Sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6:17

In spiritual warfare as in physical warfare, the effectiveness of any weapon is directly proportionate to the efficiency of the one operating it. For this reason, during a late, great war, the U.S. Army assigned a new recruit one rifle which he kept throughout his training. It became a part of him. The recruit handled the rifle continually, disassembling, and reassembling it. He cleaned it. He conducted basic maintenance. He carried it 12 hours a day. When crossing rivers or streams his head might have gotten wet, but his rifle had to stay dry.

Six months later in the heat of battle, the soldier knew every inch of it – every mechanism. He understood things that could malfunction and how to remedy them. He could break it down and reassemble it in just seconds, blindfolded. Man and weapon had become a synchronized and deadly, efficient fighting machine.

The spiritual warrior’s proficiency with his weapon should be no less remarkable. But quite sadly, if believers had to rely on their own Bible familiarity in life and death situations, the majority would helplessly perish. – E-sword

This evening we are going to examine the Believer’s spiritual sword.

Transition

To help us take the sword of the Spirit there are three questions that we ought to first answer.

Of What Significance Was the Soldier’s Sword?

First let’s look at the design of the soldier’s sword
1. Most swords were relatively short
  1. This was more like we would think of a dagger
  2. Ehud’s sword was only a cubit long (Jud 3:16).
2. Swords were made of brass or iron.
3. With many swords, both edges were sharp.
Swords were used in hand-to-hand combat
1. Held by the soldier he used it both to attack and to block.
  1. In this kind of battle one must kill or be killed. He must be more skilled than his opponent.
  2. The soldier then must be expert in using his sword if he is to live through the battle.
2. When not in use the sword often hung on the girdle (belt).

How Does God Apply the Sword to Spiritual Warfare?

The Bible is the Holy Spirit’s sword.
1. The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible.
  2 Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
2. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Bible
  1 Corinthians 2:13 “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
3. The Holy Spirit convicts with the Bible
  Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
4. The Holy Spirit defends truth with the Bible.
  Jesus used this weapon when he was tempted. Three times he said, “It is written.” (Mt 4:4, 7, 10)
We must use the Bible against the wiles of the devil
1. The Bible is our only offensive weapon.
  1. We must be able to skilfully use it not just carry it.
  2. With our Bible/sword, we can attack the enemy as well as block his blows.
2. The Bible can teach us how to respond to temptation.
  2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
3. The Bible can expose false doctrine.
  Galatians 1:8-9 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
4. The Bible can calm our doubts.
  Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
5. The Bible can drive away our fears.
  Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

How Can We Take the Spirit’s Sword Which is the Word of God?

First we must know the Bible well enough to use it
A man was seated on a park bench when a little chap of about five sat down beside him and started winding what appeared to be a most prized possession– a watch. “My, what a pretty watch,” remarked the man. “Does it tell you the time?” “No sir,” replied the boy; “you gotta look at it.” In a similar way, the Bible will not tell us how to defeat our enemy if we don’t look at it and find appropriate verses that can defend us in time of temptation.
1. We must let the Bible dwell in us richly (inhabit us abundantly). Diligently find verses that will cut down Satan’s lies when he attacks. These verses need to be specific to your weak areas.
  Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
2. We must meditate on the Bible regularly.
  Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
3. We must hide the Bible in our hearts. Set a goal and do it.
  Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
4. We must heed (obey) the Bible.
  Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Then we must use the Bible to stand against Satan.
1. Be able to quote appropriate verses when tempted
  Barnes: “A single text of Scripture is better to meet a temptation than all the philosophy which the world contains. The tempter can reason, and reason plausibly too. But he cannot resist a direct and positive command of the Almighty.”
  
  Clarke: “An ability to quote this on proper occasions, and especially in times of temptation and trial, has a wonderful tendency to cut in pieces the snares of the adversary.”
2. This is exactly what Jesus did. We must follow his example.
  Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Conclusion

The Bible is the power behind your defensive armour. It will protect us from Satan’s blows, if we put it on. However, the Bible is also the power of God that will cut to shreds the Devil’s lures and lies and chase him away (James 4:7). It will keep him at a safe distance.

How well are you able to handle the Spirit’s sword – the Bible? Do you know verses that will cause Satan to flee when he attacks your weakness? Do you have them memorised? All of us could and should work to improve our knowledge and use of the Bible.

Song: Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart, 177
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Sword of the Spirit
24 August 2014 PM – Ephesians 6:17b – Eph 14 – Scott Childs