SPIRITUAL ATTACKS 7: THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Spiritual Attacks
a) Christians are fighting a daily battle. Not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. Believers do battle with fallen angels called demons, lead by the chief enemy of God, Satan. These enemies of God and of ours attack believers on a consistent basis.
b) What can Christians do to arm themselves against these spiritual attacks? How can a believer fight off theses spiritual attacks? God has provided a way. It is found in the Word of God – the Bible – and it is there that we can “armor up”, so to speak, against the Prince of the Power of the Air (Satan).
2. The Sword of the Spirit
a) The Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon that the Christian has at their disposal to fight off the enemy. Jesus used the Word of God (Scripture) to resist and fight off the Devil in the Temptation in the Wilderness.
b) In Luke chapter 4, Jesus is tempted by the Devil. In Luke 4:3-4, “The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.” Again in verses 5-8, “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Finally in verses 9-12, “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
c) Three times the Devil tried to tempt Jesus and each time Jesus used the Word of God. The best defense against temptation is a good offense and the offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God – the Bible). Putting it this way, if you get into the Word of God, the Word of God will get into you. We heard a pastor once say, “Show me a worn out Bible and I’ll show you a strong Christian.” David knew the value of hiding the Word of God in his heart. It helped him endure for so many years running for his life from King Saul. The Devil knows the truth but he hates it. When you feel temptations coming on or feel spiritual attacks hitting you, then reading or praying back Scripture is the most effective weapon there is. The Word of God is the very power of God Himself.
The End ...
1. Spiritual Attacks a) Christians are fighting a daily battle. Not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. Believers do battle with fallen angels called demons, lead by the chief enemy of God, Satan. These enemies of God and of ours attack believers on a consistent basis.
b) What can Christians do to arm themselves against these spiritual attacks? How can a believer fight off theses spiritual attacks? God has provided a way. It is found in the Word of God – the Bible – and it is there that we can “armor up”, so to speak, against the Prince of the Power of the Air (Satan).
2. The Sword of the Spirit
a) The Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon that the Christian has at their disposal to fight off the enemy. Jesus used the Word of God (Scripture) to resist and fight off the Devil in the Temptation in the Wilderness.
b) In Luke chapter 4, Jesus is tempted by the Devil. In Luke 4:3-4, “The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.” Again in verses 5-8, “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Finally in verses 9-12, “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
c) Three times the Devil tried to tempt Jesus and each time Jesus used the Word of God. The best defense against temptation is a good offense and the offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God – the Bible). Putting it this way, if you get into the Word of God, the Word of God will get into you. We heard a pastor once say, “Show me a worn out Bible and I’ll show you a strong Christian.” David knew the value of hiding the Word of God in his heart. It helped him endure for so many years running for his life from King Saul. The Devil knows the truth but he hates it. When you feel temptations coming on or feel spiritual attacks hitting you, then reading or praying back Scripture is the most effective weapon there is. The Word of God is the very power of God Himself.
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