Note 14 at Eph. 6:16: These words "above all" mean overall and in front of all. Some have suggested from this statement that it's the most important piece of armor too.

We exercise faith almost daily in such things as sitting on a chair and driving a car. But our faith is no better than the object in which it is placed. If I were to sit in a chair made of cardboard, I would go crashing to the ground. Regardless of how much faith I had, my faith would fall flat because the object of my faith was faulty.

Scriptures tells us in Hebrews 12:2 that we are to be "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." We must transfer our faith from human self reliance and dependence, to rely upon, cling to, and trust Jesus Christ in all areas of our life. Faith in its simplest definition is to trust, to rely, and to depend upon the resource of another. God's Word declares that the object of our faith, Jesus Christ, can never fail or disappoint us.

Note 15 at Eph. 6:16: The shield in the Old Testament was referred to as "the buckler." There were several types of shields used in the Apostle Paul's day. A small shield was used when fighting with the sword, which would cover over the whole area of the soldier's arm. There was a second type of shield that was about two and one half feet wide and four feet high. It was usually about as thick as the palm of a man's hand. This great, massive shield came to be known as a door shield. Sometimes it was made of bronze or gold, but most of the time it was made of heavy wooden planks glued together, covered with linen, canvas, or animal hides, and trimmed with solid iron or metal. When Roman soldiers would advance in battle they would overlap these large shields making a wall that would be able to quench the most modern weapons of the time.

One of the most advanced weapons of that time was the flaming arrow. It contained a little ball of linen dipped in pitch and ignited. The intention was to ignite the linen under the opposing soldier's breastplate and thereby consume him. This massive door shield created a wall to protect the Roman soldier from every fiery dart. The counterpart of this is the shield of faith that protects the Christian soldier. Verse 16 states "above all, taking the shield of faith" (see note 14 at this verse).

Note 16 at Eph. 6:16: Some people get very angry when anyone advocates total victory in the Christian life. They don't think it is obtainable and therefore, it is wrong to promote such ideas and get people's hopes up. They will just be disappointed. But this verse teaches that our shield of faith will quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked. Total victory is possible!

It is important to realize that this victorious Christian life doesn't happen because there is no opposition. Satan will shoot his fiery darts. In fact, once a person starts standing on the Word of God, the attack intensifies (2 Tim. 3:12; Mk. 4:17; see note 4 at Mk. 4:16, p. 193). But victory over all the attacks of the enemy is possible. Paul said, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:14). Paul had great opposition, but he always won.

It is true that total victory is not common among Christians, and, from the viewpoint of some, it may be non-existent; but it is not because it is not available. Teaching that God wills us to fail at times is like telling an athlete that his coach wants him to lose. We all learn from defeats, and losing can be used to make us better people, but real winners never plan to lose. Christians who plan to lose, will.