HAVE YOU CHECKED INTO BOOT CAMP YET (5)
We now come to the fourth and fifth pieces of armour found in Ephesians 6: 16-17 NKJV Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. There were 2 types of Shields used by Roman soldiers, a small one that was used for close up combat, and a larger one that virtually covered the whole height of the soldier, most commentators believe Paul was referring to the larger type. Please note it is called the SHIELD OF FAITH. How do we get faith?
Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I have to use hearing aids as my hearing is very poor, I also get a lot of wax in my ears that limits my hearing even more. In relation to eyesight the best is 20/20 vision, I don’t know what the term is relating to hearing, but if we are to use to Shield of Faith we need 20/20 hearing. Biblical Discipleship can teach you how to hear the voice of God CLEARLY, plus, sin is like spiritual wax, so we need to again maintain that spirit of repentance, to make sure that there is no unconfessed sin in our life. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:10 KJV There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. When thoughts (voices) come into our mind, we need to know what the Word of God says, and it is so good to seek Godly counsel (your Mentor), so you know that the thought (voice) is truly of God and lines up with the Word of God. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 11:14 NKJV But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Don’t be embarrassed to ask more than one Godly mature person about that thought.
I have written many times about the 2 words used in the Greek language for the word translated word.. Logos & Rhema. Logos being the written word , and Rhema that personal living Word to us (which MUST always line up and agree with the written word). When the enemy aims his fiery darts at us we must confess the Rhema Word that the Holy Spirit has quickened to us. for example:
1 John 4:4 NKJV because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Reminding yourself and the enemy that he is defeated and powerless.
Romans 8:37 NKJV Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We are not just conquerors but MORE than conquerors,
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Not just some things but ALL things when it comes to the attack of the enemy, it is all written in the Will, and was procured for us through the seath and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
BUT IT MUST BE A RHEMA WORD, so it can become the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT , which Paul refers to in the next verse (17) NKJV and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The SHIELD AND SWORD WORK TOGETHER TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY.
If it is not a Rhema word you will have the same experience as the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:14 NKJV And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? The devil knows the Word of God better than us, and he will simply laugh at us unless we take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word (Rhema) of God. He hates the Word of God and when it becomes a SWORD (Rhema) in a Believer’s hand he is defeated.
I love James 4:7 NKJV Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. When we SUBMIT (seek to live the surrendered life daily), and take the Sword of the Spirit (The Rhema Word) against the enemy HE WILL FLEE (run away) Hallelujah. The MESSAGE BIBLE Says Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Amen.
So in Boot Camp, (Biblical Discipleship) you learn how to use the Shield of Faith & the Sword of the Spirit to defeat our enemy. Let’s do it.
