Episode 142 – Armor of God Pt 7: Sword of the Spirit
Key Passage(s): Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 4:1-11
The final weapon in the armor of God, and our last line of defense, is the Sword of the Spirit which Paul says is the word of God. When Paul talks about God’s words, he uses a very particular Greek word, rhema, which means “a word that is given.” Sometimes in the midst of battle, the Holy Spirit gives us a word from God to use in the fight. Other times, the Spirit recalls the words of God that we’ve committed to memory, and that we need most to stand firm in the midst of the onslaught. In this final episode of our mini-series, you’ll learn how to wield the very words of God in order to fight a decisive battle against the evil one.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the Armor of God teaching series?
- When was a time in your life where it seemed like the Holy Spirit gave you a very specific word from God that gave you strength, encouragement, or direction?
- When or in what way has the Holy Spirit reminded you of Scripture when you were in a difficult or challenging situation?
- It almost seems like if you cut Jesus, he bleeds the Bible. What typically comes out of you when you’re cut, challenged, or pressed in the battle? ‘
- If both Jesus and Paul saw the Scriptures as a potent weapon against evil, why don’t we?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?
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Thank you, Brad. I really enjoyed this much-needed series for the day in which we live. I don’t think I can hear these too many times, so I will more than likely be going through these different armor pieces again as often as I need to until these truths are firmly rooted in memory. I have been in the Word of God since I was about 20 years old, I wasn’t always a believer, nor did I grow up in a godly home. I was radically transformed when I was suicidal after returning from the army and on the highway about to end it all when I cried out to the Lord, “God if you are real, now would be a good time for you to show me you are because I don’t see any reason to keep living”. I remember the Lord entered my heart in such a powerful way that I drove back home completely filled with the Holy Spirit full of joy. One doesn’t go from one extreme to another all on one’s own in a genuine way unless it was supernatural and mine certainly was.
Since that time, I began reading the Word of God and have continued until this day. I am now 68 years old. He has done a work in my life and “cleaned me up from the inside out” from all my sins, so now I can say that in ALL things I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Life can still be a struggle but knowing the Lord is Lord of my life and still on His throne, has been a significant change for me. I still can’t get enough of God’s Word.
I used to go to Central Wesleyan for over 20 years and was there when you were pastor, but I have since left that church. I didn’t feel they were teaching scripture anymore, nor did I sense the Lord’s presence in the spoken Word I was hearing because what I was hearing did not make sense nor line up with scripture, so I had to ask myself why. When I became more focused on listening for those scripture references with the message but didn’t find that, I decided to leave.
I believe we are living in the end times where there has been a “great falling away” from God’s truth. If I had not been grounded in truth for so many years myself, I could easily have been deceived as well. I thank God for the sound teaching of scripture, thank you for being one of them, it is becoming harder and harder to find this solid teaching in our churches. Keep up your good work, I feel that is why the Lord sent you to Nashville and begin this ministry because I know of us who knew you from Central still follow you online, but you are reaching others like us who have seen their churches disintegrate during these last couple of years. God Bless you as you continue to follow Him.
Wow, that’s a powerful story of how God met you, Barbara. Thank you for sharing that. And I’m sorry you struggled with things at Central. They’re great people there. And thank you for your kind and encouraging words about the work we’re doing here at Walking The Text. We’re grateful to God to be able to serve people in the way we do, and we pray that we’ll continue to be faithful in the work God has given us to do and that others will be encouraged and inspired to be faithful in their walks with Jesus. Thank you!
Brad you challenged me to learn more scripture in the new year. I know when I am angry or frustrated scripture is not what comes to my mind first.
I am glad you were challenged by that, Sue. I was too 🙂 I’ve committed to putting more Scripture to memory in the New Year as well.
Thank you SO much for this series on the Armor of God! I’m a 39 year old who was raised in a great Christian home, so His Word was instilled in me for a firm foundation. In my late 20’s and early 30’s I found myself looking to the world for answers that only God could provide. This eventually lead me into drug use and a prison sentence. When I was in there, I rededicated my life to Him and have been digging deeper into His word so I can stand firm when the battle comes. Thank you again for this and all your knowledge you are sharing.
Really appreciate you sharing this, Diana. I’m grateful that God met you in a difficult season in your life, and that you responded in rededication to Him!
Brad I loved the way the Holy Spirit guided you to teach these series about the armour of God. Now I have a different and a better perspective that will be very helpful for my life. Thank you very much for putting your heart into your ministry and glorifying God through it!
So glad to hear, Andrea.