THE SWORD AND THE SHIELD

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE SWORD AND THE SHIELD

Thursday, March 24th, 2022

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:16-17).

The Word of God is a sword; it’s an offensive weapon for spiritual warfare. Notice that Paul didn’t ask that you thrust or strike the enemy with a physical copy of the Bible as you would a physical sword, no! The Greek rendering for “word” in this verse is “Rhema,” and it means the spoken Word.

“Rhema” is a specific Word at a specific time for a specific purpose. Thus, the ‘Rhema’ of God is the Word of God from your heart to your mouth—the inspired Word that comes out of your mouth. In the Master’s encounter with the devil, the Bible tells us, “Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD of God” (Luke 4:4 NKJV). Again, the underlined word is translated “Rhema” (Greek). The Lord Jesus, in speaking “Rhema,” wielded the sword of the Spirit (the weapon of the spoken word) and discomfited the devil.

God’s “Rhema” word isn’t just a word that’s kept in your heart; rather, it’s inspired by God and comes out of your mouth. It’s always a word said, or a word in saying. Hallelujah! Always put the Word on your lips; if it’s not coming out of your mouth, it’s not a sword; it’s not a weapon.

Just as the “Rhema” word is a weapon with which you get on the offensive against the adversary, your faith is a weapon, a shield against the adversary and his onslaught: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” You don’t have to look around for a shield called faith; faith is in your spirit. You were born again with the measure of faith you require (Romans 12:3) to live victoriously and reign gloriously in life. All you need do is grow it by more of God’s Word and strengthen it by using it.

That faith neutralizes, quenches, defuses and puts out all the fiery darts the enemy throws at you. Your faith is the victory over all circumstances and adversities of life: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Hallelujah!

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PRAYER

Dear Father, your Word is in my heart and in my mouth, prevailing as I speak it forth! I speak forth righteousness, wisdom, prosperity, victory and abundance. And with the shield of faith, I extinguish and render ineffective the fiery darts, lies, tricks and stratagems of the adversary, walking on in the victory of the Lord. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: || Ephesians 6:13-16 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ||

|| Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ||

|| Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. ||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Luke 5:17-39 & Deuteronomy 28

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Romans 2:21-29 & Psalm 92-93