E77 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Armor of GOD - Sword of the Spirit - 7 of 7
Hope’s Harbor
Gritty Bible Devotions
Episode #77
Title: Armor of GOD – Sword of the Spirit – 7 of 7
Date: October 24, 2022
Contact: info@hopesharbor.net
Key verse(s): Ephesians 6:17b – ‘And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;’
Intro: I realized when studying and writing the notes for this episode how much I depend on GOD’s Spirit to give power to the reading and application of His Word. You see, a word is first formed in the mind and is therefore an expression of the mind that forms it.
By this, we know GOD’s Word is an expression of what is on His mind. This is incredible! To know we have the thoughts of Almighty GOD the Father, Almighty GOD the Son, and Almighty GOD the Spirit available to us in the Bible. Not every bible mind you. Some have been changed when revised by well-meaning people who tried to translate not only the words but also interpret the thought behind the words.
That is okay for commentaries, but not when presenting a version as accurately depicting every word of GOD.
GOD’s Word was a sword that cut through the darkness surrounding me when I refused to believe my need for salvation. I thank GOD, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for using His Word to pierce my heart and bring me to repentance.
And now, The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of GOD – What does this imply to you? Why this verse? What else other than what I mentioned earlier did Paul intend for us to learn by likening GOD’s Word to a sword?
It is written in Hebrews 4:12 – ‘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.’
Let’s take a look at this description in Hebrews and see if we can gain insight into the sword aspect of GOD’s Word, and learn how to wield it effectively.
Devotion focus: To learn the effectiveness of GOD’s Word through the kind of prayer that cuts through the darkness and deceit of Satan.
First, the Word of GOD is quick, meaning live, or alive. It is the living Word of GOD.
Second, it is powerful, meaning it is effective. This is taken from a root word meaning the word works. It is implied the word works when applied. A sword is meant to be wielded.
Third, this sword is sharp. It cuts and by the definition, in Greek, the sharp ability of GOD’s Word is to be used repeatedly, not just a single blow. This means an ongoing effort, and probably lifelong is necessary.
Finally, GOD’s Word goes to where science and philosophy cannot intrude. It divides our soul and spirit and reveals the thoughts and intentions of our minds, to what is in and on our hearts.
We need this kind of sword because the Bible reveals the heart, (the mind), without Christ, is full of evil. Listen to Matthew 15:19 – “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.’
So first of all GOD’s Word as a sword works its power within us as we study and apply it. And this enables us to pray more effectively after we are healed and cleansed within.
This is the result I believe Paul aimed for when teaching this analogous lesson to armor – the lesson being armor is the means to pray effectively. As we’ll see in the next episode, prayer is the reason we must be armored.
This is from Ephesians 6:18 – ‘praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—‘
Thinking of prayer as a spiritual type of sword fighting brings the question to mind: how do we become adept at using GOD’s Word in prayer in a way that fits the Word being like a sword?
Well, we cannot expect GOD to fully bless our prayers when we have willful sins that we practice. Or even sin in ignorance. Studying GOD’s Word by reading or listening to an audio version of the Bible will teach us about areas of our lives in opposition to GOD’s will. For example, when I first became a Christian 45 years ago I didn’t know it was a sin to look at a woman with lust. Then I read in Matthew 5:28 – “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
The implication is to look upon a woman, or for women to look at a man in lust, other than their spouse. And is it okay to lust for a spouse?
And then I learned about the sin of my pride and arrogance when I read in Proverbs 8:13 – ‘The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.’
And in Proverbs 6:16 & 17 -
Pro 6:16 – ‘These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
Pro 6:17 – ‘A proud look…’
Willful sin, and even sin done in ignorance, can and does hinder our prayers. Sin keeps us from wielding the Sword of the Spirit effectively in prayer.
GOD at times still blesses us when sin is done in ignorance, but still, we are hindered by those sins.
Summary: The Word of GOD as a sword is meant to be used in prayer. We have a duty to learn how to use GOD’s Word effectively. Bible study is the method of learning, using study guides, commentaries, and Bible lessons taught by trusted pastors whose teachings align strictly with the Bible.
Action to consider: Begin to read or listen to GOD’s Word, today. I use a free Bible program for study and for constructing show notes that has Strong’s Concordance within the KJV+ tab. You can copy and paste or there is a note-taking feature. It contains a dictionary and devotions under the tools tab.
This program is full of study aids and offers downloads of different versions of the Bible and commentaries.
For this resource go to e-sword.net - that’s e (dash) sword.net
Come on, pick up your sword. There are prayers waiting… people needing help.
Next week’s devotion: Praying in the Spirit – Ephesians 6:18