The Bible – A Defensive Tool

 

 . . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  
Ephesians 6:17

Although the devil and his demon armies are destined for destruction, they are currently a serious threat and they must be resisted and beaten back. According to Apostle Paul, the best offensive weapons we have are the word of God and prayer.  Let's talk about the word of God and how it is used offensively.

When we align our self with the plan and purposes of Jesus by accepting Him as our Savior, we become part of the army that wars against Satan. The purposes of Jesus become our purposes and this sets us in a tactical position of direct opposition to the enemy.

So, before we go into the actual battle plan, we need to know that the battle is here and like Peter tells us:

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1 Peter 4:1

There are many different Scriptural strategies for battle that the bible outlines that can be used in spiritual warfare such as we see with Joshua, King David, Gideon, King Hezekiah, King Jehoshaphat, etc., but the basic battle plan for believers is revealed by observing how Jesus dealt with the enemy. The basic battle plan for spiritual warfare is based on six major points: 

             √    The Word of God
             √    Delegated Power and Authority
             √    Prayer
              √    Fasting
              √     Keys of The Kingdom
              √     The Name of Jesus

 To understand what we need in this spiritual battle, we must first know the word of God.  

One direct confrontation between Jesus and Satan came during a special period of temptation by the enemy. In this encounter, one of the major portions of our spiritual battle plan was revealed.

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.  Mark 1:12-13  (also Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13)

First Satan tried to get Jesus to turn stones into bread. The power of Jesus which soon was to turn water into wine surely could have turned stones into bread. But to do so in this situation would have been acting independently of God and using His power for personal benefit.

Next Satan tried to get Jesus to cast Himself down from the top of the temple. Note that Satan said "Cast thyself down." Satan could not cast Him down, because the power of Satan is a limited power.

Satan can persuade you to sin, but he cannot cast you down. James 1:14 tells us, every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust. He is not forced, but enticed. In this temptation, Satan used God's Word to back up his appeal, but he misapplied it

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.   Matthew 4:6

Misapplication of God's Word is a major strategy of Satan.  That’s why it is so important to rehearse God’s word; the written and the verbal.

In both of the first two temptations Satan said "IF you are the Son of God," do these things. For Jesus to have complied would have been admission that the verification of His sonship by God was inadequate. God had already spoken from Heaven confirming this relationship

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17

Satan always centers his attacks on your relationship with God.  That’s why you have to know who you are and where you stand in God.  If you’re unsure, use your digging tools:  prayer, fasting, meditation, praise and worship.

The final temptation was an appeal by Satan for worship. In return, Satan would deliver to Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Matthew 4:9

In these three situations of temptation, you can see the evil forces of the world, the flesh, and the Devil warring against Jesus. Jesus met the temptations of Satan with the Word of God. The Bible is a very important spiritual weapon and part of the armor of God. It is called "the sword of the Spirit"; the most effective offensive tool we have.  The Word of God is the only divinely inspired manual of spiritual warfare. Other books are useful only as they are in harmony with God's Word.

In meeting the temptations of Satan, Jesus used the Word of God. Jesus quoted specific Scriptures applicable to the immediate battle. He did not quote passages of chronology or history from the Old Testament. He quoted specific scriptures that were relevant to the situation at hand!  Jesus said,

"It is written . . ."  Matthew 4:4, 7, 9

When you use specific Scriptures, be sure they are in balance with the remainder of the Word of God.

They must be viewed in their context and applied in harmony with the total revealed Word of God.

In order to use the Word of God effectively in spiritual warfare, you must know the Word of God. You must study, meditate on it, speak it, memorize it and walk it out. Many defeats in life come because we do not know God's Word:

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  Matthew 22:29

The Word of God is our manual for warfare and reveals God's spiritual battle plan.

 

Biblical Studies

 

03/11/22