Spiritual Armor: The Word

My friend's testimony goes something like this.

He visited church as a child with a friend. The Sunday School teacher told them that when the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus defeated him with The Word, so when the devil comes after us, we can also defeat him with the power of The Word. My friend ran home and excitedly reported this discovery to his mother, who asked what word should be used. My friend said, with some disappointment, that he didn't know, because the teacher never did say which word it is that defeats the devil.

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified … so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled …
~ John 19:34-36 (NKJV)

Which Scripture is fulfilled by Jesus' birth and ministry, death and resurrection?

The entirety of it.

Which Word defeats the devil?

The entirety of it.

"The reason some of us are not healthy spiritually is because we don't use the Bible as the Word of God, but only as a textbook."
~ Oswald Chambers

I defy any person to read through the Bible in a year and not discover new power in the process, no matter how many times it is done. Scripture is not static, but dynamic. Though recorded with ink and paper, or on hard drives, or in human memory, the Word of God is "living and powerful" (NKJV), "quick and powerful" (KJV), "alive and active" (NIV), because the Word of God is personified in the Son of God (John 1:1,14).

We have opportunity to know The Word and build our lives on Him (Wednesday's post). If we will train daily with The Word, applying it in to everyday situations, we will be ready to wield The Word as the sword of the Spirit in the hour of attack.

All other pieces of armor are defensive. A sword may be either defensive or offensive, useful to not only repel an attack, but also to strike at the heart of the enemy.

But if we take up the sword and are not well practiced with its use, it is a weapon which may turned back upon us.

"To speak of 'mere words' is much like speaking of 'mere dynamite.' "
~ C.J. Ducasse

Lord, You are beautiful and glorious, as our Father, as Jesus the Savior and Living Word, as the Spirit of Truth. Please draw us to know You, and to practice applying Your Word daily, so we are well trained in its use against the enemy.

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.