17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,1
The final piece of the believer’s armor is the Sword of the Spirit! Paul tells us very clearly what is meant by this sword. The Sword of the Spirit is none other than the Word of God!
Paul wasn’t referring to the long sword usually carried by the Roman soldier into battle. He was referring to a short sword that the soldier kept attached to his side at all times. This sword was both a defensive and an offensive weapon. It was a double-edged blade used in all sorts of conflicts. It is much like the way the writer to the Hebrews declared the Bible being "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword."
When we wield the Word of God rightly, we can resist or defend against the evil one much as our Lord did during His wilderness temptations (James 4:7; Matthew 4:1-11).
Offensively, we can use it to expose the lies of Satan when we train regularly in how to wield the Sword of Truth! When we know the truth of God’s Word, and believe it by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm upon the truth of God in all circumstances.
Why are we so easily defeated? In our day, we have an information overload. We digest a lot of Bible knowledge! The problem we face is that we don’t marinate on the Word. Our knowledge has far surpassed our obedience.
If we are going to stand firm in the evil day, then we have to begin taking the Word of God as the Word of God again. We like to wield a Word of God in a way that suits our own cultural and moral desires rather than obey what it says so plainly. Christian run in such a way that your obedience catches up to your knowledge, then you will stand firm as you wield the Sword of the Spirit! Meditate upon this!
Today's Devotional was contributed by Pastor Wayne Sullivan.
(If you are associated with Ephesus Baptist Church and would like to contribute a devotional to our blog, then send us a devotional of 350 words or less to pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com)
Read more of our devotions and other articles at our Pastor's Blog!
If you would like to be added to our informational email list, contact us at office.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Please let us know what you think about today's devotion, or how it has helped you grow spiritually by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page below this devotion. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Please consider helping Ephesus Baptist Church advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ by donating to the mission at ebcspringhope.com/give.
The Sword of the Spirit
The Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,1
The final piece of the believer’s armor is the Sword of the Spirit! Paul tells us very clearly what is meant by this sword. The Sword of the Spirit is none other than the Word of God!
Paul wasn’t referring to the long sword usually carried by the Roman soldier into battle. He was referring to a short sword that the soldier kept attached to his side at all times. This sword was both a defensive and an offensive weapon. It was a double-edged blade used in all sorts of conflicts. It is much like the way the writer to the Hebrews declared the Bible being "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword."
When we wield the Word of God rightly, we can resist or defend against the evil one much as our Lord did during His wilderness temptations (James 4:7; Matthew 4:1-11).
Offensively, we can use it to expose the lies of Satan when we train regularly in how to wield the Sword of Truth! When we know the truth of God’s Word, and believe it by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm upon the truth of God in all circumstances.
Why are we so easily defeated? In our day, we have an information overload. We digest a lot of Bible knowledge! The problem we face is that we don’t marinate on the Word. Our knowledge has far surpassed our obedience.
If we are going to stand firm in the evil day, then we have to begin taking the Word of God as the Word of God again. We like to wield a Word of God in a way that suits our own cultural and moral desires rather than obey what it says so plainly. Christian run in such a way that your obedience catches up to your knowledge, then you will stand firm as you wield the Sword of the Spirit! Meditate upon this!
Today's Devotional was contributed by Pastor Wayne Sullivan.
(If you are associated with Ephesus Baptist Church and would like to contribute a devotional to our blog, then send us a devotional of 350 words or less to pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com)
Read more of our devotions and other articles at our Pastor's Blog!
If you would like to be added to our informational email list, contact us at office.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Please let us know what you think about today's devotion, or how it has helped you grow spiritually by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page below this devotion. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Please consider helping Ephesus Baptist Church advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ by donating to the mission at ebcspringhope.com/give.
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph. 6:17.