7 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Along with all the other pieces of God’s armor: the belt of truth; the truth of God and truthful living, the breastplate of righteousness; living righteously doing what is right according to God’s standard of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; being prepared to share the gospel and having gospel shoes to help us have good footing in advancing the gospel, shield of faith that quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one; a faith that trusts God in all areas of life; the helmet of salvation; the knowledge and application of the benefits afforded by God’s salvation, we are told to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
It is called the sword of the Spirit. The Spirit of God uses the word of God to help us, out on the spiritual battlefield we certainly need this help.
John 6
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The words of Christ are of a spiritual nature. The word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit and I believe according to God’s will empowered by the Holy Spirit. However the devil may came at us, the sword of the Spirit can meet the attack. Whether it be through deception, temptation, physical / psychological attack, whatever it may be the word of God can meet that attack. In Jesus’s temptation in the wilderness He responded to each temptation with it is written referring to the Old Testament. Likewise, we can respond to the enemy with the word of God.
1) The Spirit and the word work together
John 14
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Spirit of God brings to remembrance the words of God to help us when we need them. The more of God’s word we put in, the more He will bring out. That is why we need to study God’s word.
2) God’s inspired word is very useful in battle.
2 Timothy 3
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Not only is the word of God profitable for the man of God but for each believer the word of God is beneficial.
Reproof: God can teach us by reproof, when we are out of line. This helps us to get back in line with God quicker.
Correction: When in the way of error, the sword of the Spirit can cut through error with truth. Error can lead us away from God’s truth and will for our lives.
Instruction: The sword of the Spirit helps instruct how to live out true righteousness.
In a battle, there may be times in close combat the enemy gets in blow but with the sword of the Spirit we can quickly recover from his attacks.
3) The sword of the Spirit can help us fight for others. With the truth of God’s word we can hack away at the enemies work in the life of others. It can be for a brother or sister under attack, a backslider, or a lost person. Whatever the need may be, with the word of God welded under the influence of the Holy Spirit we can minister to the need.
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
After speaking of the armor, Paul finishes with the exhortation to pray always.
This is my personal interpretation of this passage. Prayer is communion with God, through prayer we consciously tap into the resources God has provided for us and also petition God for things we may need or others may need. Praying in the Spirit is when we get our natural selves out of the way and pray in unison with God’s Spirit inside of us. Praying in such a way empowers us in our walk with God works with the armor of God.
Paul also calls us to watch for all saints, petitioning God on their behalf. He said to do this with perseverance. We are called to have endurance and not lose heart or give up in our watching and praying for others. The call to watch and pray for others reminds us that this spiritual battle is not just about ourselves and we do not want to get so self-absorbed in our own spiritual battle we forget about the rest of the body.
Paul also was requesting prayer for himself to be empowered to speak the gospel as he ought. Paul’s main concern for himself was not himself but for the proclamation of the gospel. As we come away from this week of Bible school, may we not only be better equipped soldiers with God’s armor but may we be advancing the cause of Christ by praying that God would strengthen His children and embolden them to tell the good news of Christ as we ought.
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