3. Sword of the Spirit…
•How would you like to find your
self in a firefight, without a rifle?
•Can you say “sitting duck”?
•Roman soldiers carried a 2ft long
broadsword called a Gladius, and
a double-edged dagger, a Pugio
•All the other pieces of armor were
defensive, now we learn offense…
4. “14…HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and
HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET
WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith
with which you will be able to extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE
HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:14-17, NASB
5. “14…HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and
HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET
WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith
with which you will be able to extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE
HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:14-17, NASB
6. A. Sword of the Spirit…
•Many Believers wear all their Armor, but
never un-sheath their sword
•They may study, compare notes, etc., but
never used it in spiritual battle
• Why is the best defense a good offense?
•Offensive action preoccupies the
opposition and ultimately its ability to
directly harm
•Let’s see how/why we can use the Word
as the Sword of the Spirit…
7. 1.) God’s Word is EFFECTIVE
•The Enemy knows the value of our
Sword, even if we don’t
•He directs attacks towards the Word in
our lives because of above
•How? Interruption of study, hindering
memorization and daily devotion time
•He knows how powerful the above is for
you
8. “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17, NASB
9. So will My word be which goes forth
from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the
matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11, NASB
10. 2.) God’s Word is ACCURATE
•It has proven its accuracy in history,
prophecy, science, and archaeology like
no other book in human history
•It’s the first book Archaeologists look to
•Liberal Biblical Scholars have tried to
discredit it, but history always proves it
•That didn’t work, so they took it out of
schools
11. 5 Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in
Him.
6 Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be
proved a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6, NASB
12. 3.) God’s Word is ALIVE and POWERFUL
•Not just words, but breathed from the
Holy Spirit, a Head of the Triune God!
•Only HE can give understanding,
enabling us to use it properly
•Stephen Hawking
•God can reveal amazing things to you
•Would you go to war with rusty dull
sword?
13. 3.) God’s Word is ALIVE and POWERFUL
•Of course not! Sharper the better!
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of
God is living and powerful, and sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.”
14. Here’s how it actually happens…
After you sin, the Devil will come to you and
whisper, “You failed. There is no forgiveness for you
from God.”
You whip out your Sword and say, “It is written in 1
John 1:9: ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.’”
The devil says, “You are wrong. God condemns
you.”
15. Here’s how it actually happens…
So you strike back with your Sword of the Spirit
and say, “No, you are wrong, because Romans
8:1 says, ‘There is therefore now no
condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus.’”
Then the devil says, “Ha, you are going to fail
again. I am going to take you all the way down
to hell.”
16. Here’s how it actually happens…
Then you say, “No. You are wrong again, Satan.
In John 10:28, Jesus said, ‘And I give them
eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither
shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.’”
Thusly, thrusting your Spirit Sword once again!
See why memorization is so vital?
17. 4.) God’s Word is ESSENTIAL and REVEALING
•Do you read the manual when you buy
new furniture at IKEA?
•The Bible, the Word of God is our Life
Manual to guide us and teach us the
way to walk with the Lord in this
messed-up world
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp
to my feet And a light to my path.”
18. 5.) God’s Word is HOLY
• Though God used over 40 different authors, He
literally breathed the words into them to write down
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy
temple, And praise Your name For Your loving-
kindness and Your truth; For You have magni-
fied Your word above all Your name.
19. B. The Word and the Spirit of God
•If you only focus on the experience with the
H.S., w/o the balance of the Word, there is no
foundation, and you are apt to false teaching
•Lots of Charismatic churches where the Bible
is never opened
•Also, many places where the Word is
believed, but the Spirit is kept at bay
20. Take Home!
1. God’s written Word is the
most important evidence
any person can examine
2. God’s written Word is the
most compelling
information to prepare us
for life after death
