Standing firm against the schemes of the enemy
Dressed to Kill, by Rick Renner, is one of the best books on spiritual warfare Ive read. In it he discussed five packs of swords that the Roman soldier could use. In the Ephesians 6 apostle Paul, identifies seven pieces of armor that we are to use so that we may stand firm against the enemy.
In Roman times the most deadly sword was called a machaira sword. Rick wrote about how Ephesians 6:17, “And take up…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
The pole Paul said in Ephesians, that the sort of the spirit is the word of God. This is the rhema, a word which is an inspired utterance from the Lord. It can be defined as a spoken word by a living voice or divine spoken word from the Holy Spirit.
A rhema a word is a clearly spoken word and undeniable, unshakable, and unquestionable language that we hear and understand. Throughout Biblical history, both men and women who have made critical decisions or life-changing moves, simply because they heard a word from the Lord. God speaks undeniable, unmistakable, and questionable word to them, and they obey it. As a result God’s people who are obedient to the spoken Word of God, extraordinary accomplishment have occurred.
One thing I found over the years is that the sort of the spirit helps me stand firm against the enemy by cutting down the work of darkness.
The apostle Paul advanced the kingdom of God. He heard the rhema Word of God and obeyed it, the Gospel of Jesus was advanced against the wiles of Satan.
The Holy Spirit desired to speak a rhema word to us too. He wants to speak to us in undeniable, unmistakable, and unquestionable language that we hear and understand. The challenge becomes in the way we live in such a way that we are able to hear the subtle voice of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:7 says, “Today if you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts.” I believe the issue is not if God is speaking, but if we’re listening.
We must arrange our lives in a position of intimacy to hear what Jesus is saying to us. Intimacy with Jesus is fundamental to hearing, and it’s how we’re equipped to use the sword of the Spirit against the schemes of the enemy.
From Pity to Praise 