The Sword of the Spirit

The Armor of God: The Sword of the Spirit

Did you know that God’s word is one of the most powerful weapons that God has made available to the soldier in His army?  

In Ephesians 6:10-18, as Paul is teaching on the armor of God, in verse 17, he instructs the believer to not only take the helmet of salvation but also to “take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The sword we are commanded to wield is the word of God, and it is this sword the Spirit of God puts into the hands of the people of God to wield according to the purposes of God! 

Did you know that this sword is not the written word of God? Rather, it’s the spoken word of God. The term Paul uses for “word” is the Greek word rhema. This word describes something communicated by the Holy Spirit to your inner man. It’s the Holy Spirit drawing from the reservoir of scripture inside of you, bringing the word of God to bear on a person: a direction, a calling, or against our adversary, or some other intention. It might be a personal message to you, or it might be God telling you to speak it out to another. Whatever the case, if called upon, humbly be ready to wield the word of God like a mighty sword. Always remember, if you want God to speak to you in this way and if you want to wield the sword of the Spirit as a good soldier of Christ, then the written word of God must be the central and foremost priority in your life because it is from the reservoir of scripture deep inside of you that the rhema of God speaks from.   

Beloved, the rhema of God is a mighty sword! It’s the word of God in your mouth, it’s the mind of God in your speech, it’s the truth of God in your confession, and it is the power of God in your witness! Hallelujah!  

This is Laine Wilder for Carry the Light Ministries, bringing you Insights From an Elder.

by Laine Wilder

author of “Insights From an Elder” for

Carry the Light Ministries