February 16 2026

Monday February 16

Take The Sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Today we're continuing in one of the most important passages in the New Testament for victorious daily Christian living. That's Ephesians chapter 6:10-17. The passage that's on the whole armor of God. Today we come to a piece of the equipment that is absolutely essential if we're going to stand in victory against the devil.

Ephesians 6:17 says, "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God." Now, up to this point, my friend, Paul has been describing the armor that's mainly defensive, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. All of those protect us. But now in verse 17, Paul gives us one piece of the equipment that's not just defensive. This one is offensive. It is the sword of the spirit. Paul tells us plainly what it is. It is the Word of God.

I want you to notice something. Paul does not say that the sword is your emotions. He does not say the sword is your personality. He does not say that the sword is your experiences from the past. He does not say that the sword is your opinion. He says the sword is the Word of God. If you and I are going to stand up against Satan and all his strategies, then we must learn to take up the sword and know how to use it.

I've got to remind you that the Christian life is a real battle. In Ephesians 6:10, remember Paul had said, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Then in verse 11, he says, "Put on the whole armor of God that you might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." The Christian life is not a playground. It is a battlefield. We're not fighting people. Remember in verse 12, Paul said, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness in this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We're dealing with a real enemy, a spiritual enemy, an intelligent enemy, a deceptive enemy. Then again in verse 13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you might be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand. Paul says the goal is not merely to survive, but the goal is to stand.

Then when we come to verse 17 where we're looking at today, Paul says, "And take the sword of the spirit." Now the sword was a very powerful wonderful piece of equipment for the Roman soldier's close combat weapon. Several commentators, with an understanding the original Greek language, point out that the sword that Paul is describing is the Roman “machaira”. It's a short sword, sometimes about six to eighteen inches long. It wasn't one of those long swords, that most of us have imagined as we have read this passage of scripture, for swinging wildly. No, it was a sword used in hand-to-hand combat, up close, personal, precise.

This is very important to know and understand because Satan does not usually attack us from afar. He attacks us up close in your thoughts, in your fears, in your temptations, in your doubts, in your discouragements, in your private moments. That's why we don't need a vague knowledge of the scripture and the Bible. We need specific scriptures ready, sharp, and available. And we also need to notice that it is “the sword of the Spirit”.

If are going to us this weapon effectively and efficiently, we must understand the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit that has given us this piece of equipment. We will be looking at that tomorrow.

Today, make sure you are putting on the “whole armor of God” and be ready to face all the challenges of life that come at you!

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.