God has given us all we need. Everything to do with our salvation has already been provided; it’s a finished work. As Jesus’ followers, we’re to stand in the victory he’s already won. Yes, Satan is still roaming about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour – until he’s deposed at Christ’s return. But when he comes across a Holy Spirit filled believer, one that skillfully uses his God-given weapons, he’ll flee like the cowardly, toothless, pretend-lion that he is.

The weapon chest God has given every believer, not only provides a full defensive shield to block anything the enemy may send his way, but it also contains the most powerful, armor-piercing, mountain destroying, offensive weapon in all of God’s creation.

Christians are told to put on the armor of God – to wear it – so they may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. This weapon chest contains the very armor of God! Ephesians 6:11-17, gives a description of each piece: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God. If you can picture a Roman soldier, standing in full battle gear, it’s easy to understand the importance of each piece.

Weapons of Defense

 Nothing in Satan’s arsenal can penetrate the armor of God. No missile can breach the shield of faith; no accusation can remove our breastplate of righteousness; no war or act of terror can stop the gospel of peace; the belt of truth will guard against all lies and deception; and the helmet of salvation will protect your mind against all doubt the evil one will attempt to instill.

All these pieces of armor are defensive weapons, meant to defend against all incoming attacks, enabling you to stand your ground. But there’s another weapon in God’s armor. This particular weapon will set the enemy back on his heels, and send him running for cover every time.

Weapon of Offense

There’s a piece of God’s armor meant to be used for more than defense. This piece will cause great harm to the enemy. As a matter-of-fact, this weapon will actually destroy the works of the devil.

“And take ….the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” Eph. 6:17.

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12).

The Word of God is alive and active. The Word of God made all of creation, and is what sustains it this very minute. “…the worlds were framed by the Word of God…” (Heb.11:3).  “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made…For he Spoke, and it was done; he Commanded, and it stood fast,” (Psalms 33:6-9).

God created all that is by speaking it into existence. But He also gave His Word for us to live by; to sustain us, to defend us, and to destroy the works of darkness. Jesus himself demonstrated exactly how to use this particular weapon – the Word of God.

When Satan came against Jesus to tempt him (Matt. 4:4-11), he tried three different approaches to get Jesus to bow down and worship him:

1^st Attempt:        Knowing Jesus was extremely hungry, Satan appealed to his physical needs, while at the same time casting doubt on Jesus’ identity.  He said, “If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” But Jesus answered, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

2^nd Attempt:       Satan, knowing man’s strong desire to show the world how “important” he is, appealed to Jesus’ ego, and said, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Jesus said, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

3^rd Attempt:        Satan’s final attempt was to appeal to man’s lust for power, fame, and fortune. After taking Jesus to a high mountain and showing him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he said to Jesus, “All these things will I give thee, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Then the devil left him.

Jesus walked fully clothed with the armor of God. Not only did everything the enemy send ricochet off Jesus’ armor, but every time the devil launched an attack, Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God to cast down and utterly destroy the enemy’s offense. Jesus opened his mouth and quoted scripture! Each reply Jesus gave to Satan was the Word of God quoted straight from the Old Testament!

Jesus is the perfect example of how we are to walk through this physical life. He said those who have faith in him will do what he did (John 14:12). As He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). First and foremost, we’re to be about our Father’s business (Luke 2:40). Jesus went about doing good everywhere he went. He only did what he saw the Father do, and only said what he heard the Father say. Followers of Jesus are to do the same, and we’ve been given the Holy Spirit to enable us to do that very thing. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth and tell us what’s ahead (John 16:13), as well as remind us of the words of Jesus (John 14:26).

You Will Be Opposed

 As we go about our Father’s business, being led by the Holy Spirit, there will be opposition. God’s enemy will attempt to steal, kill, and destroy anything, or anyone, involved in advancing the Kingdom of God on the earth. But we have nothing to fear. Jesus has already won! All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus (Matt. 28:18). And Jesus has given that authority to us, so we may trample on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).  This doesn’t mean the enemy won’t come against us; it means that when he does, we’re to walk in the authority given to us by Jesus Christ!

The moment anything comes against you, listen to the Holy Spirit. He will give you the instructions on what to do, and what to say, to the situation. Then do what Jesus did.

Open Your Mouth

Jesus told us to speak to the mountains (Matt.21:21). He said “…thy word is truth” (John 17:17), and “…the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). For example: if lack comes against you, open your mouth and speak God’s Word about the situation. You might say, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory” (Phil. 4:19). If sickness comes against you, open your mouth and speak to it, “Who his own self bare our sins…by whose stripes we were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). I suggest doing what David did when going up against Goliath. He selected five rocks to fire at his enemy. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in selecting several scriptures that speak specifically to the situation confronting you. Then stand firm, fully clothed in the armor of God, and draw your sword.

“And take ….the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword…”

Let’s use our God-given weapon, the sword of the Spirit, the very WORD OF GOD, to thwart everything the enemy brings our way!

God’s plan of redemption is complete. There is no war to be waged against Satan and his hosts, because they have already been dethroned, conquered, and deprived of their power. The Church is the triumphant one in Jesus! Our job is to STAND in the victory Christ has already won over our adversary, to be enforcers of that defeat with the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony!

Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus!

ToHimBeTheGlory!