In order to live a life of victory, every Christian must do as Ephesians 6:17 says and take up ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’. Every word spoken by God is loaded with power and is relevant for us today, as it says in Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…”
When the Roman soldier entered the battlefield they would have on their belt, breastplate, footwear, shield and helmet, readied for defence. The only offensive weapon they would have was the sword. In the same way, of the six pieces of spiritual armour the apostle Paul teaches about in Ephesians 6, the only offensive weapon we have to attack the enemy with is the Word of God.
Before Jesus began his earthly ministry, he went away for 40 days to fast and pray, and here He taught us how to wield the sword of the spirit against the enemy.
1. Hunger for the word of God (Matthew 4:2-4; Deuteronomy 8:3; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 1:25)
2. Know the word of God (Matthew 4:5-7; Proverbs 13:20)
3. Overcome by applying the word of God (Matthew 4:8-11; Psalm 37:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Isaiah 40:29; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 40:31; Revelation 12:11; Joshua 24:15)
Apply
During 40 days of fasting, Jesus was hungry. But as his body became weaker, He was becoming stronger in the spirit, so the enemy tempts Jesus to give up (Matthew 4:2-4). The devil came to test him offering him some seemingly harmless bread to satisfy His desire, but Jesus knew the deceit of the devil, and declared the written word of God to joust back the manipulative words of Satan. Each word was like a sword blow to the enemy's head. He declared the words from Deuteronomy 8:3, that bread alone doesn’t satisfy, but it's the word of God we need to fill us, strengthen us, and nourish our soul. Without His word within us, we are limiting our Christian life. We mustn't settle into being passive or just going with the wind. No, hunger for the word that will transform your faith. So many Christians miss out and neglect the power of the word of God when they don’t read their Bibles daily. Who is guiding you and what are you feeding your spirit with? It is not enough to know the Bible as an overview or be familiar with some of its themes. This word is alive, and within it are the keys to breakthroughs in your life (1 Corinthians 1:25). Our wisdom should not come from the world. People think life experiences and knowledge are what help us overcome, but it is God’s wisdom that gives us strength. We need to hunger for it more than anything else (James 1:5). Are you desperate to read the word of God (you can use the daily devotional plan in the KCI app) or are you desperate to read your emails, your WhatsApp, to go on social media first thing when you wake up? We have an enemy who seeks to ‘steal, kill and destroy’. He doesn't play fair, every word he speaks is a lie, he twists things. But we have to hunger for the truth which is the word of God.
When Jesus was in the desert being tested by the enemy, the enemy couldn’t tempt Jesus with food so he attempted the next assault (Matthew 4:5-7). The next trick of the devil was to twist the word of God using it to make Jesus submit to his authority. But Jesus knew the truth of the word of God, so did not succumb to lies of the enemy who tried to twist the word. To know the word we need to study the Bible. Invest time every morning to spend with the Lord and let Him speak to you: note down what God is communicating to you through the Bible each day; expound the word, know what it is saying, know the context, understand its relevance and make sure we are reading out of the word itself - not reading our own interpretation into it. Meditate (dwell) on the word (Joshua 1:8). Allow the word to shape your thinking as you dwell on what God is showing you and write it on your heart. Know the promises that are relevant to your circumstances and memorise them. In the desert Jesus had the word in Him; His sword was with Him and that was why He was able to take it up. Ask God for a Rhema word each day - a passage you read that specifically speaks to you and the situation you are in. When the enemy attacks in your thoughts, health, finances etc, we must have the word of God ready. You can’t fight back if you have no sword to fight with. God goes ahead of you and will give you the right word in season (Proverbs 13:20).
Jesus overcame the enemy by repeatedly declaring the word of God (Matthew 4:8-11). God has given us the same authority as Jesus to use His words because the word says we are heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ. Because He conquered, so can we! The enemy didn’t flee after the first time. It was after the third attack and third rebuttal that Jesus overcame. What if we give up on the second or third attack that we go through? Perseverance with the word of God, knowing that it is powerful and effective, is key. You can use the sword but sometimes it can take a few blows to defeat your enemy. The Bible says that the power of the tongue brings life or death, so make sure you’re using the word of God instead of saying negative words. Declare the promises of God for you in every circumstance, no matter what you face there is a word for you (e.g. Psalm 37:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Isaiah 40:29; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 40:31; Revelation 12:11; Joshua 24:15). When you are declaring the promises of God, you are speaking faith into action, the forces of darkness are brought down, God fights for you. Your sword is at work! The word of God is the most powerful weapon. This life is a battlefield, and we must be ready to live in victory, so put on the full armour of God.
So today be honest with yourself. Are you actually reading the Bible? Decide that you are first and foremost going to hunger for the word of God. That you are not going to be satisfied until you have the word of God in you and know His promises.
