2009-06-12 - The Sword of the Spirit

The Spiritual Warfare Series, Part 11

There are a number of different types of swords used by the military. This one is “the gladius (Gr., machaira ) or short two-edged cut-and-thrust sword wielded by the heavily armed legionary.” ₁₁

Truth used as a weapon is the only way we are called to go on the offense against the attacks of Satan. It was in this way, that the Christ stood against his attacks. How did He stand? … by saying “It is written …”

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).

“Now, as the sword, the Word is useful both for defense and for offense. … It both defends and protects us, but it also pierces other hearts and destroys the lies of the Devil in others besides ourselves. That is its great effect.The Word is the only proper offense that the Christian has. He is to proclaim the truth. He does not need to defend it; he does not need to support it with long and extensive arguments. There is a place for that, but not in an encounter with those who disbelieve. He is to proclaim  it, simply to declare it. As the Scripture says in Hebrews:” ₁₂

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (4:12).

“It gets below the reason and pierces the armor that has been erected against it and comes home to the heart. Thus it has power in itself.” ₁₃

We don’t fight the battle by trying to play “twenty questions” with demons, by binding Satan, by using “magic and superstition.” Rather, we fight the battle by standing firm, appropriating all we have and are in Christ, and attacking with the Truth of Scripture. And underlying all of this are the …prayers of the saints, to be studied in the next installment.

Comments or Questions?
Geoff

GKragen@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

Additional studies by Geoff
Podcasts of Studies in Matthew can be found at www.GKragen.com