49-54 The Armor of God--Part 4
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Ephesians 6:17b
Ephesians 6:17b
It was reported last year that worldwide spending on military and defense was at an all-time high in 2020—despite the economic woes related to COVID. Nearly $2 trillion dollars was spent worldwide in that year (up 2.6% from previous year). The US has the largest overall military budget at $778 billion (39% of world spending). The nearest competitor is China which spent $252 billion. If you ask me, that doesn’t really offer much consolation when it comes to the feeling of security—though this amount of spending does have the effect of making enemies think long and hard if they would like to make war with the US or her allies.
As we conclude our study of the armor of God this morning, I want to go back and look again at this provision of God as a whole. If the world’s nations are so concerned over the threat and potential of war, what should be said about the believer in the midst of a very real spiritual war?
It is critical to recognize that God’s armor is complete and effective. It lacks nothing and the wise soldier knows that no single piece of the armor can be laid aside until the battle is finished (BTW—that doesn’t happen until you die or the Lord returns).
JC Ryle: “Not a single piece of the armor can be dispensed with. The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of hope—each and all are needful. Not a single day can we dispense with any part of this armor.”
He then goes on to quote William Gurnall (17C English author who wrote what may be considered the most important and complete commentary on spiritual warfare: The Christian in Complete Armour; A Treatise Of the Saints' War against the Devil: Wherein a Discovery is made of that grand Enemy of God and his People, in his Policies, Power, Seat of his Empire, Wickedness, and chief design he hath against the Saints. A Magazine Opened, From whence the Christian is furnished with Spiritual Arms for the Battle, helped on with his Armour, and taught the use of his Weapon: together with the happy issue of the whole War.) “In heaven we shall appear, not in armour, but in robes of glory. But here our arms are to be worn night and day. We must walk, work, sleep in them, or else we are not true soldiers of Christ.”
It is vital that we take up the full armor of God—b/c the whole armor is essentially a picture of LJC. Christ is the truth (Jn 14:6), our righteousness (2 Cor 5:21), our peace (Eph 2:14), His faithfulness makes possible our faith (Gal 2:20), He is the hope of our salvation (Lk 2:30), He is the Word of God (Jn 1:1,14).
Paul told the church at Rome to “put on the armor of light…put on the LJC” and since we are never out of reach of the devil’s devices (schemes) we cannot for a moment lay aside the crucial protection we have from our gracious heavenly Father.
6) The Sword of the Spirit
6) The Sword of the Spirit
In the Roman arsenal there were 2 primary swords: romphaia which is a large broadsword (double edged).
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
Rev 19:15 , 21
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
The other sword is a relatively shorter sword “machaira” This is the sword favored in hand-to-hand combat as it was less than 2 feet long. It was easily attached to the soldier’s belt, always ready to be used and could be wielded in tight, close quarters—described as “suitable as a cut-and-thrust weapon for close work.”
This sword is used several times in NT:
Carried by soldiers to arrest Jesus
While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Used by Peter in same account to cut of Malchus’ ear (slave of high priest)
And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
In Hebrews the heroes of the faith encounter the sword, some escaped death others succumbed to it (Heb 11:34)
Herod’s executioners put James the brother of John to death by the machaira
And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.
This is the sword Paul is referencing in Eph. Now, he calls it the “sword of the Spirit.” Paul doesn’t mean that it is a spiritual sword (though it is necessary for spiritual war). The description “of the Spirit” means the source or origin of the sword is from the HS.
Now, where most of the armor is defensive in nature—the sword is specifically offensive (though the Word of God does give adequate defense against Satan’s attack). As an offensive weapon—since the HS is the source of this sword Paul has in mind the offensive empowerment by the HS which is necessary for spiritual battle.
There is a further description of this sword: “which is the word of God.” You can see then why this is the sword of the Spirit…since it is the HS who is the author, source for God’s Word.
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
A sword is one of many symbols used to describe God’s Word:
Mirror (James 1:22-25)
Fire (Jeremiah 20:9; 23:29)
Water (Ephesians 5:25-27)
Seed (Matthew 13:10-23; 1 Peter 1:23)
Hammer (Jeremiah 23:29)
Food (Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16)
Light/Lamp (Psalm 119:105)
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Because the Word of God is living, active, penetrating, discerning (has capacity to judge, render decisions, to discern attitudes and thoughts that are found deep in the inner recesses of the heart)—it is our greatest weapon against temptation and falsehood as it purifies ad transforms us into the glorious image of our Lord.
Unknown writer: “There are words written by kings, by emperors, by princes, by poets, by sages, by philosophers, by fishermen, by statesmen, by men learned in the wisdom of Egypt, educated in the schools of Babylon, and trained at the feet of rabbis in Jerusalem. It was written by men in exile, in the desert, in shepherd’s tents, in green pastures, and beside still waters. Among its authors we find a tax-gatherer, a herdsman, a gatherer of sycamore fruit. We find poor men, rich men, statesmen, preachers, captains, legislators, judges, and exiles. The Bible is a library full of history, genealogy, law, ethics, prophecy, poetry, eloquence, medicine, sanitary science, political economy, and the perfect rules for personal and social life. And behind every word is the divine author, God Himself.”
When Paul says it is “the word of God”—the term for “word” is not logos...
About 500 years before Christ—Heraclitus lived in Ephesus. He was the one who said it is impossible to step into the same river twice—all things are in a state of change. To Heraclitus and other philosophers, all life seemed like that. But they also asked “if all things are in a state of change why is there not perpetual chaos?” Heraclitus believed the changes in life were not random but ordered change. The means of the ordering is what he called the logos—or “reason” that controls it. He further concluded that all things happen thru this logos and it was the stabilizing principle in the universe.
Later philosophers followed this thinking. Stoics really developed the concept of logos. What kept stars in their courses, what makes tides ebb and flow, what makes day and night come in unalterable order, what brings the seasons each in their appointed times?
The term logos gave expression to a deep conviction of the rationality of the universe—an eternal Reason for all things.
John uses this term in Jn 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And he is saying to those steeped in Gk philosophy: the thing that has most occupied your minds—this word (logos), this controlling principle of the universe has come to earth as a man and we have seen him.”
But logos is not the term Paul is using in Eph 6. He uses another word rhema. This term means “a saying” or expression, referring to a specific portion, expression or saying of God’s Word. This is what Jesus demonstrated in His temptation (Mt 4; Lk 4). You recall the 3 temptations that are recorded: command stones to turn to bread, throw himself off the temple and see if angels would protect, worship the devil to be handed the world…Jesus responded to each temptation with a specific Scripture “It is written”. That’s what rhema refers to—a specific, timely word that meets the need in any given circumstance.
James Boice:
“Let me put it to you very directly. Here is Jesus Christ--the holy son of the almighty God, the one in whom neither Satan nor any man could find any wrong or gain even the tiniest foothold, Jesus, whose eyes were always on the glory of God the Father and who always lived in the closest possible communion with him. If this Jesus, your Lord and Savior, has to know Scripture in order to resist Satan and win a victory over him, how much more do you and I need it to win a like victory.” It’s not enough to have a general knowledge of God’s Word—you must know the specifics—know what the Scripture actually says—you need to memorize it if you are to resist and overcome this terrible enemy.
The word of God (rhema) is powerful.
But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
This word renders judgment and imparts eternal life. It transforms individuals and has transformed whole communities. Let me give you 4 words that summarize the power of God’s Word—which becomes a sure sword in the hand of those seeking to resist the schemes of the devil.
Compelling
Compelling
The Word of God is compelling. Here’s a definition: evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way; not able to be refuted; not able to be resisted; overwhelming.
God’s Word is able to move us like no other writing can. John Calvin:
Now this power which is peculiar to Scripture is clear from the fact that, of human writings, however artfully polished, there is none capable of affecting us at all comparably. Read Demosthenes or Cicero; read Plato, Aristotle, and others of that tribe. They will, I admit, allure you, delight you, move you, enrapture you in wonderful measure. But betake yourself from them to this sacred reading. Then, in spite of yourself, so deeply will it affect you, so penetrate your heart, so fix itself in your very marrow, that, compared with its deep impressions, such vigor as the orators and philosophers have will nearly vanish. Consequently, it is easy to see that the Sacred Scriptures, which so far surpass all gifts and graces of human endeavor, breathe something divine.
Since it is of divine origin, the sword of the Spirit is inerrant (without error or mistakes).
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
The Word of God is Pure
The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
The Word of God is Authoritative
Isaiah 1:2 (NASB95)
Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the Lord speaks,
This Word is compelling. Martin Luther “The Bible is alive. It speaks to me. It has feet; it runs after me. It has hands; it lays hold of me.” This book is the most relevant book ever written. every other book is a dead book—this one is living. It speaks to every real issue in every age and for this reason it is powerfully irresistible.
Convicting
Convicting
The Word of God brings conviction to those who hear. I often hear when greeting people on the way out “What you were talking about is exactly where I am…somebody must have told you about this...” No one told me…but that’s the convicting power of the Word.
On the day of Pentecost…Peter explaining the phenomena which had been experienced re: the HS began to preach to a massive crowd of Jews.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
Converting
Converting
What begins as conviction often results in conversion. Here is the power of transformation unlike any other earthly power. It becomes one of the clearest testimonies of Xn truth—just how lives are changed by Christ.
Dr. Harry Ironside was in San Francisco, participating in Salvation Army sidewalk meeting when he describes an encounter with an agnostic who invited Dr. Ironside to a debate...
Sir, I challenge you to debate with me the question 'Agnosticism versus Christianity' in the Academy of Science Hall next Sunday afternoon at four o'clock. I will pay all expenses —.
I will be glad to agree to this debate on the following conditions: namely, that in order to prove that Mr.—— has something worth fighting for and worth debating about, he will promise to bring with him to the Hall next Sunday two people, whose qualifications I will give in a moment, as proof that agnosticism is of real value in changing human lives and building true character. First, he must promise to bring with him one man who was for years what we commonly call a 'down-and-outer.' I am not particular as to the exact nature of the sins that had wrecked his life and made him an outcast from society — whether a drunkard, or a criminal of some kind, or a victim of any sensual appetite — but a man who for years was under the power of evil habits from which he could not deliver himself, but who on some occasion entered one of Mr.——s meetings and heard his glorification of agnosticism and his denunciations of the Bible and Christianity, and whose heart and mind as he listened to such an address were so deeply stirred that he went away from that meeting saying, 'Henceforth, I too am an agnostic!' and as a result of imbibing that particular philosophy he found that a new power had come into his life. The sins he once loved, now he hated, and righteousness and goodness were henceforth the ideals of his life. He is now an entirely new man, a credit to himself and an asset to society — all because he is an agnostic.
Secondly, I would like Mr.—— to promise to bring with him one woman — who was once a poor, wrecked, characterless outcast, the slave of evil passions, and the victim of man's corrupt living...ruined and wretched because of her life of sin. But this woman also entered a hall where Mr.—— was loudly proclaiming his agnosticism and ridiculing the message of the Holy Scriptures. As she listened, hope was born in her heart, and she said, 'This is just what I need to deliver me from the slavery of sin!' She followed the teaching until she became an intelligent agnostic. As a result, her whole being revolted against the degradation of the life she had been living. She fled from the den of iniquity where she had been held captive so long; and today, rehabilitated, she has won her way back to an honored position in society and is living a clean, virtuous, happy life — all because she is an agnostic.
Now, Mr.——," I exclaimed, "if you will promise to bring these two people with you as examples of what agnosticism will do, I will promise to meet you at the Hall at the hour appointed next Sunday, and I will bring with me at the very least one hundred men and women who for years lived in just such sinful degradation as I have tried to depict, but who have been gloriously saved through believing the message of the gospel which you ridicule. I will have these men and women with me on the platform as witnesses to the miraculous saving power of Jesus Christ, and as present-day proof of the truth of the Bible.
That man went away silenced while the crowd began their applause. That’s the converting and transforming power of God’s Word.
Consoling
Consoling
Where does a person turn when they are facing the most challenging and difficult trials of life? There is no wisdom or philosophical system or religion that can offer hope and comfort in the midst of sickness, hardship, loss of friends/family, etc…as does Scripture.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
Be like the saint who received her new Bible: (Ruth Harms Calkin)
This was an exciting day for me, Lord! This morning I opened my new Bible. Not a single word was circled, not a single phrase underlined. Now with each new day I can circle and underline again. I can word-clutter the margins. And I know what will happen, Lord—I’ll be asking as I read, ‘Why didn’t I see that before?’ But even with the joy of a new Bible, I’m going to miss my old one with its tattered pages—its creased and torn edges. Oh, how many personal notes are jotted on the margins! How many God-whispered secrets! Yes, Lord, I’ll miss it. But thank you for a friend’s reminder: ‘If your Bible is falling apart chances are your life isn’t.”
Put on the armor of God and trust God’s gracious provision to protect you against the schemes of the devil who seeks to devour you b/c you belong to LJC.
You have the armor of God and with it—you are able to resist the schemes of the devil adn live to the glory of Christ.