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Take the...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Now then, there are two schools of thought on what this 'sword' represents. One is, that it is the words of God, as in the Bible, which is the perspective we will take today.
Today's discussion is quite different from the other parts of this passage. The other items mentioned, the full armor, the belt of truth, the breastplate, the gospel of peace and the shield of faith are all defensive items.
A sword however, is an offensive weapon, and this sword is the word of God.
This passage has been misrepresented at times, I think, to turn the Scriptures into a weapon with which to batter other people. We must remember that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. While the Word of God may be used for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training people, it is always to love and never to harm.
How then, is this sword to be used? Consider the story in Jude, about Michael the Archangel , invoking God's Word to rebuke Satan...or consider Jesus dealing with Satan in the wilderness.
The idea is, that we are not, of our own accord, equipped to deal any damage to the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms...but the Word of God is more than adequate.
Consider a few of these tools:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. Are you confident in using this sword?
3. What else might the sword be?
May we use His Word as He sees fit. Pastor Jim
"There is no better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit."
D.L. Moody
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