… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. EPHESIANS 6:13-17 ESV
Swords Are a Call to Action
Read Prayerfully
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. PSALM 119:18 NIV
Swords Are for Deflecting the Enemy
The temptation of Jesus: MATTHEW 4:1-11 ESV
Lie One: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Jesus: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (From Deuteronomy 8:3)
Lie Two: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus: “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (From Deuteronomy 6:16)
Lie Three: “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Jesus: “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” (From Deuteronomy 6:13) Then the devil left him.
Swords Are for Killing
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ROMANS 8:13 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart HEBREWS 4:12 ESV
Extract the Main Idea: 6 things to look for: Reasons, Repetition of Idea, Warnings, Commands, Promises, Description of God
Apply It to My Life: 6 questions to ask: Is There an Example to Follow? Sin to Avoid? Command to Obey? Promise to Hold? Prayer to Repeat? Warning to Observe?
A Sword Points Us into the Battle
Let It Out
Who do I need to tell?