Weapons Training: The Sword of the Spirit

(9th article in The Armor of God Series)


Up to this point, we’ve trained in armor that is defensive in nature.  In this session, we’ll train with an OFFENSIVE weapon, The Sword of the Spirit.

The Sword of the Spirit let’s us go on the attack when Satan tempts us.  We use it to deal with our thought life.

This is how the Bible expresses it:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5

So how do we do that?  How do we take our thoughts captive so Satan can’t constantly mess with us?

The Bible gives us a three step process.

Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

The Bible tells us to:

1.  Submit ourselves to God.
2.  Resist the Devil.
3.  He will flee.

Let’s use the example of anger from the Helmet of Salvation session:

Remember:


When we deal with anger using The Sword of the Spirit, this is what it would look like:


This is the same process Jesus used when He was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness.

The devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”  Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Matthew 4:8-10

Jesus resists Satan through scripture showing His submission to God, then He tells the Devil to flee.

Jesus uses the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

You can too.  Whatever area of your life is being attacked you can go on the OFFENSIVE by using scripture to get Satan off your back.

Having a tough time at work?  Is your marriage under strain?  Anytime you feel an overwhelming presence forcing your hand, consider that Satan is nearby encouraging a negative outcome.

What I do is search the scripture for help.  Do a word search for whatever problem that is overwhelming you.

In the example above, ANGER was the problem.  A quick word search using the tools at Bible Gateway.com will uncover dozens of scriptures you can use to get Satan off your back.  One such verse is the following:

A fool gives vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29:11

When you get overly angry, just tell Satan to “back off” and then ask the Lord to help you get your anger under control.  Put on The Helmet of Salvation (last session) and move forward.

Using the Sword of the Spirit to Persevere

Not only do we use the Sword of the Spirit to repel Satan when he attacks, but we also use it as our GUIDE in truth.

You see, you can use scripture here and there to defeat Satan on an individual basis, but if you want to OVERCOME in the area he is attacking you, you have to PERSIST in the truth of the scripture you’ve spoken to him.

This is what the Apostle Paul is saying in Hebrews 6:

We want each of you to show this same DILIGENCE to the very end, so that what you HOPE for may be fully realized.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through FAITH and PATIENCE inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:11-12

Do you see the key words there?  Diligence.  Hope.  Faith.  Patience.  If you want to REALIZE your hope, you have to persist.

You have to let Satan know that he isn’t going to win this thing.  You have to let him know that you are going to trust God for the final outcome.  You have to let him know that you are going to put on the Armor of God, that you are going to STAND YOUR GROUND.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND YOUR GROUND, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13

If you stand your ground, what can you expect?

1.  You can expect to suffer.

You will suffer because Satan is going to challenge you.  He will try to make you back off.  He will try to put fear in you.  But this is God’s promise to those who take their STAND:

NO weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17

God says that NO weapon forged against you will prevail.

God’s promise is that if you persist in His word (Sword of the Spirit), you will succeed.

2.  You can expect peace and joy.

When we persist in the Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) we will experience peace and joy.  We may not SEE immediate results with our physical eyes, but we know it’s coming based on God’s word.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

3.  You can expect fruit.

Fruit is the end result of trusting God.  Fruit yields itself in DUE SEASON.  Don’t get upset if you don’t see the fruit of your “stand” right away.  PERSIST.  Victory will come.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit IN SEASON and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3

This completes Weapons Training.

In our next session, we’ll begin Chivalry Training.  A Knight of the King has certain qualities.  Courage, honor, courtesy, justice and a readiness to help the weak.  We’ll take a look at how to bring these qualities into our lives.

Synopsis

Piece of Armor:  The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)

Concept:
1.  Use scripture to counter attack Satan.
2.  An offensive weapon.

Action needed to put on piece of armor:
1.  Memorize scripture.  See my article, How To Get the Most Out of the Bible.
2.  Use the submit, resist and flee concept.