6. The sword of the Spirit (cont’d)
The sword of the Spirit is both a defensive weapon able to deflect the blows of Satan and it is an offensive weapon for inflicting blows because it is the very power of God. When Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days Satan tempted Jesus 3 times and each time He defeated Satan by quoting Scripture. Jesus left this example for us to follow. Jesus left the Bible for us to use to defeat Satan and his demons. God would not leave us defenseless against so powerful an enemy. Scripture is the living and active power of God. The Word of God is so powerful that it transfers men and women from the realm of falsehood to that of truth, from the realm of darkness to that of light, and from the realm of sin and death to that of righteousness and life.
The Word of God changes sadness to joy, despair into hope, stagnation into growth, childishness into maturity, and failure into success. Millions of Christians have given this testimony. The rest of the world’s religions remain silent because they are all fake and have nothing to offer except to lead people away from the truth of our God. Every time God’s Word leads a person to salvation it demonstrates its power to cut a swath through Satan’s dominion of darkness and bring light to a darkened soul. We must study God’s Word in depth in order to use this formidable weapon with great skill. Skill takes practice and discipline. The Bible is God’s wisdom which can be ours for the asking. Our charge is to use God’s Word for the glory of God and the furthering of His kingdom.
In summary, the armor of God consists of:
1. The knowledge of God’s Word gained through personal study.
2. Obedience to God’s commands in order to be holy before the Lord.
3. Actively spreading the gospel of Christ per the Great Commission that Jesus gave all disciples.
4. Having faith in who Jesus is and trusting His promises.
5. Trusting in God to be our Rock through whom we have the blessed hope of salvation, eternal life in heaven.
6. The very power of God through His Word to resist Satan and assault the powers of darkness.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.