Taking the Offensive - Protestant Caucus/Devotional

"Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). God’s Word is your primary offensive spiritual weapon.

All the armor Paul lists in Ephesians 6 is defensive, with one exception: the sword of the Spirit. That's your offensive weapon for defeating Satan.

We've seen that Roman soldiers carried two swords: the large broadsword and the small dagger. The Greek word translated "sword" in verse 17 refers to the dagger, which was anywhere from six to eighteen inches in length and was carried in a sheath or scabbard at the soldier's side.

The dagger was a common weapon. The Roman soldiers who arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane were each armed with one (Matt. 26:47). Peter used one to cut off the ear of the high priest's servant (Matt. 26:51). A dagger was used to kill James, the brother of John (Acts. 12:2). Hebrews 11:37 tells us that such a weapon was used against the heroes of the faith.

"The sword of the Spirit" isn't a direct reference to the Holy Spirit as such. The implications is that since our enemy is spiritual, our weapons also must be spiritual (2 Cor. 10:4). Our sword is spiritual because it is the Word given by the Holy Spirit. He inspired its writing and through it convicts and redeems sinners (John 16:8; Heb. 4:12-13). The Word abides in you and transforms you. It supplies everything you need for a godly, victorious life. It builds you up and produces holiness (Acts 20:32). And it equips you for good works by teaching, reproving, correcting, and training you in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

The Bible is a powerful and effective weapon. The question is, Do you know how to use it? Do you diligently study it and apply its principles to your life? Do you have a storehouse of biblical truth to draw from in the heat of battle?

The Roman dagger was a precision weapon aimed at a specific spot to produce a specific result. Similarly, the sword of the Spirit is most effective when you apply specific biblical principles to specific situations in your life. Do you do that?

Ask for wisdom in applying what you already know to the decisions and situations you'll face today.

Interesting, too that in the final battle Christ Himself slays the enemy with the Sword of His mouth.

Prayer For Deeper Understand Of God’s Word

Heavenly Father, Who through the power of the Holy Spirit caused all holy scripture to be written for our learning, we pray that we would diligently study Your Word, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest all that You have graciously provided for us, so that we may come to a knowledge of salvation and Your will for our lives.

Open the eyes of our understanding and prepare our hearts by the power of Your Spirit, that we may receive Your Word with much joy and rejoicing and may we leave tonight having a deeper understanding of Who You are.

May we like Job, wonder at Your glory and majesty as we unfold the precious truths that are contained within its pages and may we say like him, “I have heard of You with my ears but now You opened my eyes to spiritual truths and understanding that I never had before.” This we ask in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-deeper-understand-of-god-s-word-970

From a website always open on my phone:

The Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit is also the word of God. Now I’m sure you’re thinking didn’t we put on the word of God already? This is different from the Belt of Truth. The Sword is the spoken word of God. The Belt of Truth is what you read and what you know the bible says while the sword of the Spirit is when you speak out aloud the word of God. As you study the bible you will have more scriptures that you can speak in battle.

Jesus himself showed us how to use the Sword of the Spirit when He was being tempted by the devil. We see this in Matthew 4 or Luke 4. Here is an excerpt.

Luke 4:4 “But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

We see that Jesus answered. This is something that was spoken aloud. When you use the Sword of the Spirit you are speaking God’s word out aloud and we need to do this as a part of our warfare against the enemy.

So you see putting on the armor of God is going to protect you from the enemy. Please notice there is no coverage for your back because the bible doesn’t tell you to run from your enemy. It tells you to STAND. Stand so you can see the salvation of the Lord. You are not to be afraid or terrified because you are protected. Just go back and read how many times the word “stand” appears in the text.

When you enter into a war with your armor on the demons as well as the angels can see that you are protected. They know that you are prepared so they are more likely to flee because they know you are not being caught off guard. You won’t be running but they will!

Deutoronomy 28 7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”

https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/2014/02/putting-armor-god-prayer/

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