Sword of the Spirit

 

The last article of the Full Armor of God is the sword of the Spirit.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Ephesians 6:17

David Guzik wrote at EnduringWord.com: To effectively use the sword, we must regard it as the word of God – which is the word of God. If we are not confident in the inspiration of Scripture, that the sword really came from the Spirit, then we will not use it effectively at all.
  But we must also take the sword of the Spirit in the sense of depending that He helps us to use it. Not only did the Spirit give us the Scriptures, but also He makes them alive to us (or us alive to them), and He equips us with the right thrust of the sword at the right time.

     We are taught over and over again that we must know truth in order to recognize lies. How can we know truth if we don't study it? It's so critical to be in the word, reading, studying, always learning, always gaining wisdom. If you haven't read the entire Bible, I really encourage you to do that. The Old Testament is so very important to understanding and knowing God's character. Jesus is shown throughout the Old Testament as well. Every time you read the Bible you'll find new information, glean new wisdom from it. It is one cohesive book. If you're only reading the last 23%, think about all that you're missing out on.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18-20 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #sword #gospel #HolySpirit #blog #blogpost #blogger

Helmet of salvation

The helmet of salvation is a reminder of the "hope of salvation" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:8, and Isaiah 59:17) because Satan's most utilized weapons are creating doubt and/or discouragement. He gets us to doubt or discourages us in our relationships, our faith, and even our salvation. 

Just always remember:

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Romans 8:16 ESV

And take the helmet of salvation...

Ephesians 6:17a NKJV

You may also like: "Waging War" from October 28, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #helmet #gospel #salvation #blog #blogpost #blogger

Shield of faith

 

This commentary by John MacArthur really spoke to me. Being under attack by the enemy for an extended period of time, we sometimes start to believe Satan's lies, and we're more apt to give in to his temptations. He wears us down. Unless we take the time to talk to our Father, confirming our steadfast trust in Him, strengthening our bond with Him, we become weak. Reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ continuously. Tell Satan his 'fiery darts' are no good here.

"The believer's continual trust in God's word and promise is "above all" absolutely necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin. All sin comes when the victim falls to Satan's lies and promises of pleasure, rejecting the better choice of obedience and blessing." "Temptations are likened to the flaming arrows shot by the enemy and quenched by the oil-treated leather shield."*

*MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.

     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN.

above all, taking the shield of faith 

with which you will be able to 

quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

This song is such an inspiration to me...sing along at the top of your lungs and drive the enemy away!

You might also like: "Boastfulness" from June 19, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #shield #gospel #faith #blog #blogpost #blogger

Like shoes for your feet

 

I found this explanation of verse 15 in Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, 1878:

sandals, of the Roman soldiers were heavy sandals studded with hobnails, to give a secure foothold to those who would stand firm. St. Paul identifies these with the firm "footing of the gospel of peace." Clearly the word "peace" is here emphatic. The gospel is looked upon as the declaration of "peace on earth, goodwill towards men." The firm stand on this message is the firm assurance of God's love. In this, and this alone, we stand. No doubt, this is in some sense faith...

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:15 NKJV

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:15 ESV

You may also like: Front-line workers

This is interesting because it's from March 30, 2020. At that time we had 24 Covid-19 cases in my county. That seemed like a lot back then but now it's just a drop in the bucket. Our state has had 891,181 confirmed cases or 1,058,395 probable cases. 

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #shoes #gospel #peace #blog #blogpost #blogger

Breastplate of righteousness

 

"Righteousness is represented as a breastplate which provides essential protection for the most vital organs. We can no sooner battle against spiritual enemies in our own righteousness than a soldier can effectively fight without his breastplate."

     "This is not our own earned righteousness, not a feeling of righteousness, but a righteousness received by faith in Jesus. It gives us a general sense of confidence, an awareness of our standing and position."

     "The breastplate of righteousness is your best defense against the sense of spiritual depression and gloom that comes against us." (emphasis mine).

     All of these statements are by David Guzik, found at EnduringWord.com

     I always struggle with the idea of "being righteous" because I know how imperfect I am. But, that's not the kind of righteousness that we're to count on. From what I understand, we are righteous because of our relationship with Christ. Since He paid the price for our sins, we are able to stand righteous before our Father. It's not anything that we can do or take credit for. It's part of God's free gift of salvation. Since we are His, no one, not even Satan can snatch us from His hand. (See John 10:27-29)

having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

Ephesians 6:14b NKJV

You may also like: 

"The enemy" from January 28, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #breastplate #righteousness #blog #blogpost #blogger

Belt of truth

 

Knowing that we will be entangled in spiritual warfare, God provides us with the armour necessary to do battle with our adversary. We'll look at one piece of armour each day this week.

    But first, I need to quote John MacArthur because sometimes we need a reminder as to all of the ways Satan attacks us... "Whether confronting Satan's efforts to distrust God, forsaking obedience, producing doctrinal confusion and falsehood, hindering service to God, bringing division, serving God in the flesh, living hypocritically, being worldly, or in any other way rejecting biblical obedience, this armor is our defense."*

     The first article of defense is to be girded with truth, which you could also refer to as the 'belt of truth.' Back then to "gird up" meant to pull up the tunic through the belt or girdle so that it wasn't in the way. 

     David Guzik wrote: " When a man sat down and was relaxed, he took off his belt. Putting on the belt prepared for action, it freed one for movement, and it put a soldier in a battle frame of mind." (EnduringWord.com)

     "The soldier might be furnished with every other part of his equipment, and yet, wanting the girdle, would neither be fully accoutered nor securely armed." (Salmond, S.D.F., 1897)

     I see it as the foundation of our defense. We have to know truth, therefore Scripture, before we can recognize lies, especially the lies of Satan.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, 

Ephesians 6:14a NKJV

*MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.
     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN.

See also: What are you wearing today? from October 6, 2019. 

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #blog #blogpost #blogger

I lost the battle but not the war

Whenever I am all in for God, completely consumed with doing His will for me, trying desperately to be a "good" Christian, Satan always steps in and tries to tear me down. I must have really been on track with my faith and my works because this past week has been a horrendous spiritual battle.

     Everything that I felt called to do, everything that I'm on fire for has one by one been under attack by people who I looked up to. 

     I'm reminded of how Satan deceived Eve. He cast doubt. He made the fruit look so appealing that she gave into temptation. He's still using those methods on us today.

     Yesterday I hit rock bottom. Satan preyed on something that is like an exposed nerve of mine. I don't mean to be vague, it's just that if I try to explain it, it won't make any sense anyway. The result was I had a meltdown; the things I yelled at God, my thoughts, ... I even told Satan, "Fine, you win! Now leave me alone!" 

     After a while, I calmed down enough to keep from doing anything drastic (because I was really considering drastic measures (non-violent, of course)). Anything I did or said in that state of emotion would have made me look very non-Christian.

     I started reading my Bible. My husband came home from church and we talked about it. I apologized to God. Maybe this was a test. If it was, I failed miserably. But, I'm not going to beat myself up about it because even Peter failed once in a while.

     We need to always be prepared for spiritual warfare. We need to be prepared to fight everything Satan can and will throw at us. He knows how to strike a nerve. He knows what we most hate, what we most fear, what we most dread and he will use those things against us. His whole purpose in life is to bring himself glory by taking it away from the one, true, living God.

     Be prepared. Don't fail. If you do fail like I did, brush yourself off, clean up your armour and jump right back into the battle.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV

Are you ready for battle?

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #blog #blogpost #blogger
 

Submit to God

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. 

James 4:7-8a ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who are battling spiritual forces of evil. Let's pray that our Father gives them strength and encouragement to fight the fight. Pray that they persevere. Let's also pray that they come out victorious and conquer the demons who torment them.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #battle #spiritual #warfare #submit

The enemy

We don't spend nearly enough time talking about Satan. He is constantly in our midst, trying to reel us in. Yes, we're saved and he cannot take that away from us, but he can meddle in our lives and deter us from doing God's work. The more I grow in my faith and my commitment to focus only on Jesus, the more Satan seems to be a factor in my life. He deceives me, distracts me. He meddles in my relationships with others, especially the unsaved.
     I have felt so exhausted lately and there doesn't seem to be nearly enough hours in the day to do everything I've committed to. This keeps me from my devotionals, and even my prayer time. Sometimes it takes me a few days to realize what's going on, but then I'm able to re-focus and pray fervently for help against the enemy.
     This isn't exactly related to mission work, but it could be in that sometimes when we're called to serve, Satan fills us with self-doubt about our abilities to serve, time available, resources, whatever it takes to keep us from answering God's calling. Be aware of what he's capable of. Suit up with the full armor of God,* and then press on.
*Ephesians 6:10-18

And let us not grow weary while doing good, 

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, 

let us do good to all, 

especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

What are you wearing today?

I made this pic, lol.
The idea being put a reminder next to your jacket
that you can read before heading out each morning.

We read and prayed on 1 Peter 5:5 earlier this week: "...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another..." 1 Peter 5:5
     And then, finding today's bible verse I thought of "put on" as "wearing" like clothing, which reminded me of God's message to "put on the whole armor of God" Ephesians 6:11 (As a reminder, read Ephesians 6:11-18).
     What if we did that each morning? What if, before we walked out the door, we envisioned putting on all of these articles to prepare ourselves for going out into the world?
     We would not only be prepared for spiritual battle but we would be the image-bearers that God intended us to be.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, 

holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, 

kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Colossians 3:12 ESV

So, each day, remember to put on:

• humility
• compassionate heart
• kindness
• meekness
• patience
• belt of truth
• breastplate of righteousness
• shoes of readiness
• shield of faith
• helmet of salvation
• sword of the Spirit

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Please join me this week in praying for humility, either for yourself or someone you know. If you don't know anyone who needs a dose of humility, then I humbly ask that you pray this for me.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Wear the whole armor of God

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV

Shield of faith

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, 

with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Ephesians 6:16 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for someone who lacks faith. Ask God also for the opportunity, words, courage to share the Good News with that person(s).
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power