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Listen while you read: "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder"1 (Lyrics) |
Ephesians 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. (AMPC)
Once upon a time, I taught chemistry in a particular high school, and — glory to God — I was a vessel through which many of the high school children received Jesus. On a certain day, one of my female students opened up to me and complained about the attacks that she was having, being haunted at night by strange forces. When she was done, by the leading of the Spirit, I said to her, "I will give you some Bible verses. You will read them and meditate on them over the night, and by tomorrow, you will have a positive testimony." I gave her Colossians 1:12-16 and Psalm 91. The following day when I asked her about her challenge, she had a positive testimony. Hallelujah!
In today's opening verse, Paul reiterates the importance of God's Word to us as believers, who are soldiers of Christ. He tells us that after we are saved, the Word of God becomes the sword with which our spirit fights. Most importantly, we are advised to have this Word in our spirit, otherwise we become bare and defenseless against every poisonous dart of the devil.
The believers in God's army are like the soldiers in our country's army, and yet, also quite different. While the soldiers move about with their spears, arrows, swords, and guns, and with watchful eyes, believers move about with the Word of God in their spirit, with prayers, worship, and fasting, and also with watchful eyes. If soldiers are going to war, they arm themselves with their weapons of warfare, otherwise they are defenseless and bare against every opposition of the enemy, and victory becomes uncertain. Likewise, the Holy Spirit arms us with weapons of warfare against the devil.
John 10:10a – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (KJV)
The devil is a thief, a killer, and a destroyer. He never sleeps, and his only thoughts are to steal, kill, and destroy. His utmost desire is to annihilate the believer by every means possible. Hence, we are at war even more than those in our country's army.
Beloved, we can't afford to sail in the stormy sea of this life without Jesus, otherwise the devil might win. To exercise dominion and reign as soldiers of Christ, we cannot afford to leave our spirit swordless. We must inundate our spirit always with God's Word to an overflowing measure against all the wiles of the devil.
From today, let us each always refuse to be swordless by being empty of God's Word. Desire it sincerely. When you are challenged by the devil, wield your sword by using the Scripture. Keep it in sight, and let it excite you. It's our greatest weapon against the enemy. Pray with me:
Prayer: Father, help me to be armed with Your Word in my spirit. I come against every opposition of the devil even now, with Your Word in my spirit, and declare my victory in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
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Amen to that!
Thanks for sharing, Owen.
Thank you for encouraging words to keep our “sword of the Spirit” ready.
Thank you for your witness, Owen. How wonderful that you can share God in the classroom.
Amen! Thanks for this powerful and encouraging message today. May God continue to inspire you to write. Blessings.
Greetings Owen,
Very good advice you have emphasized in this devotional.
Blessings for your writings.
(B.C.)
Thank you for your powerful message.
I pray that you will continue to write, to encourage and inspire.
God’s blessings to you and yours.
(Ontario Canada)
Thank you so much for this gentle Word on warfare. It comes to me at such a perfect time. It has given me the desire to memorize Scripture in order to speak God’s Word directly into people’s lives in conversation. Bless you.
Owen wonderful story and so inspiring how you helped.