Many of us do not know bible verses to quote at the drop of a hat; we are still learning from the Bible. Many mature believers still say they are always learning things from the Bible. In fact, depending on your mood when you're reading a passage - it will 'speak' to you differently.
Our young people are being defeated in spiritual warfare because they don't know the Bible. They don't know its promises, its power and it illuminating effect on every decision needed in life.
The Bible is the most widely distributed book (2.5 billion copies sold) and its the least read book!
To be victorious against demonic spirits we must change this. In the shallow entertainment age where technology is reigning, we expect our pastors to joke and perform on Sundays. We then forget the message taught to us by the end of Sunday and get into our various devices and forget to spend time with ourselves; to get to know God.
Also because of our entertainment distraction we as Christians, tend to integrate ideas from other worldviews and religions and create their own faith system. This is when we really get lost, confused and perhaps thrown into the spiritual wilderness.
In today's culture its even more scary as our kids and youth are discouraged from Christianity and encouraged to embrace every other culture.
We have become part-time Christians. When we do read passages we may misunderstand them or take them out of context because we do not take the time to read and reflect.
By spending time with the Bible (the sword) we can cut down the demons that are distracting us from God's word and be more open to witnessing to others and creating disciples.
We remember our battle is NOT against flesh and blood, it’s spiritual. What can we DO with…
…THE WORD OF GOD?
To answer the question, let’s GO to The Word and see what is says:
Unchanging + Foundational >> “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
Alive + Effective >> “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.” Hebrews 4:12
Wisdom + Knowledge >> “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16
Roadmap + Instructive >> “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
God's Word—the Holy Bible—illuminates. It reveals to us the good and the bad, the wise and the unwise. It is the ultimate tool in learning how to live the best possible life, free from the restraints of stumbling in darkness.
With the Word alone, Jesus overcame the temptation of Satan when He was tempted 40 days in the desert. He showed us, by example, how to use this offensive weapon and strike against the enemy. Two things have NOT changed since that time:
1. Satan’s schemes. He’s still up to no good and out to destroy all of us.
AND
2. The Bible — THE WORD OF GOD. Full of promise and truth. ALIVE through the Holy Spirit.
To activate the sword of the Spirit we must commit The Word to memory and to our hearts. We do this by digging in! We read the Word. We DO the Word.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
God's Word is truth, plain and simple. We can have perfect confidence in the fact that His words are accurate, true and unerring. When followed, they guide us without fail in the paths that we need to walk.
We can be destroyed by lack of the knowledge of God (Hosea 4:6), but we will be blessed if we hear and keep the Word of God (Luke 11:28). And the knowledge is not just for us. We are to be ready to answer others who ask us (1 Peter 3:15).
Why a sword?
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The all-powerful sword of the living God is able to cut through every defense our enemy can raise—down to the very division of bone and marrow. When wielded by a servant of God, nothing can withstand its ability to cut straight to the core of a matter and uncover the truth. As soldiers in God's army, it is our responsibility and duty to use His Word to discern the truth and then follow it. When God's Word shows us something wrong in ourselves, we can use this spiritual weapon to "surgically" remove the offending thoughts and actions (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Unlike all other pieces of the armor of God, which are solely defensive, the sword is uniquely suited for both defensive and offensive roles. A solid defense is invaluable, but the sword is the only way we can complete the work we have been given to do.
Notice that Jesus Christ used the Bible to counter Satan's attacks (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). We must also learn to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
How can we as Christians, fight back?
Acts 14:22
...strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The Romans relied in part on assailing their enemy from a distance with javelins and darts, but God does not give us that option as Christian soldiers. If we were able to fight our battles from a distance, we would never experience an actual trial.
At first glance, that might not seem like such a bad thing. But when we stop to consider that without trials, there is no growth, and without growth, we will not be able to enter God's Kingdom, we see that trials, however uncomfortable, are essential in our journeys as Christians. After all, the promises of Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26 and 3:5, 12 and 21 are given "to him who overcomes" and not "to him who remains as he is."
Paul only lists one weapon because we only need one weapon: There is no enemy the Word of God, coupled with His Spirit, cannot defeat. And so, armed only with our sword, we step out to fight our enemies head-on. The struggle is real. It is immediate, and it is in front of us. Our future in God's Kingdom is on the line, and we take up the battle so that we may hold fast to the future He has promised us.
What promises can we stand on?
Matthew 24:13
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
We fight knowing the end of the story. Two of the many powerful and sure promises in God's Word tell us that if we remain dedicated to God and His Word, we will make it to the end, and we will be saved. There is no doubt in this statement. God's promises are as sure as the one He told Isaiah: "Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:11).
So take up your sword. The battle is ours.
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Questions:
- Are you in the Word + willing to commit it to memory and in your heart? How can this manifest in your life and change you personally + professionally?
- What ways can we sharpen our sword?
- How can we share this knowledge with our children?
source 1 - http://keepingitpersonal.com/2014/03/sword-of-the-spirit/
Sourse 2 - http://ca.100huntley.com/video.php?id=10xSVhdoCq4
