What are the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16)?

The Bible teaches us, as Christians and members of Christ’s body, that we are engaged in a spiritual battle against a real enemy—the devil. In Ephesians 6:10–17, the apostle Paul describes the spiritual armor God has given us to wear in this battle so that we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (verse 11). Paul lists several defensive pieces of armor designed to protect us, including “the shield of faith, with which [we] can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).

An arrow is a deadly weapon used in warfare since ancient times. Arrows were forcibly thrown or projected at a target but were not self-propelled. The original Greek word (belē) used in Ephesians 6:16 could be translated as “arrow,” “dart,” “javelin,” “spear,” or “missile.” Flaming arrows were sharp, piercing projectiles that, in Paul’s day, were dipped in a flammable substance and set on fire before being launched at an enemy (see Psalm 120:4). Their purpose was to cause widespread destruction and death.

The flaming arrows of the evil one in Ephesians 6:16 represent all the wicked schemes the devil devises and then hurls at us to weaken and undermine our faith. Determined to take us down, Satan loads his bow and quiver, always ready to attack (1 Peter 5:8–9). He shoots his flaming arrows or “fiery darts” (NKJV) at our minds and hearts (Romans 7:22–23; 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Matthew 15:18–19).

The temptation to sin is one of the devil’s most effective flaming arrows (Matthew 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; James 1:14). These missiles can blast from our own sinful nature (Ephesians 2:1–3; James 1:14), other people (2 Peter 2:18), and the world (1 John 2:16). They can fly from the tongue of another person or our own tongue, setting us on fire and injecting enough deadly poison to defile our whole bodies with just one word (James 3:3–10). They come in the form of lies (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9), deception (1 Timothy 2:14; Revelation 12:9), and sinful, hateful attitudes (Galatians 5:19–20; Colossians 3:5). They strike from our doubts, fears, past hurts, disappointments, rebellion, selfishness, guilt, and shame.

The phrase flaming arrows of the evil one serves as a metaphor for the internal and external spiritual battles all Christians face. Thankfully, God has given us a fail-safe defensive strategy against the devil’s attacks. Paul instructs believers to “take up the shield of faith,” which can extinguish every fireball, providing protection and strength in our spiritual journey. We need faith to put out the piercing projectiles of the evil one; without that shield, they will ignite a fire of disobedience and sin within us.

We never know when the devil will attack, so we must always walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 John 5:4). We must not give the devil a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27) but resist him (James 4:7), constantly being watchful and aware of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11) and standing firm in our faith (Isaiah 7:9; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:24).

We take up the shield of faith by reading, studying, listening to, and standing on God’s Word (Romans 10:17; 15:4; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). We can pray and ask God to strengthen our faith (Ephesians 6:18). When we place our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, we are “made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:1–2, NLT).

By putting our whole trust in the Lord, we have all we need: “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection” (2 Samuel 22:31, NLT). The flaming arrows of the evil one cannot penetrate God Himself, who “is a shield to all who come to him for protection” (Proverbs 30:5).

The Lord is our armor guard and fortress. We run to Him and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Through faith, we lay hold of God’s promises and His power in times of temptation, doubt, weakness, fear, and spiritual attack. By our faith in Him, we extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.