Fighting Fire

Ephesians 6:13-17  CSB

“For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.”

The ability to see in adverse conditions is necessary. It’s critical that we don’t get lost or trapped and can locate our victim. It’s also vital that we protect our eyes as there are plenty of threats.

Firefighters are equipped with both a resilient polycarbonate face mask when we are on air and a drop-down safety visor to shield our eyes when we are using tools and in harsh environments.

Advantages of the Gear

The face shields that firefighters wear offer resilient face and eye protection from contaminants and projectiles. We operate a variety of saws cutting a variety of materials, often in close quarters, which presents the danger of sparks and debris to the face. We operate inside structures that are burning and smoke, falling ash, and even explosions are a real threat.

One of the cool features of the eye shield is that it is built into the helmet, so it’s always handy and ready. There’s no reason to not deploy the eye shields when there’s a danger. When you’re on air, the SCBA mask’s shield is offering full-face protection already.

The eye shields allow us to have clear sight in the harshest conditions. We can see a path forward (or cut one!) and search for victims in an environment that would surely blind us without them.

Illustrative of Faith

The passage says to take up the “Shield of Faith.” In ancient times, a shield was something that you hid behind while taking the enemy’s attacks. As technology developed, they adapted features that allowed the user to continue to fight, rather than take a retreat position. They often had a cutout (modern ballistic shields have a window or are clear) so that you can remain operational and offensive. To maintain my illustration, when we crawl below the smoke, our mask shield becomes crucial for keeping smoke, embers, and debris out of our eyes.

When we learn to really trust God, our faith provides a valuable tool for stay grounded and allowing us to confidently progress into a deeper relationship with Him as we navigate a life filled with the enemy’s attacks.

Faith provides the foundation upon which we build our lives and make sense of the world’s complexities. By nurturing and developing our faith, we deepen our understanding of God’s character, His promises, and His unfailing love. Through prayer, meditation, and the study of Scripture, we reinforce our faith, ensuring that it remains steadfast when faced with doubts and uncertainties.

The shield of faith is an indispensable component of the Christian’s armor, offering strength, protection, and assurance in the midst of life’s challenges. Through faith, we deepen our belief and trust in God, enabling us to navigate doubt, fear, and spiritual warfare. It empowers us to overcome adversity, discern truth from deception, and stand firm in our convictions. Moreover, faith serves as a source of hope and encouragement, reminding us of God’s unwavering love and the promise of a victorious future.

Why we need a strong Faith

Faith Withstands the Impact of the Enemy’s Attacks. The things that the Enemy throws at us can be deflected by a strong faith. Your faith can be an impenetrable barrier when the enemy attacks.  His main flaming dart is deception and faith is the best tool against it.  Thing about these spiritual attacks:

• Temptation – A strong faith reminds us that the fleshly temptations are cheap and destructive counterfeits for the blessings that come from obedience.
• Fear – A strong faith reminds us that the scary things in life are no big deal for a Good God.
• Doubts – The enemy would love for us to believe there’s no God or that at least, He’s not that good. Because we have a deep relationship with Him, we can see these as lies.
• Other Spiritual Attacks – When we feel attacked by the enemy, a strong faith reminds that even in our suffering, God has a transcendent plan for it.

Faith Maintains Visibility and Focus on The Chief –  When I get smoke in my eyes. I’m immediately blind. With my face shield, it doesn’t even slow me down. Imagine going through life with such a strong faith in God that the enemy’s attacks… the temptation, the deception, and the discouragement just go right past us because we are comfortably resting behind God’s Goodness.

Drop your visor, it’s time to work!

Debrief:

1. How has God’s goodness to you in the past given you confidence that He’ll care for your future? Name a situation.
2. How has God’s goodness to you encouraged you to avoid temptation?
3. What good things are in your life because of a generous God that would be threatened by falling to the Enemy’s attacks?

Report to the Chief:

Make a list of the ways that God has provided for you – your spouse, your kids, your job, health, etc. Name and pray for them specifically. Put that list somewhere where you can look at it and be reminded of God’s grace in your life.

Feedback

Please use the comments below to give me some feedback. What could have made this post more powerful in your life? Anything not make sense or flow well? Any comments to make it more faithful to Scripture?