The Sword Of The Spirit

  The powers of darkness are all around.  The enemy of your soul lurks in the increasingly dark regions of his borrowed kingdom where, for now, you must live and breathe.  His evil cohorts are never far away and their imaginations are always filled with masterfully devised plans to lure you into the quagmires of sin and death.  Sound like the beginning of a fictitious novel?  It’s Not!  These are biblical facts; a spiritual battle rages for your soul, and the enemy is never far away.  Your only hope is to accept the deliverance offered through Jesus Christ.  As a follower of Christ, you are guaranteed eternal life and power to stand against the enemy today!  

  The sixth chapter of Ephesians describes our supernatural enemy: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12).”   In that same context you’ll find a description of our divinely issued armor and weaponry.   Verse 17 refers to the “Sword of the Spirit,” our only offensive weapon.  The text itself reveals that this sword is in fact, the Word of God.  “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17b).” 

  This Sword was carried by Christ Himself, our Great Commander, while He paced the dusty paths of earth almost 2000 years ago.  He taught us how to wield it when He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil in Matthew 4.  His experience there teaches us that our Sword’s full potential cannot be realized as long as it is bound in leather and carried in our hands.  The Sword of the Spirit must be sheathed in our hearts.  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11).”

  My Christian friend, when the enemy of your soul draws near to thrust his fiery darts, you are not left without resources with which to fight back—unless of course you have failed to sheath your Sword.   Fill your heart and mind with the powerful Word of God—quickly now, the enemy is at hand!