Shields of Faith

We cannot use the spiritual armour in isolation. The Shield of Faith described in Ephesians is oblong like the shields used by riot police. Roman soldiers could form a line and lock their shields together in a continuous barrier. If one was attacked, the others did not watch and criticise (as often happens when a Christian gets sick), they joined together to protect him against the attack. When they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with shields in place, they could withstand a torrent of arrows and spears.

We must learn how to stand together with Christians to resist attacks of sickness. This level of solidarity does not come automatically by being part of a church, but by being in strong relationships with other Christians, who know us enough to understand the nature of the attack and love us enough to stand with us.

The shield of faith cannot cover our backs. The spiritual armour is only effective, if we are standing together in unity with other believers.