Activity
Based upon the video that was watched in Module 5 -Lecture 3 we are going to practice using our Shields of faith On the Battlefield.
Make sure that you read over the scenario carefully. You will no doubt be reminded of something you have either heard or experienced yourself. Remember what happened and consider what you have learned about how to use the Shield of Faith both offensively and defensively.
As a recap of what was shared in the video, this is
SPORTS IN THE BIBLE – OFFENSE and SPORTS IN THE BIBLE – DEFENSE followed by the On the Battlefield Activity where you get practice using your activated Shield of Faith.
Sports in the Bible – Offense
Now, we are going to have fun with this part of looking at the importance of being equipped with the shield of faith because in doing so we will first consider the game of football and maybe even some basketball. Are you a sports fan? If so, you will like this next part. If not, but you know someone who is a sports fan, you will want to share this next part with them and fascinate them with your understanding of sports terminology only to later explain that you are speaking to them of the importance of one of the pieces of the complete suit of armor.
So, in football, and in basketball, there are what are called Offensive and Defensive players. (Remember we said that the shield of faith is not a garment, but it is an offensive/defensive tool.) Well, in both sports you are acting offensively when you are tackling and you are acting defensively when you are blocking your opponent. (See Ephesians 6:12, for a list of our opponents.) In many of the sports that are played, you can see both offensive plays and defensive plays. One who excels in both areas of play is called a two-way player.
The offense is the act of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring goals or points. An example of an offensive play is seen in the Bible book of Joshua where the Israelites first began to go into the Canaanite Territories and begin to take control over the cities. We know that this was accomplished by faith because of the fact that none of the Israelites who came out of Egypt were allowed to go into the Promised Land because of their lack of faith. Only Caleb and Joshua, who demonstrated faith, were allowed to go into the Promised Land. An example of football played in the Bible is found in Daniel Chapter 10:1-14. Let’s take a look at it.
Daniel 10:1-14 New King James Version
Vision of the Glorious Man
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
In verses 12-13, Gabriel is speaking to Daniel and he tells him that what took him so long in coming to him, with the answer to Daniel’s prayer, is because the Prince of Persia stood against him. Reading over the account found in Daniel chapter 10 we see that Gabriel was operating offensively. He had a word (ball) that he needed to get to the goal (the outstretched hands of Daniel in prayer). Who detained him was the Prince of Persia who stood in defense against him. What enabled him to successfully score in transferring the answer from God to Daniel was the chief prince Michael, the archangel who helped Gabriel to get past the scrimmage line where the kings of Persia’s defense was set up. Fondly, I call the archangel Michael the quarterback because he set things up to help Gabriel to find the hole so that he could get the message to Daniel. Now, if you want to know what that message was that was delivered by Gabriel you would have to continue reading Daniel Chapters 11-12. I actually would encourage you to add that to your to-do list because that message actually pertains to our day today.
Sports in the Bible – Defense
Now, let’s look at some defensive plays found in the Bible. When acting defensively, one is at that point blocking the attacks of the offensive player. Remember, our warfare is not against flesh and blood.
In your bible, please read Ephesians 6:12.
In basketball, there are five types of defensive plays, two of which are alignment plays. Man to Man Defense (alignment) is when you are assigned to a specific player and you can force them into a corner. We see this in Matthew and Luke’s account of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. How Jesus responded to each of the tests that Satan lodged against Him is an example of acting in defense. Remember that the defensive player blocks. So when Satan tried to come at Jesus, each time Jesus responded with the Word of God. Jesus said, “It is written…” That is what using the shield of faith would look like for us. When something is hurled at us, our response would be to speak what thus says the Lord. But notice that we first discussed offensive plays using the sword and this is because we would want to be known as a two-way player. We want to not only be able to defend ourselves, but we also want to be able to go in and take back what was stolen from us. AMEN.
Another defensive play is called Zone Defense. This play is also an alignment play. This is when we stand for a specific area. For example, when we fight to protect our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, our states, etc., we are protecting a zone, an area, or a region. Those who defend zones know that you will not leave your zone when the opponent leaves it. You will continue to stand to protect your zone.
The next type of defense is called a Combination Defense, also known as a Junk Defense. This is when one combines the styles of both the Man-to-Man and the Zone Defense styles. When I consider these styles, I can’t help but be reminded of the prayer warriors and the intercessors. They know that one can chase a thousand and two can chase ten thousand. But let’s keep going because there are two more defense styles.
The next type of style of defense is called the Full Court Press. This is when one applies constant pressure to the offense. When I consider this style I think of how Jesus said to his disciples that some things you cannot get rid of except through prayer and fasting.
Lastly, there is the Half-Court press which means that the minute you see the opponent start, you begin to act in defense to resist him. In James 4:7 we are told to submit ourselves to the Lord and resist the devil.
So the minute we become Christians, which is the first step of submitting ourselves to the Lord because in this step we are choosing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, it is then when we begin our journey (play) of resisting the devil.
That Half Court Press becomes a full court press when we have to go hard in some areas and apply constant pressure which means including prayer and fasting. Remember that the Junk Defense is when we are using a combination of styles for the battle that we are in. The devil does not come at us in one manner, so we are not limited in how we fight. We were given the tools that we need. All we have to do is put those tools to work so that we can have the same outcome that Jesus did. Luke 4:13 tells us that the Devil left from tempting Jesus, departing until a convenient time.
This is why we must stay geared up and ready because Satan is always watching for an opportune time. He likes to try to catch us off-guard. He wants to catch us in our weak moments. He wants to catch us not paying attention. So on that note, let’s get ready to go right into our next garment piece, but not before we test our knowledge on how to activate our Shields of Faith.
Having refreshed on the various defensive plays, you are ready to try out your activated shield On the Battlefield.
Please Proceed to the Module 5 Quiz
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