Faith Wins Every Time | Jentezen Franklin
As believers, we often face battles—sometimes tangible, sometimes unseen. Our faith calls us to stand firm, just as the brave warriors of ancient times did. Drawing inspiration from the timeless story of the Spartans, let’s explore how faith equips us for victory in every circumstance, and how we can safeguard this precious shield to pass on to future generations.
The Spartan Legacy: Lessons from History
In the annals of ancient Greece, the city of Sparta stands as a powerful symbol of courage, discipline, and commitment. Unlike their contemporaries, the Spartans famously refused to build walls around their city. When asked why, they boldly proclaimed, “Our men are our walls.” In other words, the strength and valor of Spartan warriors were the city’s defense.
This culture revolved around readiness for battle and loyalty to one another. From the time a boy was seven years old, he entered military training, learning the virtues of toughness, endurance, honor, integrity, and courage. They trained not just for physical battles, but for the survival and security of their people. At twenty, they took a sacred oath, pledging never to dishonor their weapons or abandon their fellow soldiers. “I shall not disgrace my sacred weapons, nor shall I desert my comrades by my side. Whenever I stand in rank, I shall stand and fight till death for sacred things.” This was a lifetime commitment from the age of 7 to 60, a relentless devotion to the cause and to one another.
The Spiritual Parallel: Our Call to Stand Firm
While the Spartans fought physical battles, as Christians we fight spiritual ones. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” These instructions are not just about physical might, but about embracing spiritual strength, resilience, and integrity.
In today’s age, when distractions compete for our allegiance and values shift around us, it is crucial that we understand what it means to take up the “shield of faith” as described in Ephesians 6. Faith is our defense against doubt, fear, and the trials that threaten to shake our confidence in God.
Honoring the Shield: Passing on the Faith
In Spartan culture, men were measured not by their possessions, but by their willingness to fight for their loved ones and their city. Similarly, our lives should not be defined by the things we acquire, but by our devotion to faith and family. When a Spartan reached the age of twenty, a pivotal moment unfolded. Before he went into battle, his mother would hand him his shield, sometimes a family heirloom, and utter these famous words: “Either bring this shield back, or be brought back on it.” Lay down your life if necessary, but never surrender your shield. It was a call to unwavering commitment, honor, and sacrifice.
We need that same tenacity regarding our faith. The greatest gift we can pass on to our families is the shield of faith. In our modern world, the temptation is to focus on wealth, education, and achievements. But the legacy that matters is the faith we instill in our children—the unshakable belief in Jesus as Savior, the determination to live by His Word, and the courage to stand up for our beliefs, no matter the cost.
Guarding Against Distraction: What Truly Matters
There is no shortage of alluring “spoils” and glitter in today’s culture—material possessions, temporary pleasures, and fleeting recognition. Yet, what sets us apart as Christians is our commitment to what is eternal. The shield of faith is not a relic; it’s our spiritual lifeline. Honoring and protecting it is more important than ever.
Are you investing in your faith and your family’s spiritual future? When we pray, read the Bible, worship together, and teach our children about God’s love, we are polishing and protecting our spiritual shield. Conversations about faith, sharing personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness, and family worship time are ways we reinforce the spiritual armor that protects our hearts and homes.
The Role of Fathers and Mothers: Spiritual Warriors
Parents play a crucial role in passing on faith that lasts. The story of the Spartan mothers is particularly powerful. These women, far from shielding their sons from hardship, challenged them to act with courage and conviction. Instead of offering excuses or catering to comfort, they demanded strength and honor—qualities desperately needed in homes today.
We need spiritual parents—fathers and mothers who challenge their children to stand strong in faith, who don’t just hand out “participation trophies,” but instill resilience, discipline, and integrity. This isn’t about harshness, but about preparing children for the challenges of life and the reality of spiritual warfare.
Is your child tough enough to stand for their faith when challenged? Are you nurturing perseverance and spiritual strength, or rescuing them from every difficulty? True success is not about attending the best schools or landing prestigious jobs, but about holding onto the shield of faith and living as a child of God in a challenging world.
The Unshakeable Foundation: Faith in Jesus
A Christian’s shield of faith is more than just belief—it’s a deep and unyielding confidence in Jesus Christ. It’s knowing and declaring that nothing—no achievement, title, or institution—can save except Jesus. Salvation is found only in Him. No amount of money, education, or good works can take His place. Our hope and security are built on Christ alone.
The responsibility to protect and honor this faith is greater than ever. The world offers substitutes that promise happiness but lead to emptiness. We need to value our faith above any treasure, ensuring it becomes our children’s greatest inheritance.
Living Out Faith in the Everyday
How do we actually “hold the shield” day by day? It’s in the ordinary moments: kneeling in prayer, reading the Bible at the kitchen table, praising God in song with our families, telling our