Essential Five – Spiritual First Aid Kit

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [Ephesians 6:10: 16]

We are continuing with our Ten backcountry essentials which are things we need to have to survive the outdoors; and our ten spiritual essentials which are items we need to survive the spiritual attacks that come to us as a believer.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [Ephesians 6:10-16]

I love this passage every time I read it because this puts the focus on what we can do instead of putting the focus on the enemy. These scriptures are so powerful and truly essential in our lives as believers. Remember, we have been given the power and authority to get rid of the devil, you don’t have to put up with his crap.

ESSENTIAL ONE – NAVIGATION (MAP AND COMPASS) – EVERY PIECE OF GOD’S ARMOR

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm [Ephesians 6:13]

ESSENTIAL TWO – SUN PROTECTION (SUNGLASSES AND SUNSCREEN) – BELT OF TRUTH

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth [Ephesians 6:14a]

ESSENTIAL THREE – INSULATION (EXTRA CLOTHING) –GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (BREASTPLATE)

Putting on the body armor of God’s righteousness [Ephesians 6:14a]

ESSENTIAL FOUR – FLASH LIGHT/HEADLAMP –ILLUMINATION SHOES OF PEACE

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [Ephesians 6:15]

The Lord tells us exactly what we are up against and exactly what we need to do to win. Remember, we have already won but the enemy is stupid and doesn’t believe he is defeated, so he keeps rearing his ugly head. (if you let him)

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [James 4:7]

 So let’s hop into our essential #5 for today!

ESSENTIAL FIVE – FIRST AID SUPPLIES – SHIELD OF FAITH

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [Ephesians 6:10: 16]

In the backcountry or even on a short-day hike you just never know what is going to happen. This is the reason it’s always good to carry ALL the ten essentials. One of the key essentials is having a first aid kit. Within that first aid kit, I like to have several items from aspirin, ibuprofen, band-aids, first aid ointment, bee sting kit, bandages, etc. Basic things where if something happens, I can at least be able to function or help a friend function to the best of their ability, based on the injury.

Likewise in our spiritual essentials, we want to be sure that we have our spiritual first aid kit which is our shield of faith. This shield of faith isn’t something we put on but it’s a defensive weapon against the fiery arrows of the devil!!

As we dive into this essential, I would like to emphasize something that many believers miss. We not only have authority and power, but we can also live a fully victorious life by putting on and using these ten essentials! This is because of the gift of life that Jesus gave us.

In battle, the soldiers used the shield to stop physical darts. We have spiritual darts and arrows being flung at us all the time, especially when we are not paying attention. So this shield isn’t something we just carry around and hope that will stop random flying darts. No, we need to take action and use this essential for what it is – it’s a shield to protect your heart, mind, and soul.

All the other items were symbolic of something that we would put on, but there also was an action that went with each of them. So it is with the shield, it does no good to just carry the shield around and not raise it and use it as a defensive weapon. Yes, we are in a battle girlfriend, and you are fighting for your mind, your family, your health, your finances, your home, and anything else the enemy wants to steal that isn’t his.

This shield is symbolic of our faith. This is a real battle and we need to rise up and use our faith defensively.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. [Hebrews 11:1]

Faith is, believing in something that we have not yet seen. Faith is, believing the word of God even though the world has profusely distorted it. Faith is putting on your belt of truth and standing. Faith is choosing to conduct our life in a way that is pleasing to God. Faith is willing to be that living sacrifice for the Lord. Faith is, believing what God says about YOU and dismissing and not entertaining any other thoughts. Faith is continuing to do things that are right regardless of what others think or say.

What I love about this essential is we can completely put a stop to any negative thoughts or anything in our minds that is contrary to the Word of God. In some translations it says ‘extinguish’ which means to put out, bring something to an end, to get rid of, to silence. Do you realize that you have the power to extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the enemy, to shut his mouth, and to silence those negative thoughts running around your head? Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [Ephesians 6:10: 16]

Every Monday we talk about our thoughts and make them more like God, this essential helps us do this. The way we use this shield and take hold of our thoughts is with the power and authority that we have been given through the Holy Spirit. You can have a fully victorious life if you stand firm and utilize all these essentials that the Lord has given us! I just love Luke 10:19 because we have been given all power over the enemy. He is a snake and a tiny worm that has now power. Don’t give him YOUR power, because that is the ONLY way that he can do anything.

Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. [Luke 10:19]

It’s by our words that we use this shield, by speaking the Word of God over any thoughts or any stupid limp arrow the enemy shoots at you. Therefore, you MUST know what God’s Word says and the promises He has given you, so you know what to speak. The Word is your shield 😊

This is a daily habit that every believer must do. We need to press into the Word and deepen our relationship with the Lord because we are living in a day where deception is rampant. The less you feel like reading the Word the more you NEED to. If you don’t get into the Word the enemy, has you right where he wants you. You will rely on your feelings instead of God’s Word and you be stuck, feel hopeless, confused, have stinking thinking, feel sorry for yourself, feel worthless, and all those other negative awful lies (darts) the enemy is flinging at you. You can become paralyzed and then you can’t do what the Lord has planned for you to do… This is exactly the plan of the enemy, to destroy, steal, and kill everything that God has given YOU.

Hold up that shield of faith, speak the Word of God over your life, and stop those ugly fiery darts…

He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. [Isaiah 49:2]

The goal of every post, podcast, or any other teaching that I do is so that YOU as a single woman of God stand firm and live in total victory!

Some people get ruffled feathers when anyone advocates total victory in the Christian life. They don’t think it is obtainable; therefore, it is wrong to promote such ideas and get people’s hopes up, since they will just be disappointed. But what we have learned in essential number five is that our shield of faith will STOP all the fiery darts of the enemy. 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. Remember once you decide to stand firm and stand on the Word of God, there will be more arrows and the attacks will intensify. When you are living on the side of the enemy, he already has you so you are not a threat to him. But when you STAND FIRM on what God’s Word says, that’s when all hell breaks loose.

Don’t believe that total victory isn’t possible just because it’s not common among most “Christians”. Victory is possible, but sadly not everyone takes full advantage of ALL that God has provided to us. Please don’t listen to any teaching that God wills us to fail at times, because that IS NOT true. Telling a believer that nonsense is like telling an athlete that their coach wants them to lose. That is crazy and it’s crazy to think that God wants us to fail. We as believers need to plan on winning, put up our shield of faith to STOP all things of the enemy, and run our race with all of our heart, soul, and mind and with everything that God has given us.

I’m going to end today with another one of my favorite verses because I am a fighter and will not only finish the race, but I will finish it standing firm and victoriously!!!!

What about YOU?

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing [Timothy 4:6-8]