FIERY DARTS OF THE
WICKED
INTRODUCTION
Fiery darts of the wicked is a metaphor for spiritual attacks, temptations, and negative thoughts (doubt, fear, lust, despair) designed by the enemy of one’s soul to destroy faith. These “flaming arrows” referred to as “fiery darts” are extinguished by using the “shield of faith” to trust in God’s promise and defend one’s mind.
Apostle Paul identified what the Christian faces as a believer in Christ, in writing: We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). It was noted that flesh and blood refers to humanity. Principalities refer to rulers, powers to authorities, rulers to world rulers, and spiritual wickedness to wicked spiritual beings including Satan and his cohorts.
Fiery Darts of the Wicked
Equipped to Stand Against
Apostle Paul wrote: Wherefore take (take up) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day (which are in), and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:13). The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).
In the midst of identifying the armor of God, Paul noted: Above all, taking the “shield of faith” wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts (flaming arrows) of the wicked (wicked one) (Ephesians 6:16). He concluded with: Praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching therewith with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (others suffering for their stand in Christ) (Ephesians 6:18).
Nature of Attack
Fiery darts of the wicked are external, sudden, and intended to cause emotional or spiritual pain, such as discouragement, temptation, or accusation. Defense of such, as previously identified, is the “shield of faith” which represents active, unwavering trust in God and His Word, which renders such attacks powerless. To place one in such a status, believers are advised to recognize the harmful thoughts, reject them, and replace them with spiritual truths.
The Prophet Jeremiah cried out: O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved, How long shall your vain (wicked) thoughts lodge with you (Jeremiah 4:14)? It was noted that such thinking today can arise from many sources: absorbing immoral movies and television; carelessly surfing the Internet; listening to malicious talk; ignoring the Word of God; giving into a materialistic worldview. A question was asked: Will we allow the sanctifying Scriptures and the purifying blood of Christ to cleanse our heart and mind or will we persist in sin-filled thinking and experience God's judgment?
Scripture reveals: You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline (turn aside), after many, to wrest (pervert) judgment (Exodus 23:2). One is not to embrace what is being presented as a worthy cause without knowing the genuine reason behind its implementation. Jesus revealed the necessity for doing so: Every idle world that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment; for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37).
Warning and Countermeasure
Fiery darts of the wicked have been forewarned against: If the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded (Noah Webster).
Our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits. If truth is not diffused (promulgated), error will be (fiery darts of the wicked); If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.
If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity (Daniel Webster).
Seeking to Devour
Apostle Peter wrote: Be sober (aware), be vigilant (on guard); because your adversary the devil (also referred to as Satan), as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The fiery darts of the wicked have been in around ever since the serpent (Satan's advocate), in the Garden of Eden, utilized deceitful tactics to undermine God’s Word (Genesis 3:1 & 4).
Unless the believer puts on the whole armor of God, described earlier (Ephesians 6:14-17), one can fall into captivity at the hand of the devil. Apostle Paul spoke of those recovering themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26).
Apostle Peter provided information on how the believer is not be devoured by the schemes of the devil: By remaining steadfast in the faith, that the God of all grace, who has called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:9-10).
Wicked Identified
The Psalmist David identified the traits of the fiery darts of the wicked: There is no faithfulness (uprightness) in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher (tomb); they flatter with their tongue (Psalm 5:9). The wicked plots against the just (righteous), and gnashes upon him with his teeth (seeks to devour him) (Psalm 37:12).
Jesus said: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits (work) you shall know them (Matthew 7:18-20); He was referring to false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15).
The fiery darts of the wicked are issued from such vessels of deception. A prophecy gave warning of such: For though Satan becomes as an angel of light hearken not to him; for those who perform miracles and speak not righteousness are not of Me.
A Fallen World
Fiery darts of the wicked continue in a fallen world. It was noted that we live in a fallen world that seeks to gratify and accommodate sins that would not have even been previously discussed in public. Those congregations and denominations who advocate homosexual and transgender acceptance teach that any Biblical prohibitions against such activity is cultural and not a commandment. Culture and convictions change commandments do not.
It was noted that over the last half-century, the family has been remade through cohabitation, same sex marriage; single-parent homes, transgenderism, and the scourge of pornography have contributed to the breakdown of the traditional family. With opportunities to communicate with others via the television and internet, ungodly individuals have venues for influencing others as never before. In such an environment, Christians must know God’s Word and be spiritually equipped to guard against such activity.
God’s Word gives amply ways to guard against the fiery darts of the wicked, as revealed in this message, but one has to be aware of such a need before being delivered. A man of God was asked: If given an hour to explain the Gospel to someone, how would he do so? He said he would spend the first fifty minutes on the bad news of judgment and then the last ten minutes on the good news of salvation, because without the context of judgment one would not appreciate or even understand salvation.
Mercy Extended
The Prophet Isaiah spoke concerning the wicked: The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt (fiery darts of the wicked). There is no peace, saith the Lord, to the wicked (Isaiah 57:20-21). God has offered mercy: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him return (turn) to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7).
Promise given to King Solomon, regarding the people of Israel: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). It was noted that this promise was given Israel but is applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith.
Jesus gave an invitation to a wayward church: I stand at the door (one’s heart), and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door (only you can), I will come in to him, and will sup (fellowship) with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Apostle Paul wrote: Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is no other name (the Lord Jesus Christ) under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
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