Part 3
James 3:2-5 NIV We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. (3) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (4) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. (5) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
- If you want to change the direction of your life, start changing your words.
- Anytime God wants to change something, He speaks to it.
- It is not enough to just believe what the Word says, you must speak it if you want the results of it.
- We need to understand that there is speaking God’s Word unto faith and then there is speaking God’s Word by faith.
When you are speaking God’s Word, you are building your capacity to believe God’s Word.
- We are not called to be reporters, we are called to be forecasters.
Romans 4:17 AMP As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed. [Gen. 17:5.]
- Don’t just pray about those dead situations and circumstances, speak to them and prophesy what God says about them.
Pick Up Your Sword
Ephesians 6:10-17 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
In Paul’s day there were a few different swords that a soldier might carry.
- Double-handed sword: heavy, required two hands, mostly used in training because it was so heavy and could build muscle for battle.
- Long sword – soldier would be able to swing this sword and seriously wound his opponent, gashing a limb or their side so they would bleed out.
- Smaller, dagger type sword called a “machaira”. This weapon would strike fear in all those that heard it mentioned. It was meant for close combat and caused great pain and damage to its victim. It was long and narrow and often had a twisted end like a corkscrew or the blade would be bent up on the tip. When thrust in the abdomen, it would cause great damage and severe pain. It was always used in close-in combat.
In Ephesians 6:17, Paul used the word “machaira” when referring to the sword of the Spirit. The reason is that this weapon causes great fear in the heart of our adversary and his kingdom because it has the ability to slash our demonic foes to shreds!
In Ephesians 6:17, the Greek word for “word” is the word “rhema” and it means an inspired word that is spoken clearly and distinctly.
Here is how this works: You are praying about a situation when the Holy Spirit brings a verse of scripture that pertains to that situation up from your spirit that you can stand on and claim for your situation. When this happens, the Holy Spirit has placed in your hands a “machaira” that you can insert into the enemy and bring his defeat.
Greatest example of this can be found in the life of Jesus Himself:
Luke 2:52 NKJV And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 4:1-13 NKJV Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (2) being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. (3) And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” (4) But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD.’ ” (5) Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (6) And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (7) Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” (8) And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.’ ” (9) Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. (10) For it is written: ‘HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU,’ (11) and, ‘IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’ ” (12) And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.’ ” (13) Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
The Holy Spirit quickened the Word to Jesus in that moment and placed that dagger in His hand to defeat the enemy. Jesus spoke the Word and won that battle causing the enemy to flee from Him.
The next time you are in close combat with the devil, take the time to get quiet and allow the Holy Spirit to reach within your spirit to bring up that inspired Word and quicken it to you so you will have that rhema to put in your mouth.
- Understand that the enemy is smart and will attack in areas that you are weak or vulnerable.
- Be honest with yourself and God and recognize the area(s) of your life you might not be quite as strong yet as you should be.
- Be proactive and not always reactive.
- Begin to build in your heart the arsenal of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit can draw upon in those times of battle.
John 14:26 NLT But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative–that is, the Holy Spirit–He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John Osteen: “Put the Word in your heart when you don’t need it and it will be there when you do need it.”
- Put that Word in your mouth and use that sword to cause the enemy to flee.
James 4:7 NKJV Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (like a criminal that has been caught)