EPISODE 493 – THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 6

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 6

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” 

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)

Of all the armor pieces mentioned, it takes a lot of skill and mastery for a soldier to use the machaira (the sword or sharp-razor dagger).

Before the introduction of the Chinese fire-spurting lances (around the 9th century, which later led to the invention of the hand cannon in the 15th century and then the matchlock guns), one of the most lethal weapons for close combat was the machaira or a sword.

From antiquity, all through to the medieval era, there were different kinds of swords which were invented. Some of these swords were believed to possess ancient powers or supernatural forces and the swordsmen who wielded them were considered legendary.

Right from the First World War, the usage of swords declined drastically. It became a ceremonial weapon. Most people born in the 20th and 21st centuries don’t know the prestige of being known as a skillful swordsman.

This is the point, a few weeks or months of training at a military camp, will turn lower-class soldiers into a capable gunner. But that is different from becoming a highly skilled swordsman or archer. To become one who wields a sword, required lifelong devotion.

To become an exceptional swordsman in battle requires absolute dedication to training.

You cannot become one who effectively wields the sword of the Spirit, without a consistent daily devotion with the Spirit and the word.

The sword of the Spirit is crafted from the Holy Spirit and not with a metal.

As I mentioned, the word of God is used as a sword when you speak them forth. The speaking forth of the word is not only when you quote verses of scriptures.

It must be scriptures, spoken by the spirit of revelation, understanding, spiritual conviction, consciousness and confidence of faith.

Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63).

When you are saturated by the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of the word, you don’t merely quote the scriptures, you speak them forth as life.

It takes intentional devotion to the Holy Spirit and the study of the scriptures to skillfully wield the word of God.

When you are trained to wield the word skillfully, you will know what to say in the face of opposition or adversity.

An evil day may come, but you can withstand all pressures, evil schemes and the wiles of the devil when you have submitted yourself to the training of the word.

This is why the adversary doesn’t launch attacks on you until he succeeds in moving you away from reading the word. In effect, the adversary begins his attacks by making you feel too busy to commune with the Holy Spirit and takes your attention away from meditating on the scriptures.

The adversary will subtly work to move you far away from Bible study meetings, Church meetings, special word conferences, sound teachers of the word etc.

These things the adversary prevents you from, are the things which will make you skillful to wield the word of God.

Though Jesus was the word of God made flesh, He also gave Himself to the studying of the scriptures. (Luke 2:47).

You don’t submit to the training of the word just to win arguments; the training of the word builds you up for victorious living.

Be committed to a lifelong devotion to the Spirit-word.

Selah