Skip to main content

The Sword of The Spirit

             Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17b)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Jesus answered, “It is written: …”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: …”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written:” (Matthew 4:4a, 7a, 10a)

 

 Sunday School teachers have long pointed out that the sword is the only weapon mentioned.  Of course, you could shove or bonk someone over the head with the shield, but that’s not an effective or safe use. No, we are advised to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And if we consider the example set by Jesus in Matthew 4, one might say we’re supposed to engage in repartee or quick-witted and witty replies drawn from Scripture.

          To do that, we need to be well-versed in what Scripture says, as Jesus demonstrated. But, a quick note here, Jesus didn’t feel the need to say “In Deuteronomy 8:3, it says…” The chapter and verse divisions weren’t added until later. While it is definitely useful to know where to find passages in the Bible, not knowing chapter and verse doesn’t make the passage less useful for spiritual warfare.

          This passage is simple to apply when it comes to comforting others. It’s not always easy. We may have to prayerfully search Scripture for passages that apply to our current situation or someone else’s. We need to know, practice, and teach proper understanding of the text. I don’t mean that we should say, “Read [Biblical reference] and apply it.”

          Instead, we should practice or demonstrate and/or explain the process, taking them through praying, using a search engine, properly evaluating the text, discussing practical steps to try, and ending in prayer again.

          The other factor we need to impress on ourselves and those we are trying to comfort so that they can do battle themselves is that the bulk of spiritual battle is within ourselves and with ourselves. The Word of God divides our souls, spirits, joints and marrow, and the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. While Jesus was putting Satan in his place, He was also putting Himself in proper relationship with the Father, with Satan, with Himself, and with everyone and everything else.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer Lists

                 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:2-3)   In connection with what I wrote yesterday about the possibility that I’m wrong, I’m feeling the need to go back to basics - craving spiritual milk because somehow, I missed something. It’s a little embarrassing, craving milk like a newborn, but the truth probably is that we are newborns many times in many ways in our lives. From God’s perspective, we may never be anything more than newborns, forever needing that milk. On the other hand, being a newborn can also be exciting because so much is new. My mind is playing pinball - ricocheting from one idea to the next and through six more before it happens to hit the third again. The main topic is prayer. I have at least seven organizing structures all somewhat influenced by the movie War Room , which I’v...
Post a Comment
Read more