19 July 2026

THE WORD OF GOD - THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.

(Spiritual Warfare: SW 13)

The Sixth Component in the Christian Armor is :THE WORD OF GOD: “take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph.6:17). This Component is both for defensive and offensive purposes. The Sword is always used for defense and attack.

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus defended Himself by quoting Scripture, saying, “It is written…” and then He quotes the appropriate Scripture to defeat Satan and overcome his temptations. By quoting Scripture, Christ used the Word of God as a Sword to defend Himself and attack Satan. “The Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb.4:12).

The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. When a person hears the Word, the Holy Spirit then turns that Word preached into a Sword and pierce the heart to bring conviction and repentance in the hearer. When Peter preached the Word on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit accompanied it by convicting the hearers of their need to commit their lives to Christ: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 3:37-38). God Himself says, "Is not My Word like Fire, and like a Hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29).

Robert McCheyne, the great Scottish preacher once said, “It is the Word that saves, not our commentary on it”. How very true. Our human words have no power to do anything especially in the heart of the sinner. It is the Word preached in the power of the Spirit that will win souls. Our Lord Himself said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The Words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63). That is why Paul instructed his disciple Timothy to “preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Tim.4:2).

In terms of personal holiness, it is the Word that purifies our life and keeps us from sinning. The Psalmist says, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psa.119:9,11). The Word will show us what is right or wrong and strengthen our spirit man to resist evil and walk in the way of the Lord. The Word builds up our faith and strengthens our inner man.

Hence the Bible exhorts us: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col.3:16). Jesus also said, “If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you will bring forth much fruit” (John 15:5, 7). May His Word dwell richly in us!

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