Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
The previous Daily Bible Verse was about the helmet of salvation, the first part of this verse in the 6th Chapter of Ephesians. As Paul discusses the tools for a good Christian soldier to use in defending the schemes of the devil, he doesn’t forget that we often need to go on the offense when it comes to fighting the spiritual battles we face. The sword of the Spirit is not only a great tool of defense, but is also used for offense as well. The writer of Hebrews describes the word of God like this, “Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ”
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, it was the Word of God that he used against the devil. Three times he stated, “It is written…” quoting Old Testament scriptures to defeat the enemy. When the enemy comes to tempt us in our life the best defense is a good offense by hiding the Word of God in our heart. The Word is alive an active. It is not simply black words on white pages that we read for knowledge and understanding, rather, it is to penetrate our souls to the point that we are able to overcome any challenge we encounter. As we wield this sword, we are also reminded that it is the “sword of the Spirit.” It is not our own sword that we use, but the Holy Spirit of God. Paul says that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. The tool the Holy Spirit uses is the Word and it is for us as well.
So, how do we utilize the sword of the Spirit in our own lives? First and foremost, immerse yourself in the Word of God, meditating on it day and night. Psa 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (2) but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ~ A good soldier practices their skills daily. We too need to put away the things of the world and focus on the Word of the God and remember it is the sword of the Spirit that God has designed for us to use in every spiritual battle we face.
Blessings,
Keith