The Shield

We are centuries removed from the kind of combat that involves a shield, so the intricacies of such combat can be lost on us.  A wide variety of shields have been used on the battlefield from the large, rectangular Roman scutum to the buckler, which was sometimes not more than six inches in diameter.  The defensive capabilities of the shield are easily observable.  When your opponent swings a sword or a club at your head, putting a large piece of wood or steel between your skull and that strike is obviously beneficial to your survival.  Very rarely, though, do we understand the offensive capabilities of this marvelously simple tool.

The culture of ancient Israel and the Greek, Roman, and Near East cultures Paul spoke and wrote to would be well aware that the shield was not just a defensive weapon.  It was also used to pummel and batter your opponent.  A shield is a bludgeon, and it can kill as effectively as a mace.  Roman soldiers used their huge scutums to push and bully their opponents, and they often brought the edge of their scutum down on the heads of grounded enemies to finish them rather than using their gladius.  Spartan soldiers used their bronze shields to knock their enemies to the ground and the sharp edge to slash, wound, and kill.  The buckler was used as a steel fist, the bosses of many types of shields were used similarly, and the Scots even attached a steel spike to the boss of their targe.

The common knowledge in those times of the shield's offensive use in combat should help refine our view of the shield used in Scripture.  Paul tells us to, "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16).  The shield of faith is used to push forward and engage the enemy, to stand and fight against the darkness.

We have been shown the glory of God as He has spoken to us through His Son in these last days.  Our response to such love and grace is faith and trust in who Jesus is.  James reveals that the natural outworking of faith is works, "I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18b).  For more on this, see Faith That Works.  Faith is not passive.  Faith does not simply sit still and defend what we know is true.  It is active.  The world tells us believing in more than the visible is foolishness, and the shield of faith slams itself against such ideas.  Strong faith refuses to relent.  It refuses to give in.  It presses forward despite resistance.  It extinguishes flaming arrows.  It turns blades.  It pushes through obstacles.  It slashes, smashes, and crushes the evil that stands before it just like a strong shield.

God has given you a powerful weapon in faith.  Use it.  Push forward.  Be relentless as you seek righteousness.  When Satan tries to throw doubt and fear at you, let it bounce off your faith, but do not stop there.  Let your faith in the Bright Morning Star crush it to the ground and deal the death blow.  Fight the good fight.  Stay the course.  Keep the faith.

Round Shield with Boss

Scottish Targe

Roman Scutum

Spartan Shield