The Fight (Spiritual Battle) Part 18
We are continuing on in our series on spiritual battle by looking at the sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
As a believer, you have been given this incredible weapon for which to defend against and attack the enemy. Because as a believer you not only have the Bible, you have the Holy Spirit, who leads and guides and teaches us truth, in residence in your life. You have the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God and the Spirit of God in conjunction. You have a spiritual sword. This is what John is saying in 1 John 2:20:
1 John 2:20 (NKJV)
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
Logos and Rhema
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
12 For the word(logos) of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
In Greek, there are two words used for word. Logos and Rhema. God uses His logos Word to speak His rhema word to us. Logos refers to the written word recorded in the Bible. Rhema refers to the instant, personal speaking of God. The written word is a record of His speaking. But He continues to speak to us today and God’s living, instant speaking, rhema, always corresponds with and never contradicts His written Word (logos).
So, the more we meditate on the Bible, hang out with it, memorize it, the more God can speak instant words to us. His instant words in any given situation guide us and turn us to Him when we take heed to them. A great example of this is when Jesus took a stand against the evil one during the temptation in the wilderness
Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
The evil one uses Scripture out of context to try to convince Jesus to sin. That is why it so important that you study the Bible to understand what God’s principles for living are. Jesus understands how He is supposed to live and uses Scripture in context to reply.
Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Deuteronomy 8:3)
The evil one tries it again:
Matthew 4:5-6 (NIV)
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” (Psalm 91:11-12)
Jesus answers with scripture in context.
Matthew 4:7 (NIV)
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (Deuteronomy 6:16)
And the evil one tries it a third time:
Matthew 4:8-10 (NIV)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
And again Jesus answers with the word.
Matthew 4:10 (NIV)
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
When we take a stand against the evil one, there will be just the right spiritual sword (Word of God and Spirit of God) for that specific battle.
Keeping your Sword Sharp
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
You have to read the Bible for yourselves. It is the only way that you can learn how to use our sword effectively. You have to know what is in there and how to access it.
Steve Lawes is a church encourager and the lead pastor of Keys Vineyard Church.
