The apostle compares faith to a shield because of a double
resemblance between this grace and that particular piece of armor.
The first likeness
is that shield is not for the defense for any one part of the body, as most
other pieces are. The helmet is fitted for the head and plate designed for the
breast, but the shield is intended for the defense of the whole body. Therefore
it was to be made very large and was called a "gate" or
"door" because it was so long and large that it covered the whole
body. And if the shield was not large enough to cover every part at once, this
skillful soldier could turn it this way or that way, to stop the swords or the
arrows, no matter where they were directed. This
resemblance reminds us of the importance of faith in the life of a
Christian. It defends the whole man-- every part of the Christian is preserved
by it.
Sometimes the
temptation is leveled at the head-- at the saint's reasoning. Satan will
dispute truth and, if he can, will make a Christian question the validity of
faith merely because his understanding cannot comprehend it. And sometimes he
prevails, blotting out a person's beliefs in the deity of Christ and in other
great and profound truths of the Gospel. But faith intervenes between the
believer and this arrow, coming to the relief of the Christian's weak
understanding.
Abraham, "being not weak in faith...considered not his
own body now dead" Romans 4:19. If reason had had the upper hand in that
business, if that holy man had put the promise to a test of sense and reason,
he would have been in danger of questioning the truth of it, although God
Himself was the messenger. But faith
brought him through the test. "I will trust the Word of God," says
the believer, "not my own blind reason."
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings
in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
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