About this talk
This sermon, part of an armor of God series, focuses on Ephesians 6:16 and the “shield of faith” as protection against Satan’s “flaming arrows”—the lies, temptations, and deceptive thoughts he uses to attack believers. Using the imagery of Robin Hood and Roman shields designed to block arrows, the sermon establishes that Christians are engaged in a real spiritual battle with only two sides: standing with God or with Satan, who is described as adversary, slanderer, father of lies, and roaring lion. Though formidable, Satan has already been defeated through Christ’s death, and believers are called to trust in Jesus and take up the shield of faith continually—not just occasionally—by relying on God’s character, promises, and power rather than placing faith in themselves, circumstances, or other people. The sermon identifies five common lies Satan uses against the church (e.g., “your sin is too bad,” “you’ve already arrived spiritually,” “your favorite sin isn’t serious,” “you’re not really a Christian,” “move on from old-fashioned biblical teaching”) and demonstrates how these lies can be extinguished by actively applying faith in God, who is greater than the enemy and guarantees ultimate victory and judgment over Satan.
Main points:
- Christians face real spiritual warfare from Satan, who attacks with deceptive “flaming arrows” (lies, temptations, destructive thoughts).
- Satan is a formidable but already-defeated enemy; there is no neutral ground—one is either with God or with Satan.
- Five common lies threaten the church’s spiritual health, making believers ineffective or lukewarm if believed.
- The shield of faith must be actively and continually “put on,” not merely possessed, to block the enemy’s attacks.
- Faith means looking to, relying on, and trusting God’s character, promises, and power rather than self, circumstances, or others.
- God’s greatness ensures believers can extinguish every lie, no matter how big, because He is greater than the devil.
Bible references:
- Ephesians 6:16
- Ephesians 4:27
- John 8:44
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
- 1 Peter 5:8
- Acts 5
- Revelation 3
- Ephesians 6
- Ephesians 3:16-21
Ephesians 6 v10-20