Take.....the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
Are you dressed and ready for a fight? You should be wearing your belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, and helmet, defending yourself. Look out....here’s comes a dart. Watch out behind you...there’s another one. Arrows are flying everywhere. Standing in defensive garb and lifting the shield may work for a time, but we’ve got to strike back. We need an offensive campaign. Grab a sword, hold it flat and parallel to the ground, and let’s advance against our enemy. Here we go....push, charge, ATTACK!!!!
Ephesians 6 mentions only one offensive (as well as defensive) weapon and it is the sword of the spirit. All of the other armor is used to defend and protect against the enemy, but the sword is intended to defeat the enemy and rescue lives. The sword of the spirit is the Bible, the inspired word of God. We must know the word of the Lord if we’re going to confront our enemy, and using the sword will require a close encounter with our opponent. Jesus experienced an upclose and personal engagement with Satan and triumphed. Read the account of Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4:1-11.
Jesus used Scripture as a weapon when Satan tempted Him in the desert. Prior to entering the desert, John the Baptist baptized Jesus and the Father spoke from heaven of His love for His Son. What a mountain top experience that must have been! Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert where He fasted forty days and nights. Imagine how famished He was in the wilderness after those 40 days! Thinking Jesus was at His weakest, Satan emerged to entice and tantalize the Son of God. Three times Jesus wielded His sword, speaking words of truth from Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 91:11-12, Deuteronomy 6:16, Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20, and Joshua 24:14. Jesus knew the Word because He always made time for prayer and studying Scripture. He wore the armor of God, fought the good fight of faith, and sent Satan fleeing. He came to rescue lives!
Just like Jesus, we frequently encounter mountain tops and deserts. Are we prepared for the battle? Is the Word of the Lord buried deep within our hearts and minds? Does the armor of God cover us from head to toe? Make time to study Scripture and commit wholeheartedly to the Lord and His commands. Only then can you wield the sword of the spirit and cause Satan to turn tail and run. God spoke to the Israelites through Moses saying, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV) Memorize the following verses so that you can swing the sword of the spirit when temptation comes your way.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
May the praise of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands... Psalm 149:6 (NIV)
and a double-edged sword in their hands... Psalm 149:6 (NIV)
When your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)
they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:15 (NIV)
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible)
He (or she) lifts up a banner for the distant nations,
he whistles for those at the ends of the earth.
Here they come,
swiftly and speedily!
Not one of them grows tired or stumbles,
not one slumbers or sleeps;
not a belt is loosened at the waist,
not a sandal thong is broken.
Their arrows are sharp,
all their bows are strung;
their horses’ hoofs seem like flint,
their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
Their roar is like that of the lion,
they roar like young lions;
they growl as they seize their prey
and carry it off with no one to rescue. Isaiah 5:26-29
he whistles for those at the ends of the earth.
Here they come,
swiftly and speedily!
Not one of them grows tired or stumbles,
not one slumbers or sleeps;
not a belt is loosened at the waist,
not a sandal thong is broken.
Their arrows are sharp,
all their bows are strung;
their horses’ hoofs seem like flint,
their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
Their roar is like that of the lion,
they roar like young lions;
they growl as they seize their prey
and carry it off with no one to rescue. Isaiah 5:26-29
Lift up your swords, MPs, and daily prepare for battle....in prayer. We’ve got lives to rescue!