We are in the middle of spiritual combat. "Dressed For Battle" is our series at Fusion Christian Church about winning that combat by wearing the Armor of God. In week six, Pastor Zac preaches about the importance of the Sword of the Spirit.

If you leave your sword at home, don't be surprised when you lose the battle.

Amidst the Armor of God there is only one weapon. If we go to battle without it we will never gain any ground and will inevitably lose. That is why it is so important for the Christian to arm himself with the sword of the spirit. Not only that, but we must train with it so we know how to handle it rightly.

Picking up the sword protects us from believing the lies.

Similar to the Helmet of Salvation, the sword serves as protection against deception. The helmet protects the mind, while the sword goes on the offense and cuts through the lies. Since the sword of the spirit is the scriptures and the scriptures are true, they provide a powerful antidote to the poison of deception.

It prepares you to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

Knowing the word of God helps us to understand who God is and his plan for both creation and our salvation. If we become confused about our purpose, studying the bible helps us gain clarity about how we fit into God's designs. The bible doesn't give you specific advice about every decision you make, but it does set you up on the path of wisdom. The bible teaches us how to think and act with discernment, setting us up to make wise choices. God's will is for us to grow in wisdom so that we can make good choices that honor him.

When you take up the sword of the Spirit, God's word becomes your delight and your life.

Many people find reading the bible to be a drudgery, but this will not remain the case if we commit ourselves to it. The more the Christian commits to reading and studying God's word, the more he will understand it. The more understanding we have of scripture the more enjoyment we gain when reading it. It soon becomes a joyful act to read through the scriptures.