The Holy Spirit- The Sword
By: Jennie Elizabeth Moon
Ephesians 6:10-20 tells us, "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might & put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (vs.10)
We have ultimately enrolled in the "Armed forces" protecting the Saints & our souls, defending our Faith & The truth for which we stand for.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (vs.12)
“Love is a battlefield”
If God tells you "I want you" (Famous Uncle Sam) to do His work, He will tell you how to do it. (Isa. 55:8-11). We use spiritual weapons to break down barriers in men's minds and to claim them for Christ (2 Cor. 10:1-6). Joshua had courage to face the enemy (Exodus 17:8-16) and faith to believe God for victory. Even Joshua’s very name remind people that he had faith in God (Hoshea- Jehovah is Salvation).
“It is essential for us to endure these trials to trust God and continue to submit to Him through them all."
God permitted Satan to test job, Peter & Paul. In the loving will of God, suffering has a purpose that can be fulfilled in no other way. Except it, and it will become a heavenly blessings; fight it, and it will become a heavy burden. Each individual piece of armor (Our Sovereign God) equips us to fight the good fight.
Jesus & the Father dwell with us:
"The helper, The Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26
Why should our hearts be troubled?
The World’s Opposition:
"When The Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come." John 16:13
Do you allow The Holy Spirit to teach you?
The Spirit helps us witness to the world & glorify Christ before the World (“Then Peter, filled with The Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!” Acts 4:8) so depend on him.
"Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said,
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And
Having said this He breathed his last." Luke 23:46
(“With [His] peace,He will rescue my soul from the war waged against me, because there are many [soldiers fighting] against me.” Psalm 55:18)
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Luke 24:38-39
Messiah must suffer and die before entering His Glory.
Life:
"If The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11
Let the Spirit live His life in you.
Use Spiritual Weapons:
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.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
"The battle rages on As storm and tempest roar We cannot win this fight Inside our rebel hearts We're laying down our weapons now"
"We raise our white flag We surrender All to You All for You"
"We raise our white flag The war is over Love has come Your love has won." (Lyrics: White Flag by Chris Tomlin)
"Death has been defeated, Victory has Won."
“Every Christian Soldier has a place to fill; if we are following His orders, the church will win the battle!”
Christ died for the sins of the world. "I am crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20) taking up your cross, "everyday" and dying for His sake. Just as he gave His life, we shall also give ours, to Him. When we take up our cross, it’s invisible, but noticeable, because people "see" us as followers. When we preach the gospel and give are testimony, we give proof, that we live a "WWJD" life: our walks become those actions, and people witnessed Him in us. Our belief, faith etc. is shared/shown as we practice to be Christ like. Individuals (the dead) who do not trust Him will die in their own sins. Satan attacks with his army of Demons & the Saints defend the gospel-
A birth, A Savior and A witness from above:
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:5-7
Nicodemus:
Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, but he finally came out into the light and identified with the Lord Jesus (19:38-42). Nicodemus gave Jesus an honest hearing (7:45-52), examined the Word, and became a believer.
Believers often say they are “Christians” anyone can give themselves that label but you are not a Christian unless you are born again. If you are a born again Christian, you are a Christian. If you are a Christian you have been born again!!!! You do not need to tell people you have been born again because if you're a Christian, you have been born again. Saying you are a born again Christian, makes no sense. You were not a “Christian” at all before you were born again. You only became a Christian when you were born again!
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
