Skip to content
The Faith Series | Desiring Bible Truth
Armor of God · Piece 4 of 7

The Shield of Faith

The Faith Series: The Shield That Quenches the Fiery Darts

Faith is called a shield, strong enough to quench every fiery dart the enemy throws. That is a bold claim, so instead of assuming we already know what it means, this series works through what Scripture itself teaches about faith: what it is, where it comes from, who it rests on, and how it actually holds up under attack.

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Ephesians 6:16, KJV

This is the fourth piece of armor named in Ephesians 6:14–18, following the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of the gospel of peace. Where those pieces establish what is true, right, and settled underfoot, this piece is raised in the fight itself, faith held up against the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ten Lessons

Work through them in order. Each one opens with the verse itself, before any commentary.

  • 01 Hebrews 11:1 What Is Faith?
    “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is not wishful thinking. Scripture defines it as a real substance and real evidence, even when what is trusted in cannot be physically seen.

    Word Note

    Greek hupostasis ("substance"), a foundation, that which stands under something. Also elegchos ("evidence"), a legal term for proof or conviction.

    See Also

    • Romans 10:17
    • 2 Corinthians 5:7

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is the substance of what?

    AThings hoped for BThings believed CThings seen DThings promised

    2. Hebrews 11:1 also calls faith the evidence of what?

    AThings not seen BThings forgotten CThings to come DThings spoken

    3. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by what?

    AThe word of God BThe preaching of men CThe law DTradition
    Study

    4. Why does it matter that the Greek word behind "substance" implies something solid, not just a feeling?

    Apply

    5. What is something you currently hope for but have not seen, and what has your faith been resting on regarding it?

  • 02 2 Timothy 1:12 The Object of Faith
    “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is only as strong as its object. Scripture never calls believers to have faith in faith itself, but to know and trust a specific Person.

    Word Note

    Greek pepisteuka ("have believed"), perfect tense, a settled act of belief with continuing present result. Paired with hos ("whom"), a personal pronoun rather than an abstract proposition.

    See Also

    • Galatians 2:20
    • Acts 20:21

    Check Your Understanding

    1. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul says he knows not what, but ___?

    AWhom I have believed BWhat I have taught CWhere I am going DHow I will die

    2. According to 2 Timothy 1:12, what is Paul persuaded this Person is able to do?

    AKeep that which I have committed unto him BForgive every sin instantly CReturn before Paul dies DReward Paul's labor right away

    3. Galatians 2:20 says the life Paul now lives in the flesh, he lives by the faith of whom?

    AThe Son of God, who loved him and gave himself for him BThe apostles who taught him CThe law of Moses DHis own strength
    Study

    4. Why does Scripture consistently point faith toward a specific Person rather than describing faith as a generic inner strength?

    Apply

    5. If someone asked you "faith in what," could you answer as specifically as Paul does here, or does your faith sometimes feel more like vague optimism than trust in a named Person?

  • 03 Romans 10:17 Faith Comes by Hearing
    “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is not self-generated or manufactured by willpower. It has a specific source, exposure to God's own word.

    Word Note

    Greek akoe ("hearing") can mean both the act of hearing and the message heard. Rhema ("word") here refers to the spoken word of God.

    See Also

    • John 20:31
    • 1 Peter 1:23

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Romans 10:17, what does faith come by?

    AHearing BSeeing CFeeling DTradition

    2. What does hearing itself come by, per Romans 10:17?

    AThe word of God BThe preaching of the apostles only CThe law DMiracles

    3. John 20:31 says these things are written so that you might believe, and believing, have what?

    ALife through his name BWisdom for daily living CPower to do miracles DPeace with all men
    Study

    4. Why might this verse matter for someone trying to "work up" more faith through sheer effort?

    Apply

    5. What role has hearing or reading God's word actually played in growing your own faith so far?

  • 04 James 2:17 Faith Without Works Is Dead
    “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Genuine faith is not merely mental agreement. It is meant to show itself alive through action, or else Scripture calls it dead.

    Word Note

    Greek nekros ("dead"), literally lifeless, a corpse. A strong term, not "weak" or "incomplete," but without life at all.

    See Also

    • James 2:26
    • Galatians 5:6

    Check Your Understanding

    1. James 2:17 says faith without works is what?

    ADead, being alone BWeak, but alive CIncomplete DHidden

    2. James 2:26 compares faith without works to a body without what?

    AThe spirit BBreath CBlood DStrength

    3. Galatians 5:6 says what matters is faith working through what?

    ALove BKnowledge CObedience to the law DMiracles
    Study

    4. Why do you think James uses such a strong word, "dead," rather than something softer?

    Apply

    5. Where is there a gap right now between what you say you believe and what your actions actually show?

  • 05 Hebrews 11:6 Faith Pleases God
    “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.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is not optional or secondary in approaching God. Scripture states plainly that pleasing him is impossible without it.

    Word Note

    Greek ekzeteo ("diligently seek"), an intensified form of "seek," implying earnest, thorough searching.

    See Also

    • Romans 14:23

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is impossible without faith?

    ATo please him BTo know him CTo see him DTo obey the law

    2. What two things must someone believe to come to God, per Hebrews 11:6?

    AThat he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him BThat he is holy and that he is just CThat he exists and that he forgives all sin DThat he is love and that he is merciful

    3. Romans 14:23 says whatsoever is not of faith is what?

    ASin BWeakness CFoolishness DUnbelief
    Study

    4. Why might faith specifically, not effort or knowledge, be what pleases God?

    Apply

    5. Do you believe God is "a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," and does the way you seek him reflect that belief?

  • 06 Ephesians 6:16 Faith as a Shield
    “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is not a passive belief system in this picture. It is an active shield, held up to intercept and extinguish attacks aimed directly at the believer.

    Word Note

    Greek thureos ("shield") refers to the large, door-shaped Roman shield covering the whole body, not the small round aspis. Sbennumi ("quench") means to extinguish completely.

    See Also

    • Psalm 18:2

    Check Your Understanding

    1. What word does Paul use to describe faith in Ephesians 6:16?

    AShield BSword CBreastplate DHelmet

    2. What does the shield of faith do to "all the fiery darts of the wicked"?

    AQuenches them BDeflects them CAbsorbs them DReflects them

    3. What specific type of large shield does the Greek word thureos describe?

    AThe large, door-shaped shield covering the whole body BA small, round shield for hand-to-hand combat CA decorative ceremonial shield DA shield used only by officers
    Study

    4. Why might it be significant that Paul says this shield can quench "all," not just some, of the enemy's darts?

    Apply

    5. What is a recent fiery dart, a doubt, accusation, or temptation, that faith helped you extinguish, or that you are still facing?

  • 07 Matthew 8:26 Little Faith vs. Great Faith
    “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith comes in degrees in Scripture. Jesus directly links the disciples' fear to a deficiency of faith, not an absence of it.

    Word Note

    Greek oligopistos ("little faith") is a compound word combining "little" and "faith," used by Jesus multiple times, always gently corrective rather than condemning.

    See Also

    • Matthew 8:10
    • Matthew 17:20

    Check Your Understanding

    1. What does Jesus call the disciples in Matthew 8:26, in connection with their fear?

    AO ye of little faith BO ye of no faith CO ye of great faith DO ye of doubtful hearts

    2. What did Jesus do right after saying this?

    AArose and rebuked the winds and the sea BPrayed silently until the storm passed CTold the disciples to row harder DFell back asleep

    3. In Matthew 8:10, whose faith did Jesus say was greater than any he had found in Israel?

    AThe centurion's BThe Pharisees' CJohn the Baptist's DThe disciples'
    Study

    4. Matthew 17:20 says faith as small as a grain of mustard seed could move a mountain. Why might Jesus measure faith in such small increments rather than requiring a large amount before it can act?

    Apply

    5. Is there a current fear in your life that, examined closely, traces back to little faith in a specific promise of God?

  • 08 1 Peter 1:7 Faith Tested and Proven
    “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Trials are not a sign that faith has failed. Scripture presents them as the very process that proves faith genuine, like fire refining gold.

    Word Note

    Greek dokimion ("trial") is the testing or proving process itself, used of the genuineness that results from metal refining.

    See Also

    • James 1:3
    • Romans 5:3–4

    Check Your Understanding

    1. What does 1 Peter 1:7 compare the trial of faith to, calling it "much more precious" than this?

    AGold that perisheth BSilver refined seven times CPrecious stones DFine linen

    2. What is the trial of faith said to be tried with?

    AFire BWater CWind DTime

    3. James 1:3 says the trying of your faith worketh what?

    APatience BWisdom CHumility DJoy
    Study

    4. Why might God allow faith to go through fire rather than protecting it from all testing?

    Apply

    5. What trial are you currently in, or have recently come through, that has tested, and perhaps proven, your faith?

  • 09 Habakkuk 2:4 Living by Faith Daily
    “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is not a one-time decision but an ongoing way of life. The righteous are described as living by it, continually, not just believing once.

    Word Note

    Hebrew emunah ("faith/faithfulness") carries the sense of steadfastness and reliability over time, not a single act of belief.

    See Also

    • Romans 1:17
    • Galatians 3:11

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Habakkuk 2:4, how does the just person live?

    ABy his faith BBy his works CBy his wisdom DBy his strength

    2. What does Habakkuk 2:4 say about the soul that is "lifted up"?

    AIt is not upright in him BIt shall be greatly rewarded CIt shall inherit the land DIt is blessed above others

    3. Romans 1:17 quotes this verse directly. What does it say is revealed "from faith to faith"?

    AThe righteousness of God BThe mercy of God CThe wrath of God DThe wisdom of God
    Study

    4. Why might the Hebrew word behind "faith" here also carry the idea of "faithfulness" over time?

    Apply

    5. What would it look like to live by faith this week in a specific, ongoing decision, not just a one-time act of trust?

  • 10 Hebrews 12:2 The Author and Finisher of Faith
    “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (KJV)

    Faith Principle

    Faith is not sustained by looking inward at its own strength. It is sustained by looking outward, to Jesus, who both began and will complete it.

    Word Note

    Greek archegos ("author") means pioneer, originator, one who goes first. Teleiotes ("finisher") means one who brings something to completion.

    See Also

    • Philippians 1:6

    Check Your Understanding

    1. According to Hebrews 12:2, who is described as the "author and finisher" of our faith?

    AJesus BAbraham CMoses DThe Holy Spirit

    2. What did Jesus endure "for the joy that was set before him"?

    AThe cross, despising the shame BForty days of temptation CRejection by his own people DMockery from the Pharisees only

    3. Philippians 1:6 says God, who began a good work in you, will do what?

    APerform it until the day of Jesus Christ BReward it immediately CTest it through suffering DReveal it to others first
    Study

    4. Why might it matter that faith has both an "author" and a "finisher," someone who starts it and someone who completes it?

    Apply

    5. When your own faith feels weak, what would it look like practically to look to Jesus rather than to the strength of your own believing?

Closing Charge

Take Up What You Have Found

You have seen what Scripture itself says about faith. It is substance and evidence, not wishful thinking. It rests on a specific Person, not a vague hope, and it comes only by hearing his word. Left without works, it is dead, but it pleases God when it trusts him for who he is. Paul names it a shield, and it quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked, not merely some of them. It is not only great or absent, it can be little, and Christ meets little faith with correction, not rejection. It is proven, not disproven, by trials that pass through fire. It is lived daily, not decided once, and it is authored and finished by Jesus, not sustained by looking at its own strength.

None of this was given to you to admire from a distance. Ephesians 6:12 states plainly that the fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The shield of faith is raised for that fight, not for a quiet afternoon. Ephesians 6:10 says to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, not in the strength of your own believing. And Ephesians 6:13 does not call you to strive harder for more faith. It calls you, having done all, to stand. Take up what you have found here, and let it quench what comes against you on the evil day.

The next piece of armor, the helmet of salvation, waits at Ephesians 6:17a.