“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 – NKJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ has won an absolute victory over Satan and his demons and their works for believers through His death and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:57, Col. 2:15, Heb. 2:14).
Therefore, as a believer in Christ, you must not strive by any religious means to win, gain, or obtain victory over Satan. All you need to do is put on and use the whole armor of God in spiritual warfare.
Paul instructs you to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11 NKJV).
“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.” (Eph. 6:13 NKJV).
In Ephesians 6:13-17, Paul drew an analogy between the whole armor of God prepared for believers and the standard armor Roman soldiers wore in those days. In today’s piece, we shall consider another piece of the whole armor of God, the Sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17 – NKJV
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The sword of the Roman soldier was a terrible weapon. It was short, sharp, lightweight, and well-balanced. It is used defensively to fend off the enemy and offensively to attack and destroy the enemy.
What is the believer’s sword?
The sword of the Spirit!
What is the sword of the Spirit?
The sword of the Spirit is the truth of God’s Word revealed by the Holy Spirit to the believer’s heart, which is then spoken, declared, prophesied, or proclaimed by the believer in faith!
The Scripture states, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 RSV).
“And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD: my spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your children, or out of the mouth of your children’s children, says the LORD, from this time forth and for evermore.” (Isa. 59:21 RSV).
How do you take up and wield the sword of the Spirit?
By diligently reading, studying, hearing, imbibing, memorizing, meditating upon, speaking forth, or declaring God’s Word in faith when Satan draws near to attack you with fear, doubt, unbelief, discouragement, guilt, condemnation, worry, or anxiety!
Beloved, you cannot resist or stop the devil from encroaching on your territory and put him to flight by keeping your sword in its sheath. Therefore, arise today and resist the devil with your sword drawn out – opening your mouth to boldly declare the revealed truths of God’s Word concerning your life, family, and situation.
That is how Jesus Christ overcame all the devil’s temptations while he tempted Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11).
That is also how Jesus Christ will strike the nations that rejected Him at His second coming.
Revelation 19:15-16 – NKJV
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (NKJV).
Friend, arise today and begin to wield or use the sharp sword of the Spirit through your mouth and watch the devil flee from you.
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, teach and help me daily to take up and wield the sword of the Spirit effectively in spiritual warfare, in Jesus’ name. Amen.