| Spiritual Warfare Lesson #22 The Sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17 And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Spiritual battles are just like natural battles. Nations do not engage in war all of the time. They fight when a problem comes along. Afterward the soldiers return home to experience a time of peace and refreshing, and do not fight until there is a reason to fight. Battles will come, but they won't come everyday. God has given us this special weaponry so that when they do come, we will be prepared and we will be victorious over satan. Paul said in Ephesians 6:17 And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The word (sword) is taken from the Greek word (machaira). This brutal weapon was about 19 inches long and was razor sharp on both sides. The very end of the sword pointed up so that is was extremely sharp and deadly. Before the Roman soldier withdrew his sword From the gut of the enemy, he held his sword tightly with both hand and he would twist it inside the enemy's stomach. This sword was not only intended to kill, but to completely rip the enemy's insides out. It was a weapon of murder. This is what God's word will do to the devil, when you learn how to use it. God has given the Church a weapon that is brutal. Now the Holy Spirit tell is that the Word of God is just like that. It will do terrible damage to the enemy when used properly. But this weapon will not do any good if you don't get it inside of you. You must study the Word of God. By meditating on God's Word, you allow the Holy Spirit, to do a marvelous work in you. Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Let's look at Hebrews 4:12 in the Living Bible For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. When God's word begins to work in you, It cuts through the muck and the mire and goes straight to the heart of the matter. When we willfully take the Word of God into our hearts, And allow it to do its supernatural work in us, that Word does what no spouse, friend, pastor, teacher, psychologist or psychiatrist could ever do. When God's word has done this extraordinary work in us, We are forever inwardly changed. Furthermore we become filled with supernatural faith. Why? Because Romans 10:17 says, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Do not underestimate the importance of studying, meditating, and praying over the Word of God. It is the key to victory. So saint's of God lets get our Sword of the Spirit in tact, and get ourselves fully dressed with the armor of God, so that we will no longer allow satan to push us around, but we will defeat him through Gods mighty Word. The choice is up to you. You can either win or let satan win. You must decided. But remember this, that God is always on our side. Praise His Holy Name!!! |