of God’s word and their end

9. Flaming arrows aimed at Holy Living Pride
Satan’s effort to get you to think you have already achieved what is needed
One extreme - the person who thinks they no longer or very rarely sins. (See 1 John 1:8, 10)
More common is the complacency that arises from comparing themselves to others in greater sin.

10. Flaming arrows aimed at Holy Living Pride
It is by faith that we understand what is truly important and what is not
Jesus Christ is the only true standard for comparison
By faith I refrain from sin’s temptations and pursue holiness

11. Flaming arrows aimed at Serving the Lord Discouragement
You are not good enough to serve the Lord
By faith I understand that serving the Lord is doing what He asks, not what I think I can do
By faith I rejoice when other people minister better than me

12. Flaming arrows aimed at Serving the Lord Pride
Success all depends upon you
By faith I strive to be steadfast and follow God’s wisdom instead of man’s and leave success in His hands
By faith I serve the Lord as He asks & trust Him to use it to glorify Himself

13. Flaming arrows aimed at Unity Division over Pettiness
Pride leads to division over issues of little significance
Everyone in the body is needed, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and is to be humble
I must trust God can and will use other people even when they do it differently than I would.

14. Flaming arrows aimed at Unity Division over Pettiness
Division caused by pettiness is a travesty bringing shame on Christ
Division in order to multiply missions is good.
Separation from apostasy is required (Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

15. Flaming arrows aimed Unity False Unity
False unity is based on feelings & facade instead of truth
Many groups name Jesus, but their Jesus is not the same one as described in the Bible.
True unity in the church can only be based in common doctrine – Eph. 4:1-16

16. Flaming arrows aimed Unity False Unity
Cooperation can be given to all who agree to the fundamental doctrines, but none with those who do not
By faith I hold to Biblical truth and walk in humility enjoying the precious fellowship of those who share that faith.

17. Conclusions
When each believer takes up his shield of faith, a wall of protection is given to all - Ephesians 4:11-16

18. Do you believe God’s word or the wisdom of men?
Is Your Shield Up?
Do you believe God’s word or the wisdom of men?
Do you trust God’s promises or your own abilities?
Do you walk by faith or by sight?

19. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ