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Psalm 119:11, Ephesians 6:17

Wielding the Sword

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 27, 2025

The sword of the Spirit is the “word” of God. The Greek word for “word” is not the expected ‘logos,” which might, as Pentecost says, “refer to the Word in its totality; instead, he used an interesting and significant word (rhema) which refers to the Scriptures as composed of individual sayings.” In his book “Designed to Be Like Him,” J. D. Pentecost goes on to explain the significance of this distinction. He writes, “It is the Word in its applied sense. It is the Word that we have personally appropriated and experienced. When Paul uses this word, he teaches us a very important truth concerning the Word of God as a weapon. Only that portion of the Word which has particular relevance to the temptation at hand may be considered the sword that will defeat the enemy.”

If we’re to be like Christ, we must wield the sword like Christ did. Continuing the quote, “When Satan came to Christ with temptation, He used a specific verse that dealt with that specific problem, and He quoted that verse as the answer to the temptation. He took from the Scripture what was applicable to that particular temptation. You do not necessarily have a sword of the Spirit because you own a leather-bound, gilt-edged copy of the Holy Bible. You have the sword of the Spirit to use against Satan when that which is in the Bible has been transferred to your mind and heart so that when Satan comes, you can apply that which you have learned to defeat him in that particular attack.”

Again, continuing, J.D. writes, “The Word of God that you have appropriated is the sword of the Spirit.” It’s not the notes you have taken from retreat speakers. It’s not the books you have about the Bible. It’s what “you have written in your heart.” This struck me as correct because of David’s claim in Psalm 119:11. He says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Doing battle against temptation is the full and complete comprehension of God’s instructions to man, as they apply in every situation. In conclusion, my commentator says, “You must study the Word and appropriate the Word so that you may be able to stand. As a Christian soldier, you can have victory because you know the Word of God, have appropriated it, and know how to use it when you are tempted.”

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Ephesians 6:18

The Practice of Prayer

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 26, 2025

After the Apostle Paul spends some time explaining the individual items of the armor of God, he concludes saying that after we’ve put on the armor and taken up the shield and the sword, we must be “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:18). James Boice puts it this way, “…you and I can be clothed in God’s armor—having the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit—and yet fail to triumph because we do not call upon God.”

Prayer is often perceived as a secondary effort, something the cheerleaders do while the real warriors are in the midst of battle. This is a grave strategic misconception. Prayer, in fact, is one of the most potent offensive strategies of a Christian Warrior. Boice shares an illustrative anecdote: “A significant military disaster of the early Middle Ages was the defeat of the knights of Charlemagne in the approach to a narrow defile in the Pyrenees. It is recounted in the Song of Roland. What makes the story so poignant is that the defeat was avoidable. Roland, the commander of Charlemagne’s rear guard, could have summoned help from the main body of the army simply by sounding his great horn Oliphant. But he chose not to. Pride restrained him. Because he failed to invoke his secret resource, Roland’s troops were slaughtered. Similarly, many Christians can attribute the secret of a defeated life to a lack of prayer.”

There is an intimate connection between the Armor of God and prayer. Many Christians grew up singing the old hymns of the faith, and one of them is “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.” You’ve probably sung it many times. The first Stanza goes like this:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

A later Stanza and one that addresses this final exhortation about the role of prayer in our daily battles with the powers of darkness says this:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

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Ephesians 6:17

Facing the Enemy

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 25, 2025

Chapter 12 of Joshua lists the victories of Moses on the East side of the Jordan River and then the victories of Joshua on the West side of the Jordan River. The list of Joshua’s victories includes 31 kings and kingdoms. It’s pretty impressive. The interesting thing about Joshua is that he never retreated. He always pressed forward in battle. He was always on the offensive. I’ve often heard it said that the best defense is a good offense. The Sword of the Spirit, i.e., the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon provided to believers with which we do battle with our archenemy, Satan. Our culture is filled with counterfeits of the faith. Many offers are made to us daily to exchange God’s truth for some culturally relevant or popular idea. It is said that the best way to recognize counterfeit money is to get to know the real stuff so well that you see what’s wrong with the fake money immediately.

There is no attack that we’re not equipped to handle. As Robert Morgan eloquently puts it, even in our modern age of technology, we’ll never face any temptation that isn’t addressed in the Bible. There are verses for every challenge we’ll ever face, and we need to find and memorize the verses we’re apt to need along the way. God’s word not only addresses every temptation, but it also provides solace and guidance for every trial, hurt, pain, or struggle anyone will ever face. God’s word is all-sufficient for our lives. But we need to train ourselves with God’s Word. We need to practice swinging God’s Words at our enemies, finding strength and comfort in its comprehensive wisdom.

There is one other crucial aspect of the “whole” armor of God addressed in Ephesians chapter six that we should consider. The armor provides no protection for one’s back, symbolizing the need to always face the enemy. If we fail to “stand” and face our enemy, we expose unprotected parts. If we retreat and give ground rather than resist, we open ourselves to attack. Joshua, in his charge of taking the land, never retreated. God has charged us with taking the spiritual land in each of our lives. We too, need to remain on the offense, constantly practicing with our swords and becoming skillful with God’s Word. This is not a passive battle, but an active one, and our determination and resolve are key to our victory.

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Ephesians 6:17, Psalm 119:103

Sweeter than Honey!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 24, 2025

All of the pieces of the armor of God are defensive in nature except one. Some would argue that the shield might be used to bash an opponent, but that’s not the intended use. The Sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), is the only truly offensive weapon. To wield this weapon with skill requires practice. One must spend time knowing, understanding, and appreciating the weapon’s intricacies. David says, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (See Psalm 119:103). There’s an old illustration many preachers have used to explain the importance of spending time soaking up God’s Word. It uses the butterfly, botanist, and bee!

Butterflies float from flower to flower, pausing for just a second or two before moving on. It touches many flowers but doesn’t get much from the encounter. Many people are like butterflies when it comes to God’s word. They really get little from the encounter. Botanists, however, will spend hours focusing a microscope on the pedals, the stems, and the stalks while taking notes. When he’s finished, he puts his microscope away and closes his notebook. There’s a wealth of information in the notes and in his head. But it doesn’t affect his life. Some people treat their bibles like the botanist treats their flowers. It’s filled with information; they have written all kinds of notes on its content, but when done, simply close it and walk away. The honeybee, however, settles upon the flowers and makes his way deep into the very heart from which he draws the sweetest nectar from which he produces honey to feed many. The bee takes away all it can carry. It goes into the flower empty but comes out full.

Butterflies move from popular preacher to popular preacher, from Bible Class to Bible class, fluttering here and there, looking for another nice feeling. The spiritual botanist takes notes. They focus on each detail of words, grammar, and culture, but it’s all purely academics. The bee draws out wisdom and truth and puts those sweet nuggets to work in their lives, providing for others. MacArthur concludes after retelling this illustration by asking, “Which one are you?” He goes on to suggest that when God’s Spirit rules in our lives, when we get into our bibles, we will “come in and go out full—again and again and again. You will know how to use your sword of the Spirit, on defense, on offense, and in any way you need. Then in the daily spiritual battle, you will have your fair share of the thrill of victory.”

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Ephesians 6:16

The Word of God

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 23, 2025

Paul instructs us to put on or take up the various articles of the armor of God. The last piece of the Armor of God is the sword of the Spirit, “which is the Word of God.” The history of mankind is usually punctuated entirely by war. Life proceeds until war consumes. A new life proceeds until another war consumes. Someone said that the history of mankind has less than 300 years in which peace was the norm. War is the norm for us! We live by the sword. Jesus once said, “If you live by the sword, you will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). In that context, Jesus was responding to Peter’s attack on Malthus, in which he cut off his ear. One who lives a violent life will die a violent death. Taking up the “sword of the spirit” is not taking up a literal sword. It’s the word of God.

MacArthur observes, “Now when we think of a sword, we usually think of a long thing that someone flails around. The Greek word for that type of sword is rhomphaia. But the Greek word used here is machaira, which refers to a short, small dagger. The sword of the Spirit, therefore, is not a huge sword that you just flail around, hoping that you’ll whack off the head of a demon sooner or later. It is not something you use indiscriminately or wildly. But the sword of the Spirit is a machaira; it is a dagger, incisive, must hit a vulnerable spot, or doesn’t do any damage. The sword of the Spirit is not something general, but specific, allowing us to focus our efforts and strike at the heart of our spiritual battles.

When we see the phrase “Word of God” we are often looking at the English translation for the Greek word “Logos” for word. But this is not the case in this phrase. The word here is “Rhema.” I’m certain I can’t say it as well as MacArthur does, so let me quote him again. “When the Bible wants to speak of a specific, it uses the word rhema. Now it means ‘a specific statement.’ So the sword of the Spirit is the specific statement of the Word of God that meets the specific point of temptation.” I’ll add to MacArthur’s comment by reminding you that this is exactly how Jesus used God’s Word as he refuted Satan’s temptations while he fasted in the desert. MacArthur continues, “Now some people may say, ‘Well, I have the sword of the Spirit—I own a Bible.’ Listen, you could own a Bible warehouse, and you wouldn’t have the sword of the Spirit. Having the sword of the Spirit is not owning a Bible, but knowing the specific principle in the Bible that applies to the specific point of temptation.” Let me then, remind us all of the importance of studying God’s Word (logos), the bible. From it comes God’s word (rhema). It’s the comprehension and application of the truth of the principles of scripture that is the source of victory, enlightening us and guiding us in our spiritual journey.

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Ephesians 6:16, 1 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18

Limited Damage Only!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 22, 2025

When Paul addresses the subject of the Armor of God, he includes the shield, the breastplate, the boots, and the helmet. The helmet did not prevent the blows from coming. It just protected the wearer from ultimate damage. It didn’t prevent pain! The blows to the head would still hurt but would not be fatal. Even today, however, helmets are not always effective. We still hear of those wearing helmets who take fatal blows. But the helmet of salvation is absolute protection against any fatal blow. Paul tells the Corinthian believers, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed” (1 Corinthians 4:8-9). We take many blows, but none of them will be fatal! This is the assurance of the Armor of God, providing us with a sense of safety and security in the midst of life’s challenges.

Notice that the first pieces of armor are put on: the belt, the breastplate, and the boots. The next three are the shield, helmet, and sword. Instead of being “put on,” they are “taken up.” The Greek text uses a different word for “take up” when it refers to the helmet. In his commentary on the passage in Ephesians, Rasnake says that my helmet “protects my head from fatal blows. There is an interesting change of pattern when we get to verse 17. Rather than using the same word he used in verse 16 for ‘taking’ up the shield of faith (analambánō), Paul uses a different word to “take” the helmet of salvation (déchomai), which literally means ‘receive.’ Again, if salvation is our helmet, how can we take it off?”

You see, the blows hurt! We all suffer in this world. It’s just part of the human experience, a shared journey of pain and endurance. Let me remind you once again of another very familiar passage that Paul writes to the Corinthians. He says that since we know the blows are not fatal, “…we do not lose heart! Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (1 Corinthians 4:16-18). We are all secure in Christ. When we put on Christ, we put on our armor. They are permanently fixed at our salvation. In Hebrews 13:5 God assures us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then in verse 6 the writer asserts, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”

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The Warranty

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 21, 2025

In Ephesians 6, Paul teaches us about Spiritual warfare and the armor of God. Paul uses a metaphor when he speaks of the “helmet of salvation.” Being saved, through faith, by God’s marvelous grace, there is protection from the onslaughts of the enemy. Our focus should not be on our failures but on the victory that will ultimately be ours regardless of the circumstances of our present moment. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul tells them and us, “…let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” We have a guarantee of victory. Believers come with an unbreakable warranty written by God in the blood of His son. It goes into effect the moment we put our faith in Christ.

In the 1600’s, Oliver Cromwell, known as the Lord Protector of England, had never lost a battle. It’s often argued that his victory through all kinds of adversity was the result of his trust in God and the Salvation that awaits him after this life. Boice says that Cromwell and his army “…knew that their destiny was secure and that they were fighting because God had led them to that spot and would prosper them in that work. There is a sense in which that should be true of us. True, we suffer setbacks in our attempts to live the Christian life. Even Paul said that he was sometimes tripped up by Satan’s onslaughts: ‘hard pressed … perplexed … persecuted … struck down’ (2 Cor. 4:8–9). But these momentary setbacks are not the end, nor are they even utter defeats. For Paul said, ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. … Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away; inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:8–9, 16–18).”

What was true for Cromwell and his men is also true for all believers. The battles come! They press us. The corner us! They assault our joy! They confuse us! They bring doubt! They bring discouragement! They bring Depression! And, unlike what was said of Cromwell, we even lose battles. We experience occasional defeat. It’s well known that In 1831, Abraham Lincoln failed in business. In 1832, Abraham Lincoln was defeated for state legislator. In 1833, Abraham Lincoln tried a new business, and failed. In 1835, Abraham Lincoln’s fiancée died. In 1836, Abraham Lincoln had a nervous breakdown. In 1843, Abraham Lincoln ran for congress and was defeated. In 1848, Lincoln ran again, and was defeated; again. In 1855, Lincoln ran for the Senate, and lost. In 1856, Lincoln ran for Vice President, and lost. In 1859, Lincoln ran again for the Senate. He was defeated. But all that doesn’t matter. We know the ultimate result! God guarantees our ultimate victory. Just as Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860 and has come down to us in history as one of the greatest of our presidential leaders, so too, we’ve won God’s election! We too will have ultimate victory! It’s guaranteed.

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Ephesians 6:16, Titus 1:2

Security & Assurance

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 20, 2025

Just a few years before he passed away, J. Vernon McGee was the commencement speaker at Dallas Theological Seminary. It was a pleasure to hear this 80+-year-old man explain some of the more difficult doctrines of our faith in a simple, home language that we could all understand. He does that well in his writings as well. In one text, he writes about the subject of eternal security. He explains, “There is also a sharp difference between eternal security and assurance. Nevertheless, they are two sides of the same subject. It’s like two sides of a door. Eternal security is the exterior—that’s the outside of the door. Assurance is the inside of the door, and that’s internal. Eternal security is objective—it depends on what is outside of us. It doesn’t depend on anything inside of us. Assurance depends on the inside. It is subjective. Eternal security is not an experience at all. Assurance is experienced. And eternal security is theological, while assurance is psychological.”

He goes on to clarify even further when he discusses salvation in general. He says, “There is actually no difference between salvation and security. Will you notice this? The only salvation God is offering is eternal salvation. He’s not offering any other kind. The kind of life that God is offering is eternal life. This is quite simple, yet it is important to see.” He uses John 3:36 to illustrate this truth from a biblical passage. It says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” We could find dozens of passages that further support McGee’s observation that the only kind of salvation offered by Jesus is “eternal” salvation. John 3:16 is key also. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” What kind of life? Everlasting!!

It is essential to shift our understanding of eternal security from a theological concept to a personal assurance. This is the truth that Paul was conveying to Titus when he said, “This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began” (Titus 1:2). John MacArthur, in his commentary on the book of Romans, aptly points out, “Many Christians, including many in our own day, refuse to believe that God guarantees the believer’s eternal security. This denial is tied to the belief that salvation is a cooperative effort between men and God, and although God will not fail on His side, man might-thus the sense of insecurity. Belief in salvation by a sovereign God alone, however, leads to the confidence that salvation is secure, because God, who alone is responsible, cannot fail. Beyond that theological consideration, Paul is saying that the truth of eternal security is clearly revealed by God to us, so that all believers are able with certainty to know the comfort and hope of that reality if they simply take God at His word. God’s child need never fear being cast out of his heavenly Father’s house or fear losing his citizenship in His eternal kingdom of righteousness.”

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