"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places… and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:10-12,17
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23
“To keep the heart… is nothing else but this constant care and diligence of such a renewed man, to preserve his soul in that holy frame (attitude) to which grace has led him and strives to hold it…to keep the heart is carefully to preserve it from sin, which disorders it; and maintain that spiritual gracious frame (attitude), which equips it for a life of (happy) communion with God.” John Flavel, Volume Five of his Collective Works, p. 426
IN TAKING UP THE SWORD WITH THE SPIRIT:
1. How did Jesus contend with the devil?
“It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
"Jesus said to him, 'Again, it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew 4:7
“Then Jesus said to him, 'Begone Satan! For it is written, ‘you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:10
2. To understand the synergistic link between the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints," Ephesians 1:16-18
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
“Supposing we had awakened today to find everything concerning the Holy Spirit and prayer removed from the Bible….What difference would it make practically between the way we worked yesterday and the way we would work today and tomorrow? What difference would it make in the majority of Christians’ practical work and plans?... Isn’t much work done by human talent, energy and clever ideas? Where does the supernatural power of God have a real place?" Francis & Edith Schaeffer, L-Abri, p. 64-65
The church “Reformed and always reforming according to the Word of God”. Jodocus Van Lodenstein
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
"…how will he not graciously give us all things in him?" Romans 8:32
"…my shepherd…makes me lie down in green pastures…leads me beside quiet waters…restores my soul." Psalm 23:1
"…a tree planted by streams of water." Psalm 1:3
"…seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
"…I will boast only in the cross of Christ." Galatians 6:14