Spiritual Weapons

(#897, Imperial, 1960)

Read Ephesians 6:17-24.

We continue to deal with our warfare.  The weapons are defensive (vs. 13-17a) and offensive (vs. 17b-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-5).

ƒ      The sword of the Spirit, v17.

w    The Bible is a sword.  It is of no use until it is unsheathed.  It cuts deeply for it is 2-edged (Heb. 4:12).  It discerns the thoughts (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

w    The Bible is a sword of the Spirit.  It is inspired by the Spirit.  The Spirit must reveal and interpret the Bible.  It must be wielded under His direction and power.

w    Our duty with regard to the Bible as the sword of the Spirit is to study it, bind it to our hearts, and employ it vigorously.

ƒ      Praying always, v18.

The metaphor of armor is now dropped, but not the idea of conflict.  What is now insisted on is of vital importance for successful warfare.

w    Praying always with all prayer.  This is in keeping with the whole of Scripture.

    1.  Enoch walking with God.

    2.  Abraham interceding for Lot.

    3.  Moses pleading on the mountain.

    4.  Elijah praying for rain.

    5.  Our Lord in Gethsemanae.

w    All prayer and supplication.  This means every form of prayer: secret, public and family.

w    At all seasons.

w    In the Spirit.  This means energized, directed and empowered by the Spirit (Rom. 8:26).

w    Watching with all perseverance.  We must keep awake.  No wandering thoughts or meaningless and insincere petitions will win this battle.  There must be unresting vigilance.

w    For all the saints.  The man prays best for himself who prays most earnestly for others.

w    Prayer should be specific, vs. 19-20.

The Christian is in a serious conflict.  Let us take up all the armor of God.