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THE WEAPON OF THE WORD
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Ephesians 6:10-18
This passage teaches us about the armor of God and spiritual warfare. In it, we are instructed to wear various pieces of armor that are described as protection against the principalities and powers — the wicked ones.
These are weapons of defense. They include the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth (which would be the Word since God’s Word is Truth), shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, prayer and one offensive weapon — the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).
A sword is a weapon with which one attacks an enemy. A sword in the sheath is of no value. It must be wielded, or taken from the sheath and appropriately used. The Word of God is the believer’s sword, and he must learn to apply it accurately.
The Amplified Bible states in Ephesians 6:17 that it is the Spirit Who wields the sword. What does this mean? I believe it means that the Holy Spirit in the believer knows exactly what Scripture to use in every situation.
He knows precisely what type of attack the believer is encountering, even what type of demon is assigned to bring destruction or torment.
In my own life I find that when I am faced with problems or challenges, Scriptures or Scripture-based songs will rise up within me. I have learned to speak them out, sing them or meditate on them even when I do not particularly know what may be transpiring in the spiritual realm.
The Holy Spirit will often protect an individual against attack even before the attack becomes evident to him if he has learned to wield the sword of the Spirit. As he does so, the Holy Spirit applies the right Scripture to the problem.
For example, if a person feels grouchy and impatient, Scriptures on prosperity won’t help him. But Scriptures on kindness, love and not being moved by feelings will strengthen him and help him walk in victory abovehis feelings.
