14 day plan

The Unchanging, Living Word of God

Day 12 of 14

NIV

Ephesians 6:17

17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Reflection: Use the Sword of the Spirit in your Battle

Have you been wrestling with certain issues in your life lately?

Has it become like a battle where it seems you are not finding a way out?

The Bible in Ephesians 6 tells us that every Christian is engaged in a spiritual battle and therefore needs the proper armour or attire to be able to stay in the fight and win. Our text today deals with part of that armour of God, and we will focus today on maximising the Sword of the Spirit.

Out of the six pieces of armour a Christian must wear to be safe against the enemy’s attack, the Sword of the Spirit may appear to be the only armour that can be used as a weapon. By knowing how to use the Sword of the Spirit, you can defend yourself against the devil. You can also overcome Satan with this weapon, the powerful Word of God. Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit in the desert when Satan tempted him (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus quoted the exact words of Scripture, and the Word of God is active and alive (Hebrews 4:12).

Every follower of Christ will also experience victory over the devil if they are filled with the Spirit of Jesus and use the Sword of the Spirit, as Jesus did. Refrain from attempting to deal with spiritual attacks in a human way. Just speak out loud the Word of God to the unseen world. It will put the enemy to flight and help you overcome.

Today, start using this powerful weapon that God has given you.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me today to wear the full armour of God – by walking closely in fellowship with Christ as his disciple. Thank you for the Sword of the Spirit, your living Word, and for challenging me afresh today on how I should make good use of it in my everyday spiritual battles. Amen!

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Ephesians 6:1-24

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.