Thursday
Read – Ephesians 6:14-18, Psalm 33:4
SOAP – Ephesians 6:14-18
Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
God’s word is necessary in fighting the schemes of Satan. Again today we see Paul’s instructions to protect ourselves with spiritual armour. He probably used this word picture to describe God’s protection because armoured Roman soldiers were common throughout the Roman Empire.
The sword carried by the Roman soldier was short and two-edged. Soldiers used it to strike and cut in hand-to-hand combat. In Paul’s description it is the soldier’s only offensive weapon. The original Greek here for “word” (rhema) refers to the spoken word of God rather than to the written Word (logos). The verse is referring to the words of Scripture that we use to counteract particular temptations that we face. When we speak God’s words there is power. The Holy Spirit both gives us the Word and empowers it as we use it.
Lord, thank You that Your Word has power. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who reminds us of everything Jesus has said to us and brings truth to mind at the right time to fight the lies of the enemy. Help us to store up Your Word in our hearts and to remember the power that lies within us. Amen.