“and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17b
A Roman soldier’s sword was essential for fighting. It was short and sharp, so the soldier could use it to stab and cut during battles. It was easy to handle with one hand, which made it perfect for close combat. Soldiers used their swords to protect themselves and defeat their enemies. The sword was carried in a sheath, or holder, on their belts, so it was always ready to use when needed.
If you have been reading over the past couple of weeks, have you noticed anything about the various parts of the armor of God thus far?
The belt of truth
The breastplate of righteousness
Shoes for your feet
The shield of faith
The helmet of salvation
All of them are defensive weapons.
The sword is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the Ephesians 6.
The Word of God is vital to the growth and development of our lives as believers. It’s God’s record of His character, purpose for humanity, and how to live out that purpose for His glory.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Knowing Scripture is important. It is a guide for knowing what is true. Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13 record Christ’s temptation. Three times, Satan tried to get Jesus to deviate from the plan God had set in motion, and every time, Christ used God’s Word to combat Satan’s attacks.
Of course, Satan used Scripture, too, but he twisted it to fit what he wanted. It’s the same today. Satan still twists Scripture to get believers to believe a lie.
It is important to understand the context of a passage to understand the meaning.
Believers need to be well-versed in what the Bible says because Satan will try to deceive them with a lie.
So, how can we know the Bible better?
It’s important to take time to read and study God’s Word. When you read the Bible, you become familiar with what it says. When you study, you develop an understanding of its meaning.
Another part of knowing the Bible better is memorizing it. Memorizing helps you focus on a verse at a time, soaking up the Word in your mind and hopefully allowing it to translate into your heart.
One last way to better understand God’s Word is to apply it. When you actually do what the Word says, your heart catches up with your mind.
When you build the foundation of learning and knowing God’s Word better, you will be ready for the attacks of Satan. God’s Word is strong enough to defeat anything Satan might throw at you.
“The only thing that keep me stable and settled in these times of uncertainty is the absolute dependability of God’s Word.” Elisabeth Elliot
