Most of the armor we have discussed thus far has been for protection; but, REAL success is achieved by learning to take the battle to the house of the enemy. To achieve this, God has issued us a magnificent sword—His Word. Paul wrote:
“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…And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…”
Ephesians 6:10-18
Can you imagine a more powerful weapon than the sword of the Holy Spirit?
After we are born again, we are issued a sword and commanded to arm ourselves. When we engage the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” we enter into the remarkable power of the Trinity. The Bible reveals the remarkably powerful force of His Word. This list is by no means exhaustive—but it inspired me to learn to use my powerful sword and keep it strapped on:
- Jesus IS the Word; and indeed, in the beginning all things were created when God spoke the Word. (John 1; Genesis 1) Can you imagine a force more powerful than that which spoke all things into being???
- Jesus deployed the Word when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. To each of Satan’s efforts to lead Him into sin, Jesus replied, “it is written..” and then proceeded to quote Scripture to destroy Satan’s temptations. (Matthew 4:1-11) Jesus thought the best weapon against Satan was His Word. Makes me wonder why I haven’t used it more!
- God’s Word carries an independent power to lay open the inner thoughts and motivations of the heart of EVERY human:
“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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13
God’s Word has the power to reveal the thoughts and intents of EVERY person. When we READ it or SPEAK it, we are given God’s knowledge and perspective into what is unknown by our human minds. Wow!
- God’s Word is absolute truth. (John 17:17) Jesus told us HE is the truth. (John 14:6) This truth may be used to FREE mankind from the slavery of lies. Nothing else can do this! (John 8:32) It frees US if we follow it. It can set OTHERS free if we share it.
Isn’t it remarkable that God has given us such a powerful weapon???
God’s Word is the key to our success!
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt MEDITATE therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to ALL that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou SHALL have good SUCCESS.”
Joshua 1:8
So WHAT are we doing with GOD’s Word???
Is it laying on the bedside table covered in dust? Or are we carrying it with us? Keep in mind, this does not necessarily mean carrying around your 10-inch Bible everywhere you go to show everyone how spiritual you are! No—that would be like me taking the 2-inch thick book on the Rules of Evidence and the Rules of Civil Procedure to court to try a case but having no idea how to use what’s in them. Then every time an evidentiary or procedural issue came up I would have to stop the trial to look up the rule. I would be a completely ineffective advocate and would have little credibility or power.
God COMMANDS us to be ALWAYS READY to give an answer for our hope:
“…Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be READY ALWAYS to give an ANSWER to every man that asketh you a REASON of the HOPE that is in you with meekness and fear.”
1 Peter 3:15
My friend, do you know how to use your sword? Can you share the Gospel? Can you answer the hard questions of life from a Biblical world view? We must train. We must learn to use our sword, so when we are on the battlefield we are equipped for any situation. God’s Word must be so important to us that it is like our oxygen—we never want to be without it.
When God’s Word is the GREATEST influence on how we THINK, what we SPEAK, and what we DO—we become mightily armed with the SAME weapon that defeated Satan!
My friend, we are in a spiritual warfare! Each one of us is either a liability or an asset. No one is neutral. We each need massive and disciplined training to know how to properly handle the Sword of the Spirit.
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
II Timothy 2:4,15
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
When we are skillful with the sword of God’s Word, we take the fight to the enemy’s fortress and we demolish his strongholds!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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5 Responses
I pray and ii try to get to know God and have a personal relationship with him but it seems it’s not going nowhere I’ve asked for forgiveness and I know Jesus died on the cross for our sins but I just don’t know if he came back today that I would go to heaven
Hi. I lot of people struggle with this. I certainly did! I’d like to help. Can you tell me why you believe you would NOT go to heaven? That will help me understand your thinking.
Fantastic reading of our lord and savior’s sword !!! The sharpest double edged blade ever!!! We learn how to use it every time we open it!!!
Gofaithstrong I thank you for giving me this opportunity to learn and share this reading and lesson on the sword of God.
What a blessing to be on this journey! Thanks for blessing me with your encouragement!