And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:17-18).
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:1-4).
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
The most powerful weapon in the universe is the Word of God which is also known as the Sword of the Spirit.
One might ask “How can you even begin to prove such a point?”
The Word of God is Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Jesus Christ is God and He is the Son of God.
The universe was created entirely by God and the Word of God.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:1–3).
We as believers are wise to make it a high priority to read and meditate on the Word of God every day. Reading and meditating on the Word of God daily are ways to wisely use our “Sword.”
And reading and meditating on the Word of God daily is a powerful battle strategy for battling the kingdom of darkness.
One might say or think: “Reading and meditating on the Word of God seems so passive and not at all aggressive. How could this activity possibly be a spiritual warfare battle strategy?”
Well, it is clearly a battle strategy and a very productive one. As a believer spends time reading and meditating on the Word of God, he or she is fortifying their mind, body, and spirit against attacks from the kingdom of darkness.
Also, we are dressing with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–20).
Time reading and meditating on God’s Word prepares us to step out on the battlefield of life to walk in victory.
Wise parents will spend much time strategically equipping their children to read, know, and walk in the wisdom of God’s Word as a lifestyle (Deuteronomy 6:1-9).
So allow me to share seven ways to use the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. This includes the two just mentioned and five more.
Read it, hear it, believe it, speak it, obey it, pray it, and meditate on it.
Putting God’s powerful Word to work in your life daily is not just a nice thing to do. Whether you walk in victory or defeat in life is directly related to how well you learn to use your “Sword.”
Make it your goal to put your Sword to work every day throughout the day.
Like the Lord Jesus did in Matthew 4, boldly speak the Word of God in the face of the temptations and challenges of life. Christ defeated the Devil as He boldly spoke the Word of God. You and I can boldly do the same thing.
Here are a few habits I would suggest we each consider putting to work in our lives and in the lives of our family daily:
- Begin the habit of reading at least three chapters in the Bible daily. Also, parents, begin the habit of having each of your children read at least three chapters out loud to you daily.
- Choose specifically to read over the same chapter at least three times a day.
- Locate many promises in the Word of God. They can be promises that address healing, provision, protection, etc. And very deliberately confess them daily no less than three times each day.
- Pray Psalm 91 every day over you and your family. This is a great example of praying the Word.
Praying Psalm 91 - A Prayer for Protection
Today, I dwell in the secret place of the most High,
and so I abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Today I say of the LORD,
You are my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in You I trust.
Surely you deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
You cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings I trust:
Your truth is my shield and buckler.
And so, I am not afraid for the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flies by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness;
nor for the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand;
but it shall not come near me.
Only with my eyes do I look and see the reward of the wicked.
Because I have made the LORD my refuge, even the most High, my habitation;
No evil befalls me, nor does any plague come nigh my dwelling.
For He gives his angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways.
They bear me up in their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone.
I tread upon the lion and the cobra:
the young lion and the serpent I trample under foot.
Because I have set my love upon Him, therefore He delivers me:
He sets me on high, because I have known His name.
I call upon Him, and He answers me:
He is with me in trouble;
He delivers me, and honors me.
With long life He satisfies me,
and shows me His salvation.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In summary, remember that we are wise to use our Sword, the Sword of the Spirit every day.
However victorious you are in your life can be directly related to how skillfully and faithfully you put your Sword to work – every day.
