This verse is in context within a passage in Ephesians 6:13-18. It’s reference is to the whole armor of God, and includes seven things. They are (1) the covering for the loins, out of which comes life’s truth; (2) the breastplate of righteousness which guards the heart; (3) proper footwear which protects our feet, our walk; (4) the shield of faith; (5) the helmet of salvation; (6) the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God; and (7) prayer. But I would have us focus on the shield of faith.

          Verse 11 speaks of the schemes or wiles or the devil. It is interesting to note that the Greek word for wiles or schemes is methodeia from which we get our English word method. It is interesting to note that the focus of our enemy, the devil, is on establishing his domain of darkness called the course of this world[1]. He is referred to as the “god of this world”[2], and his design is to thwart the reconciliation of mankind to the Eternal God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. He desires that men worship him rather than God. He wants to be god above all else.

There are ‘no holds barred’ in this conflict. The devil will use anything and everything to keep men from knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ. Contrary to much public, even religious opinion, he will even use reputable, good things to divert our lives from eternal redemption. Much philanthropy is practiced in order to merit some standing with God. Religion abounds with ‘good works’ and is supposed to give justification for approval of a life of bliss in eternity. Such drivel as ‘there is only one God and all religions are really seeking him’, is used by the god of this world to compromise mankind’s knowledge of Jesus Christ, Who is Truth Himself.

But God has given us the faith of[3], and in His Son to thwart and defeat the enemy. The ground of our redemption is Christ’s blood, the blood of the new covenant. Our Lord Jesus made this plain to His disciples at the last supper, when He said,

(Mat 26:28 KJV)  "For this is my blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

If this is true, and it most certainly is, then there must be something which grants us the ability and grace to share in this new covenant. And praise God, there is! Hebrews 11:6 makes this statement.

(Heb 11:6 KJV)  “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

          This passage reveals the fundamental issue of faith. There is no relationship with God, nor fellowship with Him apart from faith. It is simply impossible to please Him without it. So then, what has our gracious God given us to be able to stand on this ground of the new covenant.

Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition.

(Heb 11:1 KJV)  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

In Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament, he gives us some tremendous insight into the meaning of faith. In his research he established this definition of Hebrews 11:1.

'Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen.

Watchman Nee takes us further when he said ‘proving’ would mean substantiating.

Let’s put these two together and drink in it’s sweet spiritual nectar.

Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for, the substantiating of things not seen.

          No, I do not believe I have done violence to the Scripture! It has clarified this for me, given me far more understanding of it’s meaning. Faith is that by which we stand on the ground of the blood of the new covenant. His new covenant is a perfect work. There is nothing that can negate it and nothing that can make it better or more glorious. It is a perfect, finished work.

          Faith is believing in the fidelity, the integrity of His finished work, and by that faith being able to quench the fiery darts of the devil. Furthermore, faith, believing God, is the act of righteousness according to the Word.

(Rom 4:3)  “for what does the scripture say? "and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned {imputed, counted - author) to him as righteousness."

You see, it was the believing that God counted as righteousness in Abraham. I do not believe righteousness comes merely by what we believe for, but in the believing itself, or believing God. Receiving the answer is the fruit of our faith, not faith itself.

          Another example is found in Ephesians 2:8.

(Eph 2:8 NASB)  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;…”

Salvation itself is the fruit of faith which comes by the grace of God, and the Scripture makes it clear when it declares in Ephesians 2:9,

(Eph 2:9)  “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

         But let us get this into perspective. According to this Scripture, what are the the fiery darts and where are they aimed? They go back to the beginning, when the serpent asked Eve “hath God said?” “Has God really saved me? Do all things really work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose? Will God really provide for me in my greatest need? Does God really forgive sin? Can God really cleanse me from all unrighteousness? Does God really love me?  Why does He let me stay in a miserable place when I really need out?” Can God really relieve the pain in my heart? Does God really heal sickness and disease?’

                   Scripture declares also that faith quenches, or extinguishes these fiery darts. Evidently, the fiery darts are designed by the enemy to burn up, destroy our faith. But faith is our shield, our defense against them. There is not one fiery dart that can penetrate our shield of faith.

          It seems to be a great problem with most Christians, that when an adverse circumstance comes, we revert to our mind and try to figure out how we’re going to handle it. But we must know that true faith transcends human wisdom and touches the eternal, the wisdom of God.

          Let us ask ourselves another question . Does God let these things happen? I am persuaded that nothing can take place in our lives without His permission or His direction. But there is also another great truth the Scripture reveals.

(1 Pet 1:7 NASB)  “that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;…”

If our faith were never tested, it could never be proven as this verse points out. God is looking for proven faith, for faith is what pleases Him.

          I would point out another thing. God rewards true faith, and the ultimate reward of our faith is knowing Him. If He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, then it is evident the reward is God Himself, and knowing Him.

I would close this treatise with one of the greatest motivational passages for a sincere faith in all the Word. It is a lengthy passage, but nothing can compliment these pages more than this. It is Romans 8:26-39.

(Rom 8:26-39)  “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

{27} and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

{28} And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

{29} For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;

{30} and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

{31} What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

{32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

{33} Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

{34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

{35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

{36} Just as it is written, "for thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

{37} But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

{38} For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

{39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.