3 Ways to Win Spiritual Battles with the Sword of the Spirit

 

By Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

In ancient Rome, the army of Caesar was an institution to be feared. Everywhere they marched, these soldiers conquered. To resist them meant certain death.

They were heavily armed, trained, and disciplined. They had at their disposal an arsenal of weapons. Among these were various types of swords.

A heavy double-edged sword, too large and heavy to use in battle, was a training tool. This strengthened the soldier’s muscles so that when they wielded their fighting swords in battle they did not grow fatigued and weak.

The spatha was a long sword used in the Roman cavalry and gladiator games. A soldier could swing this instrument of death with a long reach while still on horseback. 

But the gladius was the weapon of the foot soldiers. With a double edge and triangular tip, its reputation was the sword that conquered the world. Just the sight of this sword and the decimation left behind would strike fear in the hearts of an enemy. It was used in close contact because it could penetrate the body between chinks in armor, remove limbs, and slice throats. 

Gladius is the Latin term for this type of sword which in Greek is machaira. And this Greek word is the term Paul used in Ephesians 6:17 when he refers to the sword of the Spirit. The deadly sword Paul tells us to use against our enemy. The machaira of the Spirit.

The devil cannot stand against the Word of God. This weapon strikes fear in this fallen angel because he knows he has no power against those razor-sharp edges. The sword that conquered the spirit world is the sword of redemption. 

Our use of machaira against the enemy of mankind reminds the devil of this. That’s why he fights so hard against our knowledge of the Word of God. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). 

When we receive the revelation of what Christ did for us, we hold the power against our spiritual enemy. It is God’s power in our hands, His sword, and we can eliminate any threat because this weapon strikes behind the devil’s armor—his lies. 

Here are 3 ways to win spiritual battles with the Sword of the Spirit:

1. Strengthen our soul by training (constant immersion in the Word). Then we can stand against our enemy without fatigue or weakness. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

2. Stand in our rightful place of redemption. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). Three times in Ephesians 6:10-18, we are told to stand or withstand. The devil is under our feet. We are not under his. 

3. Stay in a sound mind and do not let fear rule. We have been given the spirit of power. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Roman soldiers won battles because they were heavily armed, trained, and disciplined. When we arm ourselves with the Sword of God, train ourselves in His Word, and discipline our souls to only listen to the truth, we are a force that strikes fear in the spiritual wickedness in high places.

We are victorious because our Leader has already won the war for redemption. Our fighting takes place in the battlefield of the mind. Truth conquers lies and the Sword of the Spirit cuts away the false images the defeated enemy shows us. 

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31b-32).

The truth makes us free. 

What are other ways you can think of that help us win spiritual battles with the Sword of the Spirit? Share your thoughts.

When we know what Christ did for us, we have His power to use against our spiritual enemy. (click to tweet)