Don’t Fight Naked

The Sword of the Spirit!

Eph 6:10-17
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: KJV

Put on: to sink into

  • It’s a picture of baptism
  • Baptized into the armour of God 

Stand: established, ready and prepared
Wiles: Strategies

  • My foundation, support and rest, come from standing on the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness and the Gospel of peace! 

  • We fail our children when we do not help them build on this strong foundation!

  • They must learn to separate what they do from who they are!!!!!   

Above all: upon or unto something already mentioned or implied. That upon which something rests as a basis, foundation, support, to sustain or support life upon, implying hope, trust, confidence upon
Notice the switch from Standing to Taking!

  • I have a responsibility for this!

Take unto you: accept or receive to oneself
Sheild: door, gate, threshold.

  • When my foundation is built on Truth, Righteousness, and Peace, the door will be opened for a relationship with God through Christ!

  • It is knowing Christ and His finished work towards me that help me realize my authority! 

Faith: to win over, persuade. Subjectively meaning firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, reliability, reality
Quench: Extinguish
Fiery Darts: arrows that strike the heart or emotions, they often explode and set human passions aflame, causing a minor issue to develop into a fierce, flaming situation

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: KJV

Take: accept or receive to oneself

Salvation (Soteria): noun meaning salvation, safety, deliverance, or soundness, referring to the result or state of being saved.

  • The Helmet of salvation protects our minds from spiritual attacks, such as doubt, fear, and despair.  It also engages our heart and mind to receive what salvations provide for us!
The Sword of the Spirit (the only offensive weapon)

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: KJV

Word: a word as uttered by a living voice. 

  • What living voice is speaking?
  • The Holy Spirit isn’t giving a physical sword to fight with, so what is He giving? 

  • He is speaking about Salvation (soteria)!

Salvation (Soteria): noun meaning salvation, safety, deliverance, or soundness, referring to the result or state of being saved.

  • The conjunction “and” puts the Helmet and the Sword as he “Word From God” 

Rom 10:17
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God NKJV

Here the word of God is to be understood as God's message given the believer to be proclaimed; this is the offensive weapon which will defeat the enemy. Here the word of God is "the message that comes from God" or "the messages that are given by God."
(from the UBS New Testament Handbook Series.  Copyright © 1961-1997, by United Bible Societies.)

  • Hearing must have action!
Heb 4:12-13
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.  NKJV

Two-edge: a double mouth

  • When God speaks, we must speak!

John 15:7
 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. NKJV

Matt 4:4
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"  NKJV

Rom 10:8-11
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  NKJV

Relational Circuits: Video

  1. Carve out intentional alone times. 

Ps 46:10  Be still and know that I am God
2.   Invite God to speak to you.

  • Start by acknowledging that God is present and with you.

I Samuel 3:10, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
 
3.   Practice attitude of gratitude to kickstart your interaction with God. 

Ps 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise