Our Mighty Weapon

Scripture

We are currently in a sermon series in Ephesians 6:10-24 that I am calling, “The Whole Armor of God.”

So far we have examined our spiritual warfare, our terrible enemy, our only strength, and our shining armor. Today, I want to examine our mighty weapon in this spiritual warfare.

So, let’s read about our mighty weapon in Ephesians 6:17b, although for the sake of context, I shall read verses 10-17b:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17b)

Introduction

In his commentary on Ephesians, James Montgomery Boice refers to a book titled Add to Your Faith by Sinclair Ferguson, in which he discusses our spiritual warfare against Satan. According to Dr. Ferguson, each piece of our armor is directed to one of the ways in which Satan attacks Christians. Here is how he puts it:

Our breastplate arms us against Satan as accuser. We have seen…how Satan is present to point an accusing finger at the believer and gloat over his manifold sins. “Look at that sin,” he sneers. “No one as wicked as that can serve God.” We saw that the righteousness that protects us against these accusations is of two types. First there is the righteousness of Christ imputed to us in justification….Then there are also those practical deeds of righteousness that are the result of the presence of Christ in our lives….

The next piece of the soldier’s equipment is his boots or marching sandals. Ferguson thinks of these as protection against Satan as a serpent (Revelation 12:9). A serpent strikes out at the feet or legs of his victims.

Our shield of faith arms us against Satan as tempter. He tells us that we cannot trust God, particularly to deliver us from evil and enable us to live a pure life. Faith in God overcomes these temptations.

The helmet protects us against Satan as deceiver. He would confuse us, if he could. Satan would crush our heads, if it were possible. Actually, it is Satan who is to have his head crushed by Jesus, though Satan was given power to strike his heel, as he did at the cross.

This brings us to the Christian’s final piece of armor, the only offensive part: his sword. These other pieces of armor have been defensive. This alone is offensive. It is our means of resisting Satan as liar, according to Ferguson. Jesus said that Satan is “a liar and the father of lies” and “there is no truth in him” (John 8:44). What is sufficient and effective against Satan’s untruths? There is only one weapon, and that is the truths of God embodied in the Bible which is God’s Word.

Lesson

In today’s text, Ephesians 6:17b, we learn that our mighty weapon is the sword of the Spirit.

Let’s use the following outline:?

1. What Is the Sword of the Spirit?

2. How Do We Use the Word of God?

I. What Is the Sword of the Spirit?

First, what is the sword of the Spirit?

Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:17b, “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” John MacArthur describes the soldier’s sword:

The sword to which Paul refers here is the machaira, which varied in length from six to eighteen inches. It was the common sword carried by Roman foot soldiers and was the principal weapon in hand-to-hand combat. Carried in a sheath or scabbard attached to their belts, it was always at hand and ready for use. It was the sword carried by the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden (Matthew 26:47), wielded by Peter when he cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave (v. 51), and used by Herod’s executioners to put James to death (Acts 12:2).

According to Paul, the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. “The Spirit” could be translated as “spiritual” or “by the Spirit.” This would then refer to the nature of the sword. However, it is more likely that the Greek is a genitive of origin, so that our translation is the preferred translation: it is “the sword of the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit, who is the author of Scripture, is the one who enables us to use the word of God.