The Sin Of Neglect

Paul writes in Ephesians 6:16, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (KJV). The Greek word for shield is thyreós which means properly, a gate or door (or "door-shaped"); used of the large, oblong ancient Roman shield (which looked like a full door), large enough to provide full protection from attack (Bible Suite by Biblos).

Why the shield of faith? Simply because our faith in Christ is what the devil wants to destroy. Our faith is constantly under attack but the shield of faith its the only offensive weapon to preserve us from the fiery darts of the wicked one. Faith is more than a form of protection, its our very character forged by a faithful God! David says in Psalms 28: 7, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." (NIV).

And what are these flaming darts? These darts are Satanic lies that want to attach themselves by penetrating our minds, hearts and bodies. The heat of these darts sear the lie until we are unable to resist. How many believers are strewn across the battle field of life because they did not lift up the shield of faith!

Beloved, the enemy of our soul is not necessarily the devil on the battle field but the enemy of neglect.

When we let our hands relax, the shield is lowered giving the enemy an opportunity to fire a volley of burning darts right into the opening. We are not only ones who suffer but the body of Christ when we don't cover each other. The Greeks formed a phalanx, a formation of soldiers encased by shields on their sides and those who were in the center, lifted up the shields above their heads. Boldly they advanced toward the enemy while rocks, flaming darts and arrows were repelled by their shields!

Remember the original word meant "door-shaped". When we open a door for the enemy through our eye-gate, mouth-gate, or ear-gate we give him an opportunity to throw a burning lie into our spirits. Listen beloved, the enemy will try to wear you down from holding up the shield of faith by relaxing your grip in a small, almost unnoticeable area of obedience. Excuses are made and short cuts are taken and soon you are neglecting to do what you know is right in the eyes of the Lord.

God is our strength, dear brothers and sisters. His hand will give us strength to take up the shield of faith so we can quench every lie the enemy hurls at us, at our churches and homes!

When you have little strength left God will bring brothers and sisters who will help you lift up the shield of faith.

Recall Exodus 17:11-12, "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset.(NIV)