Putting on the armor is about preparing to engage in the battle - it’s about being ready! We can have all the armor we can get – but, I can’t imagine going into battle without a weapon!
OUR GREATEST WEAPON FOR WARFARE IS The Sword of the Spirit – THE WORD OF GOD
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:17, NKJ)
When Paul wrote this, remember, he was in Prison looking at a Roman Soldier, and uses him as a metaphor to make a spiritual principle to make his point clear and practical. This sword Paul is talking about is a short sword worn down the side of the leg in a sheath – handy for a quick draw!
What is it that Paul wants us to understand?
The BATTLE IS URGENT
The BATTLE IS UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL
When fighting with a sword, the fight is near and it’s so close that you literally rolling around with the enemy. This is not a spear, it's not a rifle or bow and arrow. It's a small, short sword make for hand-to-hand combat. When it’s hand to hand, it’s defensive and offensive and it requires readiness & quickness. You have to be on your game!
Listen, we are in a Kingdom battle. It is personal, because each of us are fighting a Kingdom battle within our own hearts, soul, mind, and strength, but we must remember - WE ARE IN IT TOGETHER, fighting to take back what the enemy has stolen; Your life, your purpose, your power, your life, and your identity!
Why? Because The enemy is launching an attack on the Kingdom and the Body of Christ. He has gained way too much ground. We must fight to take it back.
In Matthew 4, Jesus modeled how to fight using this quick, sharp two-edged sword.
Jesus was doing battle with the devil.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread. 4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Mat 4:1-11 ESV)
How did Jesus wield the sword? Quickly, authoritatively and directly. He says – “it is written” - God has spoken. He didn’t lose the edge of the sword! He was sharp in the word!
Here’s the challenge: Power up – sharpen your blade! Get sharp in the Word.
Store it up, so when the lies come, it’s there. You’re full. You’re ready. You’re sharp. Memorize it, hide it in your heart, saturate your mind with it! That’s how you get a sharp edge AND THAT’S HOW YOU WIN THE WAR!
Make this your Mantra:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. (Psalm 119:9-13, ESV)