Ephesians 6:17 KJV And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
We are learning about our God given armour. We need this armour because we are engaged in war with a well organized and powerful enemy. It is this armour that gives us victory when used correctly. We will look at the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and is our only offensive weapon. How can you use the sword of the spirit?
What This Looks Like
The offensive team has the ball and the goal is to make points. The goal of the defensive team is to keep that team from making their goal. That would be Satan. He wants to either keep us from getting the word, keeping the word, or putting the word into use for the kingdom of God. He hates Christ and those who belong to Him.
We will look at 3 things
- why it is called the word of the spirit?
- how to correctly use the Sword – God’s word
- Satan’s part
Why It Is Called The Word Of The Spirit?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
The word of God came from the Spirit of God. God breathed out His word through men who wrote down what God said. Do we understand how this happens, no. We know what was written because it was written under the influence of the Holy Spirit. No person could have thought this up.
2 Peter 1:20-21 KJV 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
God’s word did not come from the mind of a person nor a person’s explanation of the truth. The word of God was spoken by God through the Holy Spirit. This is why it is called the sword of the Spirit. The word of God can not be understood correctly without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We can only know we are led by the Holy Spirit if the leading lines up with the word of God, they are one in the same.
How To Correctly Use The Sword – God’s Word
The sword pictured here was a sword that was used to kill the enemy not just wound. We can not kill Satan, angels never die, but
God has given us a weapon to defeat him.
2 Timothy 4:3 KJV For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Satan tirelessly attacks the verse by verse preaching and teaching of the word of God which we must know to use our sword correctly. Satan convinces some who teach God’s word it is wrong somewhere and somehow. It is outdated, not all of it is true, doesn’t make sense, etc. The true gospel is exchanged for a less offensive gospel and no, God doesn’t really mean what He says (Genesis 3). The true gospel is watered down and made seeker friendly. This type of gospel and teaching is deceptive and deadly to everyone because there is power in the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).
Hebrews 11:3 KJV Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
God spoke the universe into existence. The word of God, when used correctly, is the power to defeat Satan and all his schemes and strategies. Our victory comes through faith in Jesus Christ who is the word of God ( John 1:1-3, John 16:33, Colossians 2:15).
Satan’s Part
1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Our adversary, the devil, is always looking for people to kill, steal from, and destroy (John 10:10). He does this by preying on our weaknesses, ignorance, and emotions (Ephesians 4:26). Satan diligently looks for avenues to get into our personal space, our mind. To defeat Satan and have victory over his temptations we must be free from any illusions. That is to have victory we have to know the word of God, the Truth.
Romans 12:1-2 KJV 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Part of our winning is to submit our life to God willingly as a living sacrifice. That is, God’s will be done not ours. We stay true and loyal to Christ by obeying His commands which shows Him we love Him (John 14:15-24). We humble ourself before the Lord and do not allow the world to conform us into it’s ways but we submit and allow the word of God to re-new our thoughts, ideals, and attitudes through His word.
How To Apply This To Your Life
Luke 4:1-13 is our perfect example of how to use the word of God. Jesus resisted the temptation of the devil by quoting scripture
which was the Old Testament. Jesus quoted scripture that fit the temptation. We are to follow His example and say it is written ourselves. But we must know God’s word, study God’s word, memorize God’s word before we can ever quote it.
- The word of God, Christ (John 1:1)
- Jesus Christ, the Truth (Psalm 119:160, John 14:6, John 17:17)
- Christ is our righteousness ( Romans 3:22-23)
- Our faith is a gift from God in Christ ( 1 Timothy 1:13-14)
- The gospel of peace is the gospel of Christ and God (Philippians 1:27, Romans 1:1)
- Salvation is in Christ Jesus alone (Acts 4:12, Psalm 62:1)
Our armour is God-Christ-Holy Spirit, One God, three Persons. The armour is Christ in us. When we use our armour correctly we are standing our ground in the image of Jesus Christ, Who is our firm foundation.
Do you seem to be always struggling? Are you overcome with fear and angry because you are afraid? Jesus Christ is the only One Who is able to truly heal a broken heart and set free the captive (Luke 4:18).
When we have done all we can do we stand and we pray.
Ephesians 6:18 KJV Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
