Ephesians 17
To be a christian is to be a warrior. We cannot expect to find ease in this world because it is a battlefield. Paul explains in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Our occupation is war and to think otherwise would be like a fool who goes out with no armor everyday. As we put on the pieces everyday, it prepares me for warfare. I hold on to the Truth, I am plated with righteousness, ready at any moment to give an account to those who ask of the faith as I walk in the salvation, knowing that I am loved, makes me want to do the very best for Him.
Ephesians 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8 “ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”
The helmet of salvation protects us against discouragement, against the desire to give up, giving us hope.
“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
To effectively use the sword of the Spirit, we can’t regard the Bible as a book of charms or tie one around your neck the way garlic is said to drive away vampires.
We must regard it as the Word of God, if we are not confident in the inspiration of scripture, that the sword really came from the spirit, then how could we use it effectively?
We also must take the sword of the Spirit in the sense of depending that He helps us to use it. Not only did the spirit give us the scriptures but also he makes them alive to us (or us alive to them) and He equips us with the right thrust of the sword at the right time.
We are not only to take a helmet to protect the head but also a sword. The Lord has not given us orders to be quiet and to take matters lightly, no; we are to pray always, and watch constantly.
///Relationship Application\\\
We cannot make it without God, so that means that we cannot make it without His Word.“It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
///Discussions/Questions\\\
Jesus was tempted in every way that man is tempted. But He did not sin, even though He was God, He was still tempted. But He defeated the enemy by not being passive minded but by speaking the Word of God which is sharper than any two edged sword!
///Challenge\\\
Distractions. Excuses. Tools of the enemy to have no time to read His Word. Lay aside the distractions and make it a point everyday to get into The Word.
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