Are Your Children Putting On the Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 6-The Sword of The Spirit.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(Ephesians 6:10-17)

Please see:

Introduction

Part 1- Truth

Part 2-The Breastplate of Righteousness

Part 3- The Gospel of Peace

Part 4- The Shield of Faith

Part 5- The Helmet of Salvation



Part 6- Taking up the Sword of The Spirit Which is the Word of God:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)


Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 149:5-9)

The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit which we are to take up! From the Word of God we learn the great benefits of knowing and learning the Word of God and how to use it as a Spiritual Sword!

Here are a few points that tell us how the Bible is a Spiritual Sword:

We are blessed if we meditate on His Word... He promises that those who meditate on His Word day and night will be prosperous and useful to God!

Blessed is the man that walked not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)

We have victory over the enemy if we look unto the Lord and His Word and wait on Him:

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:7-8)

The Lord will fight for us with His Sword:

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deuteronomy 32:39-41

He guides us in the right path as we live this life, as we keep reading His Word:

Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

His Word helps us not to sin:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalms 119:9)



Have you read Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan? We discovered "Little Pilgrims Progress" when my children were yet small, it has been one of our favorite books to read and learn from.
Pilgrims Progress is written in allegory to teach spiritual lessons. To learn more about Pilgrims Progress and John Bunyan go here..also go here.



This section taken from Part 2 of Pilgrims Progress gives a wonderful allegory for using the Sword of the Spirit :




Valiant-For-Truth


Then they went on; and just at the place where LITTLE-FAITH formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What art thou?" The man made answer, saying, "I am one whose name is VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now as I was in my way, there three men did beset me, and propounded unto me these three things:


1. Whether I would become one of them?

2. Or go back from whence I came?

3. Or die upon the place? To the first I answered, I had been a true man a long season; and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:"
~ Proverbs 1:10-14 ~

Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third; and I told them my life cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and PRAGMATIC, drew upon me; and I also drew upon them.


"So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour; and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash; and so they betook them to flight."


Great-heart. But here were great odds, three against one!


Valiant. "'Tis true; but little and more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident,' etc.

"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident."
~ Psalms 27:3 ~


Besides," said he, "I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an ass?"


Great-heart. Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your succour."


Valiant. So I did, to my King,--who I knew could hear, and afford invisible help; and that was sufficient for me.


Great-heart. Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hast worthily behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him.


When he had taken it in his hand, and looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, it is a right Jerusalem blade!"


Valiant. It is so, Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit, and all.


"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
~ Ephesians 6:12-17 ~


"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12 ~


Great-heart. But you fought a great while, I wonder you were not weary.


Valiant. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand;

"He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil."
~ 2 Samuel 23:10 ~


and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage.


Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Thou shall abide by us: come in, and go out with us; for we are thy companions.




Valiant for truth used the Sword which represents the Word Of God.... this has been written as an allegory for our spiritual life, for us to apply to the battles in life. When the flesh, the devil, or the World tempts us to sin, we should call to mind the Word of God, which truly is a sharp sword to defeat the enemy of our souls!

After my children and I put on the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, we took up the Sword of the Spirit and I prayed something like this, "Dear Lord Jesus, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Please help me to meditate on your word, let it be in my thoughts day and night, and work as a two edged sword to fight against the enemy of my soul. Help me think on you all the day long." then my children would pray and take up the Sword..

Taking up the sword of the Spirit has helped to equip us for this evil day. My youngest children understand the importance of learning and reading God's Word. Now that they are adults they continue to read and meditate on the Word of God, it shows in their daily lives and our families discussions are predominantly on the Word of God, our favorite Book of all.


For more on the Sword of the Spirit, please go to this post: Are Your Children Filled With God's Holy Word? Let us teach our children to fill their minds with the Word of God!



Here is the commentary from Albert Barns about the Sword of the Spirit:



And the sword - The sword was an essential part of the armor of an ancient soldier. His other weapons were the bow, the spear, or the battle-axe. But, without a sword, no soldier would have regarded himself as well armed. The ancient sword was short, and usually two-edged, and resembled very much a dagger.

Of the Spirit - Which the Holy Spirit furnishes; the truth which he has revealed. Which is the word of God - What God has spoken - his truth and promises; see the notes on Heb_4:12. It was with this weapon that the Saviour met the tempter in the wilderness; Matt. 4. It is only by this that Satan can now be met. Error and falsehood will not put back temptation; nor can we hope for victory, unless we are armed with truth. Learn, hence:
(1) That we should study the Bible, that we may understand what the truth is.
(2) we should have texts of Scripture at command, as the Saviour did, to meet the various forms of temptation.
(3) we should not depend on our own reason, or rely on our own wisdom.
A single text of Scripture is better to meet a temptation, than all the philosophy which the world contains. The tempter can reason, and reason plausibly too. But he cannot resist a direct and positive command of the Almighty. Had Eve adhered simply to the Word of God, and urged his command, without attempting to “reason” about it, sire would have been safe.
The Saviour Mat_4:4, Mat_4:7,Mat_4:10, met the tempter with the Word of God, and he was foiled. So we shah be safe if we adhere to the simple declarations of the Bible, and oppose a temptation by a positive command of God. But, the moment we leave that, and begin to parley with sin, that moment we are gone. It is as if a man should throw away his sword, and use his naked hands only in meeting an adversary. Hence,
(4) we may seethe importance of training up the young in the accurate study of the Bible. There is nothing which will furnish a better security to them in future life, when temptation comes upon them, than to have a pertinent text of Scripture at command. Temptation often assails us so suddenly that it checks all “reasoning;” but a text of Scripture will suffice to drive the tempter from us.



Let us teach our children to put on the Whole Armor of God Daily!

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)

Are Your Children Putting On the Whole Armor Of God Daily? -- INTRODUCTION OF SEVEN PARTS

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thus with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Ephesians 6:10-18)

As I woke up to the radio alarm one morning, I was hearing a sermon about putting on the whole armor of God. I listened with great interest and remember very keenly hearing the, "still small voice" of God in the depth of my soul, telling me to apply this to my life. I heard the sermon again that day, (This station played sermons twice daily) and began to study Ephesians Chapter 6.

I WAS ALARMED! Was I hearing that we should put on the armor of God daily?
Could this be? But according to the sermon I had heard and the Word of God, yes, this is what we should do. I became very, very sober at the thought that my walk with God is daily . . Luke 9:23 "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. " and Ephesians 6:10-18, (above), this tells me I must put on the armor of God in order to stand in the evil day. I thought, this certainly is an evil day!

As I grew in the understanding of putting on the armor of God piece by piece, and practiced doing so, I became very excited to see the spiritual strength and deliverance God gave me through doing so.

It came to my attention that my young ones needed to know about the armor of God, but how was I to communicate this lesson to them? And so with prayer and seeking God's direction, I came up with a plan.

WE MADE A SOLDIER!

Our soldier and his armor pieces were made from cardboard. The soldier himself had to have armor placed over his clothing, so we used Velcro strips to fasten the pieces. Our soldier looked somewhat like the one pictured above. The children colored in the armor pieces and we wrote on each one it's meaning.

I explained to my young ones the duties of a Roman soldier and what each piece of armor was used for:

The Girdle--Here was the point of junction for the main pieces of the body-armor, so that the girdle formed the common bond of the whole, it helped to hold the armor together.

The Breastplate--The breastplate covers the vital parts, as the heart, to help protect from the sword of the enemy.

The Sandals or shoes-- the sandals, bound by thongs over the instep and round the ankle, and having the soles thickly studded with nails so they could stand their ground in times of battle.

The Shield-- The shield here described is that of the heavy infantry; a large, oblong shield, four by two and a half feet, and sometimes curved on the inner side. It served to shield from hard blows and arrows that were covered with a type of pitch and set on fire.

The Helmet--The protection for the head. The helmet was originally of skin, strengthened with bronze or other metal.

The Sword--serves both for attack and to parry the thrusts of the enemy.

I told them to think how a Roman soldier had to act on the mornings when a battle was about to begin. He would rise quickly when awakened, and immediately put on his armor piece by piece so he would be ready when the battle cry was heard, it meant his very life.

I told them to imagine this soldier jumping up and dressing in a clown suit instead of armor and then running out to the battle field. He wouldn't last long would he? No, because he had no protection and he would be cut down right away, not only that, but the enemy would probably laugh at him.

Then I explained our spiritual enemy, the devil. We memorized Ephesians 6 and talked about the unseen battle that is in the spiritual realm. We talked about the Captain of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ, and how He has all power over the enemy. Jesus told us to put on the armor, it is HIS armor, not ours, and we need to obey Him. The children were very excited about the whole idea and began the practice of putting on the armor.

This introduction about putting on the whole armor of God is simply to explain why we do so. For the next seven blogs I hope to explain each piece of God's armor and how we have been putting it on almost daily for the past 16 years, not as a ritual but as a living reminder and example of the spiritual battle we are all engaged in.

Here is a commentary by John Gill about the Armour of God, that I appreciate very much:

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God... Not that which God himself is sometimes clothed with, and uses against his enemies; but what he has provided for his people, and furnishes them with; the particulars of which are after mentioned: and it is called "the armour of God", because it is prepared by him for his people, and is bestowed on them by him; and because it is in its own nature divine and spiritual, and not carnal; and because it is provided for fighting the Lord's battles, and is used in them; and because the efficacy of it is from him, and the execution it does is owing to him: and it is whole, complete, and perfect; and all of it is useful, and no part to be neglected, but all to be taken and "put on"; which is not to make and provide this armour, but to take it, as in Eph_6:13; as being ready made and provided, and to expect and prepare for battle, and make use of it; and this supposes saints to be in a warfare state, and that they are in the character of soldiers, and have enemies to fight with, and therefore should be accoutred with proper and suitable armour, to meet them:

that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; who is the grand enemy of Christ and his people, and a very powerful and cunning one he is; so that the whole armour of God should be put on, which is proof against all his might and craft, in order to stand against him, oppose him, and fight, and get the victory over him, which in the issue is always obtained by believers; for they not only stand their ground in the strength of Christ, and by the use of their armour confound his schemes, and baffle all his arts and stratagems, but are more than conquerors through him that has loved them.

To be continued...God willing!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
(Ephesians 6:10)

Please See: Part 1-Truth
And: Part 2- Righteousness
Part 3- The Preperation of the Gospel of Peace
Part 4- The Shield Of Faith

Are Your Children Filled With God's Holy Word?

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(Psalms 119:11)

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
(Psalms 119:9)

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:7-9)

When my little ones were just small infants, I would read the Word of God to them while I was nursing and as they grew, they heard the Scriptures daily.
When they were 4 and 3 years old, God impressed it upon my heart to help them memorize the Scripture, but how?

I began reading the first chapter of Proverbs to them everyday...now, I didn't want them to become tired of doing this, so we made it into a "following" game, I in the front with my Bible and they behind, would wind around the house as a train (or go outside on nice days). It became great fun for us and my 4 and 3 year olds were quoting the entire chapter before long, without help. Then we would follow with chapter 2 and so on. . . before long they were able to quote 8 chapters of Proverbs by the ages of 6 and 5...
We also learned many of the Psalms that way, and other chapters from the other books of the Bible.
We read Proverbs daily. . . the day/the chapter, until the entire book of Proverbs was read for the month, then start over the next month. They could quote many verses because of this!

My children were filled with the Word of God! How wonderful !

Some dear friends have begun reading the First Chapter of Psalms every evening to their 2 year old, (almost 3). The other night the Dad asked, "Who wants to read Psalm 1 tonight?" Their little one said, "I do!" and sat at the table with her Daddy's Bible and quoted Psalm 1 ( with her very precious 2 year old voice.) by memory as if reading from the Bible! The joy and blessing from God upon them for doing this is very evident. Yes, there is great contentment and wells of joy springing out in the hearts and minds of parnets and children when God's Word fills them!

Oh dear mothers! Teach your precious children the Word of God! What is better then this?

Let not anything get in your way of teaching them scripture! When you begin teaching them Gods Word, you will find the greatest resistance from the enemy of our souls. . . but God is greater! This takes spiritual warfare! Pray for God to help you and deliver you, your husband and your children from the attacks of the enemy. Pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for help and strength, don't give up on this important mission just because you find it very difficult to do! Persevere in the battle! The enemy wants to destroy your children. . . pray for them, teach them God's way and live godly before them.

Are Your Children Filled With God's Holy Word?
Are You?

We must remember that teaching our children begins with taking a look at our own selves. Are we taking time with our Saviour? I have heard mothers complain that they don't have time to fellowship with God because of the children keeping them so busy. How about bringing the little ones into your fellowship? Teach them to kneel and pray with you, let them see you and hear you reading the Bible often. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another( your children included) in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord". (Colossians 3:16)

How old do your children have to be before they can memorize God's Holy Word? "If I had known" A thing I find myself saying. . . I would have begun MUCH EARLIER teaching them to memorize Scripture

How old do your children have to be before they can memorize Scripture? 5 Years old ? 7? 10?

How about starting with Zero years old? While a child is still in the womb!
Yes! unborn children can learn and start memorizing while still in the womb!

Here are just a few examples I found on the Internet that have studied "Life in the Womb". You might find this incredible:

http://www.bouncing-new-baby.com/Teaching_Baby.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Introducing-Your-Baby-To-Books-While-In-The-Womb-Isnt-As-Stupid-As-It-Sounds&id=305709

http://www.birthpsychology.com/lifebefore/earlymem.html . . . . Life Before Birth (very good)

"An important message of these diverse findings is that memory and learning seem to be a natural part of being human, including the first nine months in the womb and the years of infancy, defined as the time before speech. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that life in the womb is extremely active and interactive and the womb is, in fact, a classroom."

Learning in the Womb

Several studies suggest that children can learn while they are still in the womb. For example, newborns prefer the sound of their own mother's voice. In one experiment, they learned to change their pattern of sucking in order to activate a recording of their mother's voice instead of that of another woman. The preference appears to have been acquired before birth.
In another case, newborns preferred the sound of their mother's voice when it was adjusted to resemble what they might have heard in the womb.
In an even more amazing study, newborns stopped crying and responded to songs played on shows that their mothers watched while they were pregnant.
Prenatal learning seems to extend to the sense of taste as well. Mothers who maintained the same diet before and after they gave birth were more successful in breastfeeding than mothers who changed to a less spicy diet. This may reflect the child's preference for food the mother ate while she was pregnant because the mother's milk contains clues about her diet. From:
.http://www.sfuhl.org/f_learning_in_womb.htm

Oh mothers! Start now to fill your children with God's Wonderful Holy Word!
Is there ANYTHING Better?