The Sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:10–17

Ephesians 6:10–17 CSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

If we must prepare ourselves for spiritual battle, we must take up spiritual arms. So, Paul completes his list of armor pieces with the only item that is by nature offensive instead of defensive—the sword of the Spirit.

This spiritual sword, says Paul, is actually the word of God. But what is the word of God (ῥῆμα θεοῦ)?

Paul didn’t have the 66 books of the closed-canon Bible that we have. But he did have the Old Testament and the apostolic tradition.

So, what is the “word of God”? And how might we wield it for spiritual battle? The “word of God” refers God’s commands, God’s promises, and God’s works.

God’s Commands

God’s Promises

God’s Works

Conclusion

Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

We fight by his words, not ours: following the commands of the Lord of armies, claiming the promises of our saving King, and relying of the works of Warrior God.