Have you ever been in a situation when you felt you needed a word from the Lord, but you didn’t know which word you needed? Have you ever ran to your Bible, open it up, then let your finger fall down on a verse hoping that it was exactly what you needed for that season? I’ve been there before and will probably try it again in desperation some day. Let me tell you though, it hasn’t worked for me – ever. Today I want to look at the Sword of the Spirit and help us to understand how God can help us effectively use this offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6.
Paul encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the Armor of God. This armor will help us when Satan attacks us from all sides. Ephesians 6 reminds us that this armor is very much needed because our real battle is being fought with an enemy that we cannot see. We see the results in the form of addictions, discouragement, pain, and heartache. The very last article of the armor of God mentioned is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The word translated “word” is not the Greek word logos, which would refer to the written word. Instead, Paul uses the Greek wordrhema. This is really powerful so get ready for the reason because it is going to open up new truth to you today.
Had Paul used the word logos in this verse, he would have implied a “sweeping stroke” against the enemy, and this would never do. You see, the word logos – although broad, heavy, wonderful, and full of general direction for our lives – is not sufficient to deal the enemy a fatal blow. Sometimes we need to stab the enemy, not just do a blanket sweeping stroke. By using the word rhema, Paul was referring to a specific, quickened word from the Scriptures, placed into our hearts and hands by the Holy Spirit. When this takes place we have real sword power to use against the enemy.
The Roman army was continually practicing the arts of warfare. They had a daily sword practice. They would practice with swords that were two times heavier than the ones they actually used in battle. This prepared them for when they would have a real encounter. Needless to say, they were ready because they were in shape and overly prepared.
When you go to passages like Luke 4:3-13 where Jesus encountered the enemy of our soul, you can see where these two Greek words for “word” come alive. The word that Jesus used to counteract the attack of the enemy was not three pages long. All that is needed to kill the enemy is sometimes a mere two-inch penetration. In this case, one very small rhema from the Lord had the power to do the adversary in. When Satan was on the attack, Jesus doesn’t just say, “Get out of here.” Instead, He stabs the devil repeatedly with direct blows! Jesus had a specific, quickened rhema from the Holy Spirit.
After the devil tempted Jesus with food, Jesus drew the sword that the Holy Spirit put in His hand (a rhema) and said, “…It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (v. 4). To this stabbing sword of the Spirit, the enemy had no response. Each temptation that was thrown at Jesus, His response was a word (rhema) from God. After the third temptation, the devil ran. He was no match for the Word of God. He had nothing to counter with. How powerful is that?
Just like Jesus, you are equipped with all the armor of God, and this includes the sword of the Spirit. As long as you do your sword drills in the morning, and get equipped, there is no battle that will be a real threat to you. As you are faithful in saturating in the Word of God, you are giving fuel to the Spirit of God who lives inside of you. The Holy Spirit is faithful and will place in your heart and hands the exact rhema you need to put the devil on the run.
What a great day we had this past Sunday. I always enjoy hearing the testimony of people as they are baptized. This Sunday we will be receiving people into membership of the church and honoring our Chinese graduates. I will be preaching from Galatians 6 and finishing our series on this great letter from Paul.
Join with me as we prepare to come and be inspired to new heights this Sunday.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
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