Day Thirty-Seven : (The Sword of the Spirit)

Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17

Just as we had to keep moving our shield, we need to keep moving our (S)word.  We have gaps in our armour.  If it were not so, we would not be able to move.

Sometimes the enemy might be able to penetrate those gaps.  We need to know beforehand where they are, and move our Sword to protect them.

If I know that I might doubt my Salvation, I need to be prepared with verses that assure me of it.

If I know that I might doubt the power of Righteousness, I need to be prepared with verses about it.

If I know that I am easily led into doubt, I need to be prepared with verses to give me hope.

We need to keep moving our sword around, and using it where it is most needed.  We cannot assume one position, and hope the enemy will throw himself on our sword.  Just as we can’t assume that one verse about Salvation will solve all our problems. 

Every verse is used in a different way, or position.  And we need to be prepared to keep using them, until the enemy is defeated.

Day Thirty-Five : Taking lessons (Sword of the Spirit)

Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17

Do you know how to use a sword?

Yeah, me neither.  I mean I know the basics – Handle goes in my hand, pointy end goes in the enemy.  But I think there might be more to being a great sword-fighter than that.

Roman soldiers received training in using their sword, and they practised all the time.

We are lucky, because the Sword we wield is the Sword of the Spirit.  It is a weapon used by the Holy Spirit Himself. 

So sometimes we might not know how to use it.  We might need some instructions.  But that is cool, because if we ask him to, he will show us how to use it.

So I always pray before opening my Bible that the Spirit will open my heart and mind, and show me how to use the word that I am reading.

In the same way, sometimes the Spirit might lead us to a verse to be used in a situation.  Because He not only trains us in times of peace, but also helps us in times of war. 

 

So practise with your sword, and listen to what the Sword-master tells you.  One day it might save your life.

Day Thirty-Four : Get in close with (The Sword of the Spirit)

Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17

We spoke yesterday about not needing any other weapons.  Our (S)word is enough.

The reason Roman soldiers carried other weapons, such as spears and darts, was so that they could engage the enemy from afar.  Defeat them before they got close enough to do damage.

We don’t get to do that.  The sword is a close up weapon.  It doesn’t do us any good from far away, we can only use it once we are face-to-face with the enemy.

We need to be ready to pull it out and use it at a moment’s notice.

Is your sword ready?  Do you know how to use it?

Day Thirty-Two : The Sword of the Spirit

Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17

It doesn’t matter how good your armour is, if you don’t have an offensive weapon, you are just a large, well-armoured, moving target. 

Taking up the Sword is important, because it takes the fight to the enemy.