Intro: Have you ever heard, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me?” Maybe the devil was the one who coined this phrase. You and I both know the power that words have.
What we are going to find in Spiritual warfare the only thing that will harm the enemy is words!!
But we must understand that there are two main Greek words translated word. It makes all the difference in the world if we want to understand how to take and properly use the Sword of the Spirit.
First is the Logos. This word communicates the entire message of the scriptures. Jesus is the clear and complete revelation of God and the scriptures give the clear message of who Jesus is.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the word [logos], and the Word [logos] was with God, and the Word [logos] was God.”
Luke 8:11 “The seed is the word [logos] of God.”
Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the word [logos] of life.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word [logos] of God is quick and powerful.”
1 Peter 1:23 “since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word [logos] of God.”
The second is Rhema. It is a spoken word or something uttered.
Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through [rhema] the message about Christ.”
John 15:7 “If you remain in Me and My words [rhema] remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.”
Ephesians 5:25-26 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word [rhema].”
Ephesians 6:17 “and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word [rhema].”
So a Rhema from Christ is like a personal word spoken directly to us!! Do you remember a few weeks ago when I told you about Peter putting his nets down at the word of Jesus?
Luke 5:5 ““Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word [rhema], I’ll let down the nets.”
I. The Sword of the Spirit – It is a personal word
The sword that Paul is talking about is a short sword about 18 inches long. The sword was clipped to the belt of the Roman soldier and used for up close and personal combat.
The word that Paul uses is speaking of a precise specific personal word! Why do we need to be familiar with God’s word and therefore God’s voice? Because it is the specific words that the Good Shepherd speaks to us that are the weapon we need to cut through the lies and attacks of the devil.
Phil Robertson tells about going out to catch some fish thieves. The entire time he was riding out in his boat the words “Love your Neighbor as yourself was rolling through his head.”
He gave the guys in the boat almost enough to swamp their boat and told them to ask him if they ever needed any more.
Illustration: Story about apologizing to my wife when it wasn’t my fault.
A word from the Lord becomes a weapon against the enemy. It is a personal precise word that the Spirit reveals to us based on the enemies attack!
In Exodus 14 When Moses and the children of Israel came to the red sea God had a word for them. Lift up your hand, stretch out your staff and divide it. God has a word that applies to any boundary, barrier or obstacle that we face.
In Joshua 7 Achan had taken things that belonged to God. God gave Joshua a word, “Get up there is sin in the camp.”
A) You have to be willing to receive it
There will be times when the heart of the problem is the problem of your heart. There will be precision surgery that needs to happen in your heart to make it possible for the Sword of the Spirit to attack the enemy. .
B) You have to be willing to implement it
Remember the truth will set you free but it will hurt you first. It is written!! You have to share the word with the enemy. Search out verses that speak to what you struggle with.
II. The Sword of the Spirit – It is a practical word
God’s word is not just for Sunday morning worship time and small group Bible study. If we understood suitable it is for addressing every attitude, appetite and circumstance you face.
There is a practical word for teenagers when they think they should have premarital sex – don’t
There is a practical word for believers when we are tempted to adultery, lying, stealing, anger, hatred, etc. Don’t!
There is a practical word for believers when we can be kind, compassionate, humble, prayerful, etc. Do!
The practical words are designed as daggers that deeply penetrate the lies of the enemy!
In 1945, when American troops were on Okinawa, they came across a tiny village named Shimabuku. Thirty years previously, a missionary on his way to Japan had stopped long enough to make two converts. He taught them a couple of hymns, gave them a Japanese translation of the Bible, and encouraged them to live by it. The villagers patterned their lives on Jesus, adopted the Ten Commandments as their legal code, and the Sermon on the Mount as their guide to social conduct. The Bible was the main literature in school. The result was that for years they'd had no jail, no brothel, no drunkenness, no divorce, and there was a high level of health and happiness. Reader's Digest (The Village That Lives By The Bible)
God’s word is practical it works! James said be you doers of the word, Jesus said if you love me do what I say. Why?
God has a timely word for whatever you are going to face. He has a promise that you can repeat to yourself and the enemy.
If you struggle with something find a scripture and memorize it and apply it
If you are searching for direction you will find it in the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures
III. The Sword of the Spirit – It is a powerful word
Jesus has a personal word for you, He has a practical word for you. You can’t stop with either of those. Jesus has powerful word for you. In the book of revelation the word is seen as a two edged sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus.
A) It is a powerful word to save
The main purpose of God’s words are to save. The words of Jesus are powerful to save your soul. The words of Jesus can also save your marriage, save your relationships, save your finances etc.
B) It is a powerful word to strengthen
Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word [rhema] that comes out of the mouth of God.”
Psalm 119:28 “I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word”
When the devil attacks you personally, your spouse, your children, your job. When he attacks your character or reputation. God will provides words of power and strength!
When the devil says you failed poke him in the eye with I am more than a conqueror through Christ.
Remember Jesus Christ gets the last word on you!!
C) It is a powerful word to change
If there is anything that the devil wants to derail it is our changing into Christlikeness. The sword of the Spirit doesn’t just cut and wound the enemy it preforms surgery on our hearts. If you continually encounter God’s word it will cut away the pieces that don’t look like Jesus! The more you become like Jesus the less the enemy has to attack!!
How do I get a rhema?
1) Spend time in God’s word to get familiar with His voice
2) Memorize God’s word. If it is hidden in your heart the Holy Spirit will bring it to the surface
3) Apply God’s word. If the Spirit reveals a truth to you about your life do it!
Conclusion: Jesus gave us legal victory on the cross. He cancelled the debt we owe. We can live with literal victory if we will receive the word of God. The personal, practical, and powerful word from Jesus!
