Defensive Faith (The Victor's Mentality 40)

For the past two articles, we have been discussing the different phases of faith. We have seen three so far: we have seen that the faith we received at salvation, which is the saving faith, must continuously be applied so it also generates into justifying faith and then living (daily) faith.

Today, we shall see another progression, which is the protective (defensive) faith.

As you go into this new year, you will always need to flow in this phase of faith.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16 NKJV)

The Bible tells us that with the shield of faith, you are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. So what are the fiery darts that the wicked one throws at you? Basically, it’s a thought—a demonic conception or perception and temptation to shift your gaze from Christ and His word.

When we look at Adam and Eve, the devil didn’t come with a physical weapon to harm them. He came with an evil idea, a demonic narration to question the Father’s love for them.

When we look at the devil himself, that was the same way he fell. It all started in his head and mind.

Isaiah 14:12-14 tells us:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” 

The Bible says, “He said in his heart…” The same way he was brought down is the same way he is bringing men down today—by giving them the wrong idea and perception about God and their position before Him.

What the devil does is give you a thought that can change your orientation about God, and you begin to ask questions like, “Does God really love me? Is He interested in me?” The primary aim of the devil is to make you doubt the Father’s love for you, to make you think that God is not happy with you, or that God is punishing you because of your sin, or that God is mad at you. Then he begins to tell you that you have not done enough to warrant God’s love, and you begin to go through the circus of trying to please God with self-effort—perhaps He can love you more.

I came to discover a vital revelation in 1 John 4:18:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

We often say the opposite of fear is faith—and yes, it is true. But at its core, the opposite of fear is love. In the scripture above, the Bible says perfect love casts out fear.

What actually opposes faith and brings fear is because we are not rooted in the Father’s love for us. And this is what the devil always wants to attack. That is why he is throwing those fiery darts in your thoughts.

If he can attack your stand in the Father’s love, you will be vulnerable to different attacks of the devil—because the love of God is like a shield that covers our hearts, thoughts, minds, and conscience from being exposed to the activities of the devil.

There is a scripture in Galatians 5:6 where the Bible says, “Faith works by love.” So this protective or defensive faith will be able to work effectively in our lives when we stand our ground in the Father’s love and do not allow the devil to take us away from it. It is because of His love that our faith is ignited to resist the devil—and of course he will flee.

What the devil first does to believers is to check their stand regarding their relationship with the Father’s love. If he then sees that you are standing and seeing it, he begins to launch an attack and tells you that it is normal to feel a headache. He tells females, “Menstrual cramps are a normal thing,” and puts you into a position where you are comfortable with sickness.

Beloved, it is high time to stand in faith because you know your Father who loves you has already healed you in Christ. You resist the devil, and he will flee.

Brother, whatever cannot be traced to the resurrected Christ is not normal for you. Being small and being in penury is not normal. Many of us, it is not that we are exhibiting contentment, but that the devil has put us in a position where he has deceived us that not everyone will thrive and make it financially. And so you are always small in your thinking. No! That is not contentment; that is a lack of protective faith. You are always welcoming and swallowing what the devil suggests to you.

It is high time you start saying no!

My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory. I go and come in prosperous, blessed, safe, and secure from all harm. My heritage is blessed.

Let me tell you, the devil cannot deal with you on the realm of faith where you are seeing the Father’s love, you are seeing the finished work of Christ, and you are seeing the active workings of the Holy Spirit.

What he does is try to bring you to the realm of senses. For instance, he begins to say, “Look into your bank account, and you are claiming you are blessed of the Lord while your bank account is empty.”

Listen—it doesn’t matter what your bank account is saying at the moment; that does not stop the fact that you are the blessed of the Lord. He tells you that you are saying you are the righteousness of God in Christ, and yet you are still addicted to this and that. You are still committing sin. It still does not change the fact of who God has made you in Christ—you are the righteousness of God in Christ.

As you are going into the new year, I have a word from the Lord for you: don’t allow the devil to trick you into doubting the Father’s love for you. Stay active in your faith and resist every dart of the enemy, and it shall be well with you. Amen.

Brethren, prayerfully meditate on these things.