Sunday, February 2, 2024
“The Shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit”
Rev. Mike Coppersmith
A True Story…
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with great fury, because He knows that his time is short.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
SHOW UP AND ARMOR UP!
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth bucked around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
DECEIVE— Belt of His Truth
DISCOURAGE—Breastplate of His Righteousness
DISTRESS—Shoes of His Peace
DISTRACT—Helmet of His Salvation
DOUBT—Shield of His Faith
DIVERT—Sword of His Spirit
Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
1 John 5:4 This is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith.
What is Faith?
A SPIRIT-GIVEN TRUST IN, AND DEPENDENCE UPON—NOT ONE’S SELF—BUT JESUS CHRIST AND HIS PARDON, PROMISES, PRESENCE AND POWER.
Matthew 9:29 It will be done for you according to your faith.
Three Things to Take Care of Your Shield:
STAY CLOSE
ANOINT
SOAK
Romans 10:17 Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 6:17 Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
James 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
“rhema”
A Particular, Specific Portion of God’s Written Word that is Spoken Out
Matthew 4:4,7,10 It is written…
Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword…
When it comes to the Word of God:
SOAK IT IN
STORE IT UP
SPEAK IT FORTH
PRAY IT OVER
SING IT OUT
Ephesians 6:16-17 (TPT) In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one! And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken word of God.
Lord Jesus, By the power of the Holy Spirit, I now align myself with You, answering Your battle call to put on the whole armor of God. Cover and clothe me with Your very Presence. Thank You that You make it possible for me to be strong in You and Your mighty power and to stand against all the evil one would throw at me this day.
You say in Your Word, “Do not be afraid…I am your Shield and your very great Reward.” In Jesus’ Name, I take up the Shield of Faith. My faith is in You and You alone— I trust in Your pardon. I trust in Your promises. I trust in Your Power. I trust in Your Presence!
Help me to stay close to fellow soldiers in Your family of faith.
Anoint me with Your Holy Spirit. Soak my heart, my mind and my life in the living water of Your faith-building Word. I turn from every fear, anxiety and doubt as I lift up the Shield of Faith against every flaming arrow directed at me, my family, my church, my labors, and my possessions. I bind every fearful thought in the name of Jesus, and choose to “walk by faith and not by sight.”
To that end, I take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Jesus, You have said to me “the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” Holy Spirit, bring to my memory and to my mouth specific Scriptures, and help me to wield Your powerful Word skillfully against every scheme and attack of the enemy. When it comes to Your Word, I will soak it in, store it up, speak it forth, pray it over, and sing it out— trusting in Your promise that “the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.”
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for equipping me with everything I need to win my battles this day! I praise You that I am protected by You—the Armor of God.
I now claim Your promise to me that “no weapon formed against you shall prosper.”
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray,
Amen!