Sermon Tone Analysis

Our theme verse for our series is

Our passage this morning is

Introduction: Several Bible scholars and teachers have pointed out that all of the armor listed up to this point in has been defensive in nature.

However, when you get to the sword of the Spirit, you find a weapon that is both defensive and offensive.

A sword is used not only to defend but to attack.

Roman soldiers sometimes used a long sword (4-ft.

long) called a gladius, but it was so awkward and heavy that it was not effective in close combat.

So they also had a short sword called a makaira that was 20-24 inches long.

This is the one Paul refers to in v.17.

It was much easier to handle and when one was trained properly with it, it was deadly to an enemy in close combat.

So, what did that mean to the Christ followers to whom Paul was writing?

Take the short, deadly, double-edged sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Were they supposed to go on the warpath and storm the gates of hell?

Was Paul telling them to go looking for some demons to fight?

Were they supposed to engage in a physical fight, as Constantine and the later crusaders did?

We will attempt to bring some clarity to all this as we look at some thoughts about the sword of the Spirit.

In a few words, here is the main truth of the message today: As the word of God changes us, we can in turn use it to change the world around us.

TS: Let’s break down a few thoughts about swords and words.

I. What is the Sword of the Spirit?

English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton said that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Well, the Apostle Paul’s writings attest to that, but he actually combined the image of a sword with the power of words to show how great God’s words are.

Paul wrote in v.17 that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God.

Immediately, most of us think of our Bibles.

In fact, we refer to our Bibles as swords.

Have you ever had a sword drill?

It’s an old Sunday School favorite game where you see who can turn to a particular verse in the Bible the fastest.

English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton said that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Well, the Apostle Paul’s writings attest to that, but he actually combined the image of a sword with the power of words to show how great God’s words are.

Paul wrote in v.17 that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God.

Immediately, most of us think of our Bibles.

In fact, we refer to our Bibles as swords.

Have you ever had a sword drill?

It’s an old Sunday School favorite game where you see who can turn to a particular verse in the Bible the fastest.

Well, I must tell you that the sword of the Spirit isn’t your Bible.

Your Bible can’t do anything for you.

Your Bible is only the scabbard.

The sword is what is inside.

Phillip Brooks wrote: “The Bible is like a telescope.

If a man looks through his telescope he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, he does not see anything but that.

The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond; but most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter.”

But the sword of the Spirit gets even more specific than that.

Paul uses the Greek term rhema translated as word.

Rhema is the spoken word, a specific revelation of God.

Paul is not writing here about the Bible in general, but about specific statements and principles that are contained in the Scriptures.

When we consider that the sword was used in close hand-to- hand combat, and that it refers to a specific spoken revelation of God, we get a better sense of where Paul is going with this.

The sword of the Spirit involves applying specific Biblical principles to specific circumstances in my life.

Using the right word from God at the right time as the Holy Spirit inspires us to do so is what it means to take up the sword of the Spirit.

We don’t use the Bible like a broadsword, swinging at anything and everything.

Instead, we are to use it with surgical-like precision, finding specific portions of Scripture that apply to the skirmish we are in.

This is what Jesus did when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.

Let’s look at it in as we dig deeper into how we use our sword.

II.

How do we use the Sword of the Spirit?

In , Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan.

After He had fasted and prayed for 40 days, Satan came to Him with his lies and lures.

Satan attacks.

“Turn this stone into bread.”

Jesus did not need to follow the devil’s word and satisfy His hunger.

So He counters with the sword of the Spirit.

“It is written, ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word (rhema) that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Satan attacks again and attempts to use the sword of the Spirit.

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in your hands, so that you won’t strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus defends with the sword of the Spirit.

“It is written: do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Satan attacks a third time.

“I will give you all the kingdoms and splendor of this world if you worship me.”

Jesus defends with the sword of the Spirit.

“It is written, Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”

Jesus defended himself against 3 attacks from the devil.

The devil even tried to use God’s word against Jesus, but anyone who receives God’s word, and studies it filling their mind and heart with it can overcome the traps of the devil.

So how should we use the sword of the Spirit?

Read it, contemplate it (meditate, ruminate), practice with it, unsheathe it, advance with it, speak it, pray it, declare it.

And remember where you got it!

It is the sword of the Spirit.

It’s not enough to just have God’s Word.

Anyone can access God’s words and read and even study them.

But those who are followers of Christ have a resource that others don’t have – God’s Holy Spirit.

The word of God is called the sword of the Spirit not just because the Holy Spirit has provided it, but also because he makes it come alive to us and equips us to use it in the right way at the right time.

God is always speaking to us through His Holy Spirit, and we need to develop a habit of listening and responding.

Jesus told His followers about the Holy Spirit’s work in speaking and reminding them of the rhema word.

In order to use spiritual weapons we must be people of the Spirit who rely on God to give us the right word at the right time for the right situation.

God the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, convince us of righteousness, make us alive in Christ when we call of God in repentance, help us overcome our doubts and small faith, and bring the appropriate word from God to our minds just when we need it.

Sometimes that word will be for us personally, but often He will give us a word for someone else.

Let’s talk about that for a few minutes in this final point.

III.

Who do we target with the Sword of the Spirit?

Since we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, as v.12 says, we mean no harm to any other human being.

However, that does not mean that we cannot use the sword of the Spirit on their behalf.

We are not fighting against other people, we are fighting for them!

As the Holy Spirit brings the rhema word to our minds in any given situation, we can speak that word out boldly.

If that word is for us, we will be encouraged and strengthened by it as we allow it to do what God intended by speaking it.

If it is for another believer, we can speak it to them in love and grace.

Remember, we are not assaulting them with our sword, we are fighting on their side.

As you use the sword of the Spirit, always remember the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The same approach should be taken when we speak God’s word on behalf of someone who does not yet know Him.

If someone does not believe the Bible and has no use for God, they are not our enemy.

We are not trying to stab them with the sword of the Spirit.

We do, however, want God’s truth to penetrate their hearts, bringing life and hope and peace.

At the same time, the enemy is trying to confuse and harden them so they will not receive the light of God’s word.

Remember, the sword of the Spirit is a short sword, meant to be used up close and personal.