Today we come to the end of the series of the armor God tells us to use, to sustain us, and grow in our walk with Him. All the weapons we have studied in this past week were weapons to protect us. This last weapon is the only weapon that we are given to use as an offensive weapon. It is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I believe it is both an offensive and a defense weapon.
Ephesians 6:17b “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that it is a powerful weapon that is sharp on both sides. It will defend any way that it is used. It is so sharp it can pierce to the deepest levels of our hearts and attitudes. This sword is living and powerful.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.”
The word can be used to deflect an attack just as Jesus used in Matthew 4:1-10. Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and Satan catches him at his weakest moment as a man. He tempts him with food, but Jesus does not yield to the temptation. Each time Jesus quoted the word to combat Satan. One interesting thing Satan did was to quote scripture himself, but he misquoted Psalm 91:11. He had a lot of truth with a little lie. He will use that tactic on us too if we are not equipped with the word of God.
We need to be trained in the word so that we will know how to handle our swords. If we do not have proper knowledge of the word we can be tripped up easily. I’ve heard many people misquote scripture to justify their own actions. We are to study! Not just read but look up the original meaning of words. Find out what the passage is saying not just one verse. Don’t take scripture out of context. The only way you will know if Satan is using this “misquoting” technique is if you have studied.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Satan comes to discourage you, steal, and kill you spiritually. He wants to devour you just as a lion seeks his prey for dinner. He is clever and we are no match for him without the weapon of the sword.
I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
This weapon will also keep us from sin. When we memorize and study God’s word we hide it in our hearts and minds. When Satan comes the Holy Spirit brings to our memory those truths from God’s word that remind us what is right and wrong.
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Each piece of armor is needed to win this war against our enemy Satan. Can you imagine a soldier training for months to enter the battle? Finally, the day has arrived, and he is called to action. He grabs his helmet and straps it on tight. He puts on his bulletproof vest and secures it around his waist. He steps into his rugged steel-toed boots and heads out the door without his gun. We would say this soldier is stupid and certainly not ready for battle. No one would look to them for protection because even though they may be able to deflect a few bullets and blows, with no weapon to fight back, eventually he would be overcome.
This is the same situation we put ourselves into when we try to live the Christian life without knowing the word of God. We need to read, study, and attend a church where we will be taught the word and memorize it to defeat our enemy.
God has provided us with all the weapons we need, but it is up to us to train and equip ourselves to fight the war.
With the help of the Holy Spirit that lives within, we can win!
