Take Out Your Sword
Here’s why renewing the mind (Romans 12:2 NIV) is important. Because we begin to see the Almighty more clearly. But we also start to heal from the painful lies the enemy has been telling us about ourselves, since childhood. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul says the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Jesus effectively used this sword when the devil tempted him in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. Our feelings of shame, rejection and worthlessness slowly disappear when we begin to see ourselves through God’s eyes.
E.M. Bounds taught that the sword of the Spirit must be pulled out of it’s scabbard to be effective. In other words we must confess the the truths of Scripture out loud.
So here are some examples of how I use this spiritual weapon.
Sword Work – Old Testament
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)
I didn’t have a good grasp of this verse, until I realized Jesus always spoke words of life. He did rebuke the Pharisees, but even those words were life-giving if they repented and received them.
My re-phrasing:
I choose to offer life to those I meet; words of encouragement, thanks and praise. By choice, I will not fire off words of death and destruction; sarcasm, cruel mockery and mean-spirited gossip.
From Psalm 91:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 NIV)
When I started to confess these two verses, I realized one day that I am always under the Almighty’s protection. I’m never out from under His shadow. As Christians, even if we wander off, the Holy Spirit still goes with us.
Lord, I am never outside Your protective presence. I do dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and rest in Your shadow. I can trust you with my life 100%, because everything which comes my way is filtered through Your loving hands.
Sword Work – New Testament
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)
God’s word is true, no matter how we resist it.
I am innocent before God, because of Jesus’ sacrifice. I will never be judged and found guilty before the Almighty, and never condemned. In fact, I am 100% free from the law of sin and death. My Savior stood guilty in my place and paid the penalty—it truly is finished.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV).
Okay, this truth blows my mind, but it’s still true. Because divine truth is not dependent on my feelings. So here’s my confession.
I am now the righteousness of God. Jesus and I swapped places for a time and it changed me forever.
Last verse.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
I usually claim this verse out loud when I’m experiencing a crisis.
Lord Jesus, this hurts. I’m in so much emotional pain right now I can barely stand it. But You’re the only One in the universe who brings good out of evil. Your crucifixion was a great evil, but by it, You opened Heaven for all of us. Use this painful time in my life. Bring forth eternal, life-changing fruit.
My Spiritual Point
When we pull out the Spirit’s sword and speak God’s word over our lives regularly, our minds align with divine truth and we are changed.
I downloaded these images from Pixabay.com.
Editor’s Note: Why did I use jedi swords this week? Well, I’m a bit of a Star Wars fan and a light saber still qualifies as a sword, doesn’t it?
