Christian's Two Aspects of Taking Up the Shield of Faith: Believing in the Lord vs. Believing in God 1 John 3:8: "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." 1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, through whom you were called..."

 

Christian's Two Aspects of Taking Up the Shield of Faith: Believing in the Lord vs. Believing in God

1 John 3:8: "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."

1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, through whom you were called..." 

Item	Believing in the Lord	Believing in God
Meaning	Believing in the specific redemptive work accomplished by the Lord Jesus	Believing in God's essence, character, and attributes
Distinction	Focuses on Christ's manifestation, death, resurrection, and ascension as redemptive actions	Focuses on God's reality, life, intentions, and power as essential characteristics
Examples	Believing the Lord's manifestation destroys the works of the devil Believing the Lord's death has nullified Satan Believing the Lord's resurrection has put Satan to shame Believing the Lord's ascension transcends Satan's power	Believing God is real, living, timely, and available Believing God's heart is always good Believing in God's faithfulness and power Believing in God's word and will Believing in God's sovereignty over all things
Application	Used to resist specific attacks and temptations from Satan Used in practical spiritual warfare to extinguish fiery darts	Used for daily reliance Maintaining trust in God in all circumstances Believing in God's good intentions even in difficult situations
Relationship	Believing in the Lord's work is a concrete expression of believing in God It is the active aspect of the shield of faith	Believing in God's essence is the foundation for believing in the Lord t is the foundational aspect of the shield of faith
Relevant Scripture	Hebrews 2:14: "Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil." Colossians 2:15: "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." Ephesians 1:20-21: "Which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority..."	Mark 11:22: "Have faith in God." Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God..." Ephesians 3:20: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." Ephesians 1:11: "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will."

 

Conclusion:

These two aspects together constitute the completeness of the Christian's shield of faith, helping believers effectively "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16) when facing spiritual warfare. Believing in the Lord focuses on Christ's redemptive work, while believing in God focuses on God's essential attributes. The two complement each other, jointly building a strong defense of faith.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 24 The Giver of Gifts and the Composition of the Armor of God