The Sword of the Spirit

Introduction

We will be studying from two passages of scripture today. The first is and the second is . Tonight we are going to spend some time together talking about the Armor or God.

This is a great series that we are in. The Holy Bible - More Than Words. We have talked about the Bread of Heaven, the Water of Life, and last week the Breath of God. All of these lessons were about the Word of God. Here’s the point - we don’t just read the Bible because it is a good book, although it is a good book.

But you know what? JoAnne and I both enjoy reading. JoAnne is a much more avid reader than I am. Over the years we bought some real good books that we have enjoyed reading. I don’t remember a one of those good books that we have went back and re-read.

This good book, The Holy Bible, is different. The reason is that when we continue to read the Word of God, we continue to take in the fullness of God and we take God into ourselves. In , the Bible says that Jesus is the Word. So when we read the Word of God, we are literally taking God inside our bodies. Let me tell you this, if God is in the house, something is going to change. Something is going to happen.

Let me give you a gentle warning about the way to read the Bible.

Hebrews 4:1 NKJV

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

Hebrews 4:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

Now listen - there is a way to receive the Word of God that is void of faith. So I want to challenge you tonight that when you open up God’s Word and begin to read that you activate the God stuff on the inside of you. If you come across something in God’s Word that is funny - laugh and thank God for it. If you come across something that you don’t understand - tell God, God I don’t understand this passage will you help me to understand it? Be diligent in the Word of God and as you activate your faith, there is something that will change on the inside of you and the Word of God will begin to come alive.

Tonight I want to invite you, as we study the Word of God, that you would combine what you hear with faith.

Ephesians 6:10–18 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:1–18 NKJV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Ephesians 6:10–18 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Ephesians 6:10-

Ephesians 6:1-

I want to draw your attention to verse 17 - this verse refers to the Sword of the Spirit. It is interesting that this is the only piece of the armor that is defined within the verse. The verse says that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.

In scripture there are two swords that we find there. One sword is a great big long sword and it’s what we think about when we see a movie about possibly King Arthur. It’s one of those great big swords that it would take most of us two hands to handle. Now in the Bible only one carries that sword and His name is Jesus. This sword is a completely different sword

I want to draw your attention to verse 17 - this verse refers to the Sword of the Spirit. It is interesting that this is the only piece of the armor that is defined within the verse. The verse says that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.