The Sword Of The Spirit

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. —Ephesians 6:17

Have you ever noticed that when you plan to spend some time reading your Bible, all kinds of strange things start happening? You wake up in the morning you can decide to read the newspaper – every section of it – and everything will be fine. There will be no phone calls, no disturbances. You can read from beginning to end without distraction. But as soon as you pick your Bible to read, the phone starts ringing. The children start screaming. You remember that you forgot to charge your phone or return a phone call. They are not necessarily evil things that are keeping you from God’s Word—they are just things. They are distractions. The devil doesn’t want you to read your Bible. Did you know that? He wants to distract you, because the Bible is a crucial weapon for spiritual battle.

The Bible refers to God’s Word as “the sword of the Spirit.” It is the only piece of offensive weaponry listed with the armour of God in Ephesians 6. The breastplate and helmet are for protection. The shoes help a soldier gain ground. The shield is something to stand behind. But the sword is for attacking and inflicting damage.

So it is crucial you sharpen your sword. You must study it and know the weight of it. You must learn how it works and how it moves. And most importantly, you want to practise and master how to use it.

What shape is your sword in? Is it polished from daily use? Has it been sharpened on the anvil of experience as you have applied and obeyed its truth in your life? Or, is your sword dulled from disobedience? Is it rusty from lack of preparation?

Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you sharpen your spiritual sword and do battle with the word of your testimony.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —

19 and for me, that utterance may be…

The Sword Of The Spirit