The Sword of the Spirit and Self-Control | Armor Up
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The Sword of the Spirit and Self-Control
Spiritual Warfare: The ongoing battle between Christians and the spiritual forces of evil, rooted in the struggle against sin, temptation, and the influence of Satan and his forces. It involves standing firm in faith, using God’s power and spiritual armor to resist the devil’s schemes, and relying on prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit for strength.
God’s Word is our powerful weapon, but self-control helps us wield it with wisdom and discipline.
SOUL TATTOO: The Sword of the Spirit is most powerful when guided by the hands of self-control.
1.) The sword of the Spirit is our offensive weapon.
Ephesians 6:17b (NIV) 17… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Revelation 1:16 (NIV) 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
- Filling up on God’s word makes your sword SHARP.
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
- The Word of God is also a defensive weapon.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- As a defensive weapon, daily application of God’s word makes your sword dependable.
John 1:1 (NLT) 1In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2.) Fighting spiritual battles wisely requires excessive self-control.
- Self-Control in using the Sword of the Spirit.
Proverbs 25:28 (ESV) 28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
- The Power of Precision.
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
- Living with Self-Control.
Titus 2:11-13 (ESV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…
How can you grow in self-control to be more effective in spiritual warfare?
3 keys on the Sword of the Spirit and how it relates to self-control:
1.) The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God and a spiritual weapon meant to help believers stand firm against the enemy’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
2.) The Word of God helps us exercise Self-Control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
3.) Using the sword of the Spirit requires discipline and knowledge.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Final thoughts on the Sword of the Spirit and self-control:
- The Word of God guards our minds and hearts.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) 3You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
The Word of God helps us exercise self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
Jesus Modeled perfect self-control with the Word of God.
Matthew 4:4 (NIV) 4“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
- Self-Control allows The Word of God to bear fruit in our lives.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
“Quit living in a place of defeat when our Heavenly Father has given us the VICTORY!”
SOUL TATTOO: The Sword of the Spirit is most powerful when guided by the hands of self-control.