Darts of the devil
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (Eph 6:16).
In Ephesians 6:13, Paul characterizes satan as “the evil one” who attacks believers with flaming missiles.
The Greek word translated “evil one” literally means “bad,” “vile,” or “wretched.” All are apt descriptions of the archenemy of our souls, who seeks to maim and destroy us spiritually.
The term “flaming missiles” pictures one of the Roman weapons of Paul’s day: arrows that had pitch-soaked cotton material affixed to their tips. In battle they were set on fire and shot at the enemy. As the arrow hit its target, flaming pitch spread onto clothing and other flammable surfaces. Under such attacks a Roman soldier without a shield was in a perilous situation indeed.
Satan’s flaming arrows come in many forms:
Solicitations to impurity, selfishness, doubt, fear, disappointment, greed, vanity, covetousness, and the like. But whatever the specific form, all are seducing temptations aimed at eliciting ungodly responses.
Your God-given faith, based on the Word of God, protects you from such attacks when you elevate God’s will above Satan’s in your life.
When tempted by satan, Jesus responded by saying in effect, “I will not violate my Father’s will by yielding to your devious schemes. In His own time He will feed Me, anoint Me as Messiah, and give Me the kingdoms of the world. I will not elevate your will and timing above His” Matt. 4:1-11.
Jesus could have created food. He is the Messiah and the sovereign Lord over the kingdoms of the world. But He trusted the Father and yielded to His will, even though it meant personal discomfort and, eventually, the cross. When satan saw that Jesus’ trust in the Father was unshakable, he left Him v. 11.
That’s the power of faith.
I pray you will show similar strength in times of testing. Satan will flee from you if you “resist him, firm in your faith”.1 Pet. 5:9.
Memorize James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:17 as a reminder of the importance of resisting satan and use them as your sword and a shield.