Under Siege Part-7

 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17 ESV)

We have come to the final element of the armor of God, the sword of the Spirit. And Paul doesn't leave it up for debates to determine what it really means. He plainly says: "This is the Word of God". There are so many things about the Word of God that we can mention that it would take a whole series just to cover the surface of its great importance. Talking about the Word of God is a very extensive subject; that's why we'll focus just in a few things. Things that have been laid on my heart and that hopefully,  it will be of great benefit to you.

First of all, I would like to mention that the Greek word for sword in this Ephesian passage is the word "machaira". A kind of sword that it was more like a dagger and it was probably between twelve to eighteen inches long. This weapon was definitely lethal in the hands of a skilful soldier. This sword, although the only defensive element of the armor, it could have also been used offensively, protecting the soldier from a potential deadly blow.

I can't help but think about the experience of Jesus in the wilderness when He was tempted by Satan. He used the Word defensively for every situation Satan presented to Him. In every occasion, Jesus used the expression "it is written", and that is exactly what we should do whenever Satan tries to attack us and tempts us into doing unholy things. 

Let's review what Jesus went through in Matthew 4. In Matthew 4:3, the devil tempts Him to break His fast and Jesus' response in verse 4 is: "it is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,  but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God". In verse 6, he tempts Him to take his own life and in verse 7 He responds: "Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test". And finally, in verse 9, Satan tempts Him with riches and power in exchange for worshiping him and Jesus delivers His final blow in verse 10 : "Be gone, Satan! For it is written,   “‘You shall worship the Lord your God  and   Him only shall you serve". Three times our Lord rebuked Satan with the Word of God effectively. He was a very skilful handler of the sword of the Spirit. What do I say that? Look at what happened to Satan in verse 11: "Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him". Don't you think Jesus is the perfect example to us on how to rightly use the Word of God effectively? Satan left because He kept quoting Scripture to him and never backed down. That's exactly what we should do when temptations arise. Not only in temptations, but in every matter of life that demands the powerful statement: "It is written". The Word is our weapon. When we're anxious, we say: "it is written". When we're depressed, we say: "it is written", when we're lonely, we say: "it is written". When we're fearful, we say: "it is written". Do you get the point? The Word of God is very useful and powerful for every life situation we go through and our knowledge and execution of the Word is our best shot. That's what Jesus taught us in the wilderness. Don't you think it's a good idea to be prepared with the Word of God when we go through our own wilderness? It definitely is!

The Lord also uses His Word to convict us. What does Hebrews 4:12 say? "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart". Haven't you read the Bible on occasions and go: "Wow, that really touched me? Or "Lord, you're right, I need to get better at this, or Lord, forgive me for what I've done?" You see, like Hebrew says, the Word penetrates your soul, it cuts you so hard that sometimes it hurts, but it brings healing to the very core of your being. It's even refreshing when It accomplishes in your soul what It originally intended.

Now, Paul calls it the Sword of the Spirit. Why? Because the Holy Spirit inspired men chosen by God to write the whole Bible. Let's take a look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." Look at all that it can accomplish: 

1) It can teach you.

2) It can reprove you.

3) It can correct you.

4) It can train you.

For what purpose? For the purpose of you, the man or woman of God, to become complete and equipped for every good work. Don't you think that's profitable enough? I think it is! The Word of God can transform your life completely. It can enable you for the work God has already planned for you.

I am amazed at the fact that so many Christian read the Bible like it is a chore; like it is a part of a check list. In reality, it should be the total opposite. It should be the most special time of your day, when God talks to you through the reading of His Word and prayer. No wonder David says: "How sweet are your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103 ESV). The Word of God is delicious! I know sometimes it might not taste that delicious, especially when we are being reproved or corrected, but in the end, there are delicious results, because It accomplishes what It was intended to do and there's no better thing than to be in the very center of the will God. And we get to that center, when listen to what He has to say in His Word and act on it! In this day and age, this is consider revolutionary when in reality, it should be just a matter of simple obedience. The world has changed but neither God nor the Word has. "For I, the Lord, do not change..." (Malachi 3:6). "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35 ESV)

"If we want to know the Glory of God, if we want to experience the beauty of God, and if we want to be used by the hand of God, then we must LIVE in the WORD of God". (David Platt).

Read the Word of God and act on it. It's good for your soul! May the Lord bless you!