A Sword Has Been Given to You!

God, in His wisdom, has equipped His children with an extraordinary weapon. The weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)! This may not seem like a true weapon, but the Greek word for this sword, which is “machaira”, will change your mind!  In fact, this word caused fear in the minds of those who heard it.

Machaira was a brutal weapon of murder that caused horrible pain. Compared to other swords, it was shorter and shaped like a dagger, and used only for close combat. It was razor sharp, and sometimes twisted like a corkscrew at the end, resulting in massive harm to the enemy. It inflicted a wound far worse than any other sword. Even the thought of this sword caused terror!

God used this type of sword to describe the violent force of using the “sword of the Spirit,” the Word of God, against satan. The Greek word for the Word of God is “rhema”. A rhema word is a quickened word, a word spoken clearly and vividly to you from God by the Holy Spirit. An example of this is when you are praying, and a Bible verse rises within you, informing your mind. God has supernaturally made you aware of a specific Word. This is a Word from God that you can stand on and claim for your situation. It is as if the Holy Spirit has put a sword in your hand, a spiritual weapon of great power that you can insert into the enemy by speaking it, disabling him.

Jesus shows us an example of using a machaira against satan when he tempted Him in the desert. Over and over again, as the devil tempted Jesus, a quickened Scripture rose from His mouth, thrusting the power of the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, into the enemy. The sword of the Word caused the devil to eventually flee from Jesus. Even in His weakened state, this weapon from God did its work, and Jesus was victorious!

Based on the Greek word for sword of the Spirit and the Word of God, Ephesians 6:17 may suggest this:

“The Spirit will place a razor-sharp sword at your disposal anytime the enemy gets too close. This sword’s power will be available the very moment the Spirit quickens a specific word for a specific situation you are facing.”

When difficult circumstances are trying to overtake you, when you are being tempted by the enemy, take time to be quiet before the Lord. Allow yourself to be still and listen. God is faithful to His Word, mighty and able to keep His promises to you. Out of your spirit, God will provide the exact word that you need right on time! This is a specific word from God for a specific purpose. This is a rhema word and a sword of power, a power that the enemy cannot stand against! And remember that God is watchful over you, waiting to respond to your need as you reach out to Him. He delights in you and longs for you to be the recipient of His love and grace.

Make the Word of God your vital necessity that it may be stored in your heart. Pray for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, to hear Him when He speaks, so that you may be receptive to a rhema word that will cause the devil to flee from you. Request revelation of this powerful weapon that God has made available to you, part of your inheritance as His child. Remember, you are fighting a spiritual battle, and you need a spiritual weapon of power, that is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God!

Inspired by "Sparkling Gems from the Greek", Volume 1, by Rick Renner; Page 77,78