Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:153-160
The Sword of the Spirit
Intro.
1. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, Eph. 6:17.
a. machairan: Short sword, the regular weapon of Roman foot soldiers.
b. The sword given by the Spirit to be wielded as offensive weapon (the others defensive) by the Christian is the word of God.[1]
c. We must take it up and use it in our lives.
2. A soldier without his gun is ill-equipped to fight. In battle, he is soon dead. A Christian without the sword of the Spirit is ill-equipped to stand against the devil, Eph. 6:10-13.
I. THE SWORD IS SUPPLIED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, 1 Cor. 2:6-13.
A. Revelation and Inspiration, Jno. 16:8-13; Mk. 16:15-20; Heb. 2:3-4.
B. Separating the Spirit from the Sword (Word) He Supplies Dishonors the Spirit, the Father and the Son, Jno. 16:13-15.
1. Holy Spirit guides us, leads us, teaches us, speaks to us through the word He supplies us, the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
2. “What does the Scripture say?” is our marching order and battle cry, Rom. 4:3 (Jude 3).
3. What does a personal, actual indwelling of the Spirit accomplish that is not accomplished by the word He has given us?
a. HS works through the word He revealed, inspired, confirmed:
-HS convict sinners: John 16:8. The word convicts sinners (Of sin, Acts 2:37; Of righteousness and of judgment, Acts 24:24-25).
-HS and the new birth, Jno. 3:5 (word, 1 Pet. 1:22-23).
-HS and sanctifies, 1 Pet. 1:2 (word God sanctifies, Jno. 17:17).
-HS saves, Tit. 3:5 (Implanted word saves, Jas. 1:21; Rom. 1:16).
-HS cleanses sinners, 1 Cor. 6:11 (Word washes, Eph. 5:26-27).
-HS leads, Rom. 8:14 (Word leads us, 1 Jno. 1:6-7; 2 Jno. 1-2, 4, 6).
-HS strengthens, Eph. 3:16 (Word of God builds up, Acts 20:32).
-HS bears witness of sonship, Rom. 8:16 (Word testifies, 1 Jno. 2: 3-6; 3:24).
II. WHAT THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT DOES TO PROTECT US AND TO DEFEAT SATAN, Eph. 6:13.
A. It Cuts to the Heart, Heb. 4:12.
1. Convicts of sin and prompts correction, Jno. 16:8; Acts 2:36-41 (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
2. It probes the conscience and subdues the impulses to sin (Vine).
3. Our study of God’s word is not academic, it is transformational, Eph. 5:18; Col. 3:16-17 (2 Tim. 2:15).
4. It also reveals the hardened heart that keeps the sinner lost in his/her sin, Acts 7:54; Jno. 6:60-63 (cf. Pharaoh).
B. It Defeats Error, 1 Tim. 6:12 (Jude 3); 2 Cor. 10:3-5.
1. By extraction: Removes strongholds of sin (10:4-5), Jas. 1:21-22. (Heb. 4:12)
2. With reason: It subdues thoughts (10:5), Acts 17:2-3.
3. Through understanding: Wisdom and guidance (10:5), Eph. 5:17-18.
C. It Defends Christians from Sin and Its Temptations.
1. Blessed: Delight in and meditate on God’s word, Psa. 1:1-3.
2. Corrupted: Delight in and meditate on ungodliness.
3. Protected: Put it in your heart for strength, Psa. 119:11, 28-32.
* We must become skilled in using the Spirit’s sword (word) to benefit from its power, Eph. 6:17; Col. 1:9-11; Heb. 5:13-14.
Conclusion
1. A soldier without his gun is ill-equipped to fight. In battle, he is soon dead. A Christian without the Spirit’s sword is ill-equipped to stand against the devil, Eph. 6:13.
2. “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psa. 119:133)
[1] Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Eph 6:17). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: December 19, 2018