Ephesians 6:17
KJV: “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
NCV: “…take the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.”
The word of God is like the sword that God has given us to fight against Satan. In the story of Jesus’ victory over the temptations of Satan, each time Jesus defeated Satan by declaring, “It is written” and it stands as “God’s infallible Word” [Luke 4:1-11; Mat.4:1-11]. Infallible means incapable error; dependable; reliable. When Jesus quoted “It is written,” it means that God’s word cannot be changed. God’s word cannot be compromised.
It is like Satan tried to manipulate, to work or handle skillfully, to manage artfully or shrewdly, often in unfair ways. Satan tried to “use” Jesus for his own selfish purposes. Jesus knew Satan’s goal from three different kinds of temptations. Jesus quoted, “It is written” from God’s word to defeat Satan’s selfish goal.
What was Satan’s goal? Satan wanted and today still wants to be number one, above God. In order to do that, Jesus would have to give in to Satan, but Jesus refused because God is to be worshiped, not Satan. This is where we learn from Jesus how to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
Dorothy: Why is it so important for me to study His word?
Since the beginning of my salvation at the age of 13, there were many battles and temptations that I had faced and there were times I became confused. Even though I would read through the Bible, but still I did not have the understanding of God’s Word to learn how to fight the temptations in the right way.
I was like a baby in Christ just learning to drink milk and not skillful with God’s Word yet. Through the years of studying God’s Word, and with the help of Holy Spirit, I grew spiritually and learned to see the difference between good and evil [Heb. 5:14]. KJV: But strong meat belongeth to them that are full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
NCV: But solid food is for those who are grown up. They have practiced in order to know the difference between good and evil.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that You, through the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to study Your Word. Your Word becomes our guide for daily living against our enemy, Satan. Thank You for the wonderful Word of Life in us. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
