Sword of the Spirit


Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. -Ephesians 6:17 NLT

The Greek word rhéma, translated in this verse as 'word', signifies a spoken word. I love that. It reminds me of that passage in the gospels where Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Each time he was tempted to sin Jesus spoke a word of scripture to his enemy. Each time the scripture was successfully used, like a sword, to protect his heart.

In like ways we are able to stand against our enemy and overcome temptation. But first we must know what the scriptures say - passages hidden in our hearts can only rise up as a sword when they are actually emblazoned in our innermost being. Then the Holy Spirit can use them as a powerful spiritual sword to defeat the enemy in our lives.

Teach us to hide the scriptures in our hearts Lord and listen for the Sirit's voice when we are tempted.


... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on words in the bible.

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