6. The sword of the Spirit:
We have previously covered the three permanent pieces of armor to be worn by Christians which are the knowledge of God’s Word, obedience to God’s commands and taking action by going forth to spread the gospel of Christ. Then we mentioned the two additional pieces of armor to be taken up as needed which are faith in the promises of God and the blessed hope of our salvation, eternal life in heaven in fellowship with God. The Roman foot soldier’s primary weapon for hand-to-hand combat was an 18 inch common sword carried in a scabbard attached to their belt and always at hand ready to use. The Christian’s primary weapon against Satan is the Bible. The Apostle Paul makes it clear this last piece of God’s armor is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
The Bible is the believer’s supreme piece of armor. The Bible can deflect the blows of Satan and is the Christian’s best defensive weapon. For those who know God’s Word the Bible is also an effective offensive weapon against the powers of darkness. But God’s Word is effective only if handled with precision and applied at the exact point of Satan’s attack. Think of yourself as a doctor in the spiritual world and you scalpel is the Word of God. If you don’t know God’s Word intimately there’s no way you can use it effectively against Satan. Satan does know God’s Word and we must know it too. Satan will always attack us where we are weak, uninformed or confused.
John 14:7 – The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
1 Joh 2:20 – But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
1 John 2:27 – But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.