‘… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ Ephesians 6:17.
In the same sentence that Paul mentions the need for the helmet of salvation, he tells us to take up the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. That is because they are intricately linked. We fight Satan’s lies by focusing our minds on the truth found in the Word. This is the only weapon Paul references and the only one we need in our fight against the devil.
As mentioned, this is exactly how Jesus overcame Satan’s attacks in the wilderness, as outlined in Matthew 4. Three times Satan tempted him to leave his identity, kingdom, and beliefs behind; three times Jesus responded by saying ‘it is written’ and quoting the Word of God. In the end, the devil left.
James tells us to ‘submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (4:7). That is what it means to stand against him. We must first ensure our intentions are inline with God's; that every area of our lives are in submission to his Word and will. Then, we gain power in our resistance of Satan.
It may not always be immediate, but once he knows we’re serious and have the power of God, he will flee in fear. Sometimes, we have to get spiritually and mentally violent towards him in order for this to happen: ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force’ (Matthew 11:12).
The writer of Hebrews further explains the concept of the Word as a sword, and its connection to the mind:
‘For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’ Hebrews 4:12.
To have victory over Satan’s attack on our mind, we have to know the Word of God, believe it, and continually bring it to mind every time we feel him trying to tempt us away from God’s truth. The Word also allows us to see our thoughts and motivations for what they are so we can make corrections when needed and bring them back into line with God’s will. In the end, by taking these steps and getting our mind on track, we overcome the devil.
For this, we also need the power of the Spirit.
‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ Ephesians 6:18.
While we need to take active steps to ‘put on the armour’ and stand against the devil, it’s not something we do on our own or in our own power. That is why Paul concludes this passage by reminding us to pray continually in the Spirit. We must rely on God and his direction at all times by going to him with all of our needs in prayer (Philippians 4:6). In the words of James, ‘the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (5:16).
Paul also reminds us to ‘watch’ with all perseverance. Once we have achieved victory over the devil in a particular area, we can’t let our guard down. It echoes Peter’s warning to:
‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith.’ 1 Peter 5:8-9.
We must always be strengthening our stand against him, watching for entries into our lives where he may try to get a foot in. It is part of the ongoing war we fight for God’s kingdom, and it’s one we’ll continue to fight until Jesus Christ makes his second appearance. In the meantime, we have all of his power and might so that we can speak to the devil as David spoke to Goliath:
‘This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee … that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.’ 1 Samuel 17:46-47.
Paul speaks of supplication (prayer) for all the saints (those who share the same faith), indicating the need to support each other throughout times of difficulty and attack. Prayer will always be an important defence in spiritual warfare, for ourselves and for each other. It allows us to communicate with our King, who in turn comes to protect and deliver us:
‘The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.’ Psalm 34:19.
Finally, we must remember that the armour is only powerful because it comes from God. In fact, it is God’s power expressed as armour. The power comes from having God’s spirit within us, as Paul says:
‘Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.’ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ 2 Timothy 1:7.
‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.’ Galatians 2:20.
Christian Israelites seek to have God’s spirit dwell within us (to be the life of our bodies), and when we do, it gives us the power we need to overcome Satan in all his forms and to say:
‘Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 15:57.
View other devotionals in this series