We are being attacked by Satan’s flaming darts every day. Evil will give you unhappiness and fear always in different ways.
The good news is that God has given us a weapon that can extinguish all of them:
In all circumstances, we can take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)
So, no matter how many flaming darts Satan fires against us, the shield of faith can extinguish them all. But that doesn’t happen automatically. Shields need to be picked up and used by ourselves consciously. How can we do that? Here are steps that will helpful for you.
1. Identify the flaming weapon
If someone comes and hurts you very badly, or tortures you mentally, and if anyone’s hikes make you sad, all these cause your mind restless? Do you feel any bitterness?
That bitterness is a flaming dart fired by Satan to collapse your mental and physical wellness. The same is true with lust, greed, and impatience. So first, identify the dart.
2. Trust that this dart can be managed
When the flaming dart comes and you feel your heart filling with bitterness, you can feel like there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s why it’s crucial to see that this flaming dart can be quenched.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
How can you extinguish this flaming dart?
3. Understand that it can only be vanished by the shield of faith
This flaming dart of bitterness cannot be quenched by: trying to stop feeling bitter,
look at the bright side, and take a deep breath. The only way to quench Satan’s darts is with the shield of faith — faith in Christ.
4. Turn to Jesus Christ
The shield is a strong pillar of faith, and faith means trusting all that God has promised to be for us in Jesus Christ. So, turn your heart to Jesus Christ.
You don’t need to get rid of your bitterness first. The death of Jesus on the cross can save you from evil bitterness. Your confession can enable you to overcome the bitterness.
5. Find promises which counter the flaming dart
Faith means trusting all that God promises to be for us in Christ. So, it’s crucial to find promises in God’s word — specific, blood-bought promises — that counter the flaming dart.
So, what promise would help with bitterness over what someone did to you, or said about you? I have found Genesis 50:20 helpful because this is what Joseph said to his brothers after they had sold him into slavery:
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
6. Pray over those promises until you feel God strengthening your faith and changing your heart
Read Genesis 50:20:
“No matter how many flaming darts Satan fires against us, the shield of faith can extinguish them all.”
This verse says that whatever others have done to me, you meant for good. But all I’m feeling now is bad that has come from what they did. So, help me trust that you are using this to bring me the greatest good of your nearness, love, and glory, as you promised in 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, 1 Peter 1:6–7, and 1 Peter 5:10. Please, Father, give me that greatest good now. Satisfy me so fully in yourself that my bitterness is comforted and I am rejoicing in you.
This might take some time. But wait patiently on the Lord (perhaps praying Psalm 40:1–3 to help you). Pray over Scriptures that display Christ’s beauty and glory (like Galatians 2:20 or Mark 2:1–12 or Revelation 5:1–14). You might also want to ask some brothers or sisters in Christ to pray with you and for you.
As you pray over God’s word, he will help you. He will strengthen your faith, help you see and feel the glory of Christ, and change your heart. You will move from feeling bitterness, hurt, and anger to feeling contentment, satisfaction, and joy in Christ.