The Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17, NIV A friend recently commented that she was prone to stabbing herself with the sword of the Spirit, rather than making an impact on the enemy! Part of our armour, or protection, which is described in Ephesians Chapter 6, is the sword, which is like a very large knife, sharp on both sides. It cuts into any enemy argument, lie or attack. But of course we must learn how to handle it correctly, just as we are careful with viciously sharp knives in our home.

It made me smile when my friend said she stabbed herself with the sword of the Spirit. What she meant was this: she had been repeating the Word of God but in her heart she wasn't sure she really meant it. She believed she had to be positive and only speak positive words, so instead of bringing to the Lord Jesus her fears, doubts and discouragements, she tried to ignore them and she ended up quoting Scripture like wishful thinking. Unfortunately it was only her own heart which was being cut. She felt she was hurting herself by denying the reality of what her experience really was.

God doesn't want us to pretend. The belt of truth tells us that (another part of the armour in Ephesians 6). The Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit because we need the Holy Spirit to help us. And remember that he is the Spirit of truth. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth (John 16:13). From that place of reality, when we are being real with God about how we feel, the Holy Spirit will then show us which part of the Word of God to hold on to (which part is the handle of the sword for you today).

God's Word is sharper than any sword and it divides between soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). And it is given to us to stop the enemy from hurting us in any way. The Holy Spirit will teach you how to hold it and use it to defeat everything that comes against you. Everything that makes you feel afraid, low, defeated or distressed. Why not ask him today to show you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your powerful Word. Praise Your name for the blessing I hold in my hands when I read it. Please help me to be real with You in my prayers, and please send Your Holy Spirit to help me as I read and apply Your Word. I would like to learn from You every day. Thank You so much. Amen.
Today's Writer : Grace Marshall Grace Marshall is a Doctor in General Practice near Southampton. In her spare time she is a member of the Ellel Ministries associate ministry team and teacher. Her passion is relationship with God and doing anything that will help other people to find that close relationship too.