WHAT DID YOU GET OUT OF THIS LESSON?

I have learned we must use the Weapon of Prayer the most important weapon - Whatever you do, don't stop praying. There is so much power in prayer. It's another great weapon. So use it! Ephesians 6:18 says, "Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit." (NLT)

Well, there it is! I hope this helps you understand what putting on the full armor of God is all about. But before I close this post, here's one more practical suggestion for you about this principle. Speak the Word. Declare it and speak it out loud. And make it personal by saying something like this…

"I'm putting on the belt of truth. I am a Christian of truth. I speak the truth and not lie. I'm putting on the breastplate of righteousness. My righteousness is because of what Christ has done in and through me. I choose to live right according to God's word today. I know the Lord is preparing me for battle. So make the choice to get dressed today and win! Don't forget, you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ! Believe it! Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let's be ready from the Inside Out! I am an overcomer because I put on the whole armor of God daily! I learn to use this armor daily. We must suit up daily too, not just say it but use it. Pray that God will help us to stand strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, amen.  The next time the enemy comes up against me I must remind him that I do have on the armor of God, and remind him of God's Word. Very good study!!!

Question/Answers

1).     What is prayer?

The most basic definition of prayer is "talking to God." Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.
2).    What position should we pray?

It's not the position that's important, but the heart of the person praying. That is why Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, but so much as what position to pray in; God is concern with our hearts! If you are sick and can't get out of bed to get on your knees, than what? It's the heart He want to communicate with, amen.

3).    Describe the Greek word translated "pray in."

The Greek word translated "pray in" can have several different meanings. It can mean "by means of," "with the help of," "in the sphere of," and "in connection to." Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying.

4).    What is praying in the Spirit?

Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit's leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for. 

5).    What is the difference in praying in the Spirit and praying in tongues?

First Corinthians 14:14 states that when a person prays in tongues, he does not know what he is saying since it is spoken in a language he does not know. Further, no one else can understand what is being said, unless there is an interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). As said earlier, praying in the Spirit is praying according to what the Spirit wants to pray, or as lead by the Holy Spirit. I know when the Spirit starts to pray, because it's all new and fresh to me too. I benefit from it too! It's awesome!

6).    Explain perpetual prayer.

I believe it is praying without ceasing.  We must always in prayer to God in our hearts.

7).    Explain petitionary prayer

It is a petition to God to affect the outcome of a situation, it is also intercessory prayer.

8).    Explain powerful prayer

A powerful prayer is one like Moses or Elijah when he prayed and God responded to him in a gentle still voice (I Kings 19:11-12).

9).    Explain perseverant prayer

Perseverant prayer is when a person is steadfast in prayer to God; Luke says Jesus said that a man ought always prayer, amen.

10). Explain purposeful prayer

This is when we add purpose to our prayer to God

11).   What do praise has to do with prayer?

Praise is a very important way of praying to God; we should always praise God for what He has done and always will do for us. We must be graceful to God. In our prayers lets show that we appreciate our God and His Son Jesus.

12). Is repentance a prayer? Explain.

Yes it is! When we pray the sinner's prayer we are praying a repentance prayer.

13). Making your request known is what?

This prayer is asking God, we make our request known to God when we ask Him for anything that lines up with His Word.

14). Whose name should we mention in our prayers, and why?

 Jesus is the name above all other names that we use to pray to God, because God has ordain it to be, and Jesus is the one who died for us.

15).   Prayer overcomes all foes.

16). This armor of location is what? Explain.

It's all-encompassing, I truly believe it's in our hearts too.

17).   What do this lesson call busyness, stress, discouragement, and quilt?

This is our enemies! It keeps us from praying to God

18). Prayer is the channel God uses so His strength can flow into our lives.

19). Read Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

20). Read Jude 20 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"

21).  Read 1 Corinthians 14:15, 27-28. "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

ENDING PRAYER

Father God, help me to guard my prayer time, be honest when I pray, and help me to pray for all saints. Bless me Lord with the time to set aside for prayer, and to pray wherever I am in my heart. Bless my knowledge of prayer this day in Jesus' name. AMEN.

Bible Study: The Spiritual Warfare Weapons: Week 8

 "Prayer Strategy"

Our Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!  I put on the girdle of truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies. I put on the breastplate of righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ. I put on the shoes of peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter. I take the shield of faith! May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat. I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan. By faith we warriors have put on the whole armor of God! We are prepared to live this day, this week in spiritual victory! In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Our Scripture:                   Let's Read:       Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in  the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Praying in the Spirit is mentioned three times in Scripture. First Corinthians 14:15 says, "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." Ephesians 6:18 says, "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." Jude 20 says, "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." So, what exactly does it mean to pray in the Spirit?

The Greek word translated "pray in" can have several different meanings. It can mean "by means of," "with the help of," "in the sphere of," and "in connection to." Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit's leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for. Romans 8:26 tells us, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

Some, based on 1 Corinthians 14:15, equate praying in the Spirit with praying in tongues. Discussing the gift of tongues, Paul mentions "pray with my spirit." First Corinthians 14:14 states that when a person prays in tongues, he does not know what he is saying, since it is spoken in a language he does not know. Further, no one else can understand what is being said, unless there is an interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). In Ephesians 6:18, Paul instructs us to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." How are we to pray with all kinds of prayers and requests and pray for the saints, if no one, including the person praying, understands what is being said? Therefore, praying in the Spirit should be understood as praying in the power of the Spirit, by the leading of the Spirit, and according to His will, not as praying in tongues.

Let's look at some old material from our other prayer studies now: Here we have five prayers.

1).  Perpetual Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

Never ceasing; continuing forever in future time; destined to be eternal; as a perpetual covenant; a perpetual statute. It's literally true with respect to the decrees of the Supreme Being.

 

2). Petitionary Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

Petitionary Prayer as the name suggests, is a petition to God to affect the outcome of a situation. Intercessory prayer could fall under petitionary prayer but intercessory prayer, in particular, are the prayers of support and God's presence for a person or situation. Whereas petitionary prayer has a specific end in view, a changed outcome.
3). Powerful Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

Remember Elijah whose powerful prayer resulted in a phenomenal change in the course of nature also had this experience: "Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:11-12); a powerful prayer comes from the heart, and having faith in God.

4). Perseverant Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

Continue steadfastly in prayer. Please don't give up the diligence that you showed during prayer week.  There is so much power to be had in persevering prayer. Don't forget the "impudent friend" of (Luke 11:8) and don't forget the parable Jesus told to the effect that we "ought always to pray and not lose heart"  (Luke 18:1-8).  Perseverance is the great test of genuineness in the Christian life. I praise God that some of you have persevered in prayer 60, 70, or 80 years! O, let us be a praying church, and let's be saturated with prayers to the Lord of the harvest. Won't it be great to say in the end, "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

5). Purposeful Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

The word literally means straight. God sees us as straight, or righteous, when we are covered in Christ's blood. We can read that verse another way. "The purposeful prayer of a righteous man has power." When we add purpose and intent to our prayer life, we infuse those prayers with God-given power.

PRAY:

P-Praise:

Gratitude to God for who He is and what He's already done should thread throughout every prayer, because ultimately His name and His fame are the only reasons any of this matters.

R-Repentance:

Expect prayer to expose where you're still resisting Him-not only resisting His commands, but resisting the manifold blessings and benefits He gives to those who follow. Line your strategies with repentance; the courage to trust, and turn, and walk His way.

A-Asking:

Make your requests known. Be personal and specific. Write down details of your own issues and difficulties as they relate to the broader issue we discussed in that week of study, as well as how you perhaps see the enemy's hand at work in them or where you suspect he might be aiming next.

Y-Yes:

"All of God's promises," the Bible says, "have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" (2 Corinthians 1:20, NLT). You may not understand everything that is happening in your life right now, but any possible explanation pales in comparison to what you do know because of your faith in God's goodness and assurance. So allow your prayer to be accentuated with His own words from Scripture, His promises to you that correspond to your need. There is nothing more powerful than praying God's own Word. Because even at the mention of His name, the enemy buckles in certain defeat!

PRAYING ALWAYS!

 Prayer is the energy that we take into battle. We cannot fight against the devil in our own strength. "Praying always" doesn't mean "always saying prayers" – it means "always stay in communion with God!" (keep the receiver off the hook!) That way you'll be ready for any surprise attack from the devil.

Don't just focus on yourself and your needs. Prayer for others can bring victory into your life! Job 42:10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Each Week Study "Overcomers" by Dr. David Jeremiah

Week # 8           "Prayer Overcomes All Foes"

Week #         Nuggets:      Suit up Cards

Scripture:                          1 Thessalonians 5:17

AKA:                                     The Power source

Characteristic:                Perseverance

Usage:                                  Praying on the Armor of God

Armor of Location:        All-encompassing

Arch Enemy:                     All foes

Enemies:                             Busyness, Stress, Discouragement, Guilt.

Charge:                               Prayer is the channel God uses so that His strength can flow into our lives.

Questions:

1).     What is prayer?

2).    What position should we pray?

3).    Describe the Greek word translated "pray in."

4).    What is praying in the Spirit?

5).    What is the difference in praying in the Spirit and praying in tonques?

6).    Explain perpetual prayer.

7).    Explain petitionary prayer

8).    Explain powerful prayer

9).    Explain perseverant prayer

10). Explain purposeful prayer

11).   What do praise has to do with prayer?

12). Is repentance a prayer? Explain.

13). Making your request known is what?

14). Whose name should we mention in our prayers, and why?

15).   Prayer overcomes all______.

16). This armor of location is what? Explain.

17).   What do this lesson call busyness, stress, discouragement, and quilt?

18). Prayer is the _____ God uses so His _____  can  _____ into our _____.

19). Read Ephesians 6:18

20). Read Jude 20

21).  Read 1 Corinthians 14:15, 27-28.

Remember This. . . .(Isaiah 54:17)

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."

What did you get out of this lesson?

The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It is so powerful! You can trust it because it is God speaking. The Word of God is the will of God, and the will of God is the Word of God!

The first thing each and every Christian must fully realize is that the Holy Bible is truly the inspired and infallible Word of God. All of Scripture is given to us by inspiration from God the Father.  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16). We must speak the Word of God just as He did in the beginning, amen.  This is not the last study, but it is one of the most valuable ones. The Word of God! The Sword of the Spirit is unique because it is the only piece of armor that Paul actually describes in Ephesians 6. It is the only Offensive weapon! I listen to Priscilla Shirer's study of this one closely, and got so much out of it: I will go back and do all the Actionable Intel as soon as I can; my time didn't allow me to do that each week, but I will. Listen to her tape will help. Paul is telling us that to withstand the attacks from the enemy, we shouldn't always take a defensive posture. Because the Sword Paul describes was so small, it was perfect for hand-to-hand combat.  Sometimes it feels like the enemy is right in our face. Amen to that! This was so important to me, so I must share it. There are three different words in the original Scripture that translate Word of God; (1) GRAPHE, meaning the words on the page, the ink, the paper literally is the book itself. (2) LOGOS, the message of the graphe. (3) RHEMA, the Word of God is the utterance of God, the spoken Word of God to you in your life (Hebrews 4:12). This is a weapon for the evil day that comes upon us daily. We must push the enemy back with God's Word.  We must be active and proactive, amen. Use your dagger every day to defeat the enemy, to come against him. Each week's strategy session is to be used. These strategies will help us stand firm and victorious in the fight against our enemy daily. We must pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  That is our next and last lesson in this study. Glory to God!!!

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1).              Lets' read our study scripture (Ephesians 6:10-18).

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armor 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. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

2).              Where do you keep your sword?

I sleep with my bible every night for over twenty years now, and I try to read it every day to keep it in my heart and mind.

3).              Pray this week's prayer again.

Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!  I put on the girdle of truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies. I put on the breastplate of righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ. I put on the shoes of peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter. I take the shield of faith! May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat. I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan. By faith we warriors have put on the whole armor of God! We are prepared to live this day, this week in spiritual victory! In Jesus' name, AMEN.

4).              Who tell the Ephesian Christians to put on this armor?  Apostle Paul wrote to them to encourage them to stand strong in the Lord by put on this armor that comes from God.

5).              How many times does the phrase "sword of the spirit found in the Scripture?

This phrase is found only once in Scripture!

6).              The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon used by soldiers or warriors.

7).              Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17, explain.

"¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The Word of God is for us to live by, we are to learn from it, obey it, and trust it. It will help us to become what God intended for us to be, a people of God.

8).              Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, explain.

"⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" I love the wording of the Scripture! God's Word is powerful because of Him, and only Him through His Holy Spirit. We can use it to fight against strong holds that comes from the enemy. This is why Paul tells us to use our armor that God has given us daily. We have to exercise what is written from God through men by the Holy Spirit.

9).              Read Hebrews 4:12, explain.

"¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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." Another powerful scripture to use when attack by the enemy. It is written for our use! Jesus used the Word against Satan's attack when He was living on this earth, so we must do so too. The Word of God reaches the heart, the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of those it touches. AMEN.

10).            What is the purpose of this weapon?

The purpose of the sword of the Spirit, the Bible, is to make us strong and able to withstand the evil onslaughts of Satan, our enemy (Psalm 119:11, 33-40, 99-105).

11).             The Holy Spirit uses the power of the Word to save souls and then to give them spiritual strength to be mature soldiers for the Lord in fighting this corrupt and evil world we live in.

12).            According to day 1 scripture, what is divinely inspired to you? God's Word is divinely inspired

Day 1 "Divinely Inspired"

According to Jeremiah 36:2 day 1 God is the giver of the Word

According to Ezekiel 1:3 men of God spoke what God put in their hearts

According to Acts 1:16 God's Word is sure and fulfilled

According to 2 Timothy 3:16 God's Word is divinely inspired by Him

According to 2 Peter 1:21 God moved upon men in the Bible days so they

According to Revelations 14:13 Apostle John was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the book of Revelations.

13).            Read the Scriptures for "Precepts written in the heart, explain.

According to Deuteronomy 6:6 God's Word is in our hearts

According to Deuteronomy 11:18 it is God's instruction for hearts

According to Psalm 119:11 the Word inspires us not to sin

According to Luke 2:51 we must keep God's Word in our hearts

According to Romans 10:8 God puts His Word in our hearts so we can preach it with our mouth

According to Colossians 3:16 God's Word in our hearts to teach us to worship Him

14).            What is precepts written in the heart according to scripture? God's Laws, instructions, God's testimonies, God's Word.

15).            What furnishes a light in darkness? God's Word

According to Psalm 19:8 the Word of God is enlightenment to our soul

According to Psalm 119:105 God's Word is a light and guide for every day

According to Psalm 119:130 God's Word gives understanding

According to Proverbs 6:23 God's Word is instruction for us to live by

According to 2 Peter 1:19 God's Word is a sure foundation to living in the light.

16).           Read day 3 scriptures and explain as you can.

We live in a dark world, an evil world that need God's help to see the light. God's Word furnishes that light so we can see Jesus His Son, and live a righteous life before Him.

17).            Is love in the Bible a command? Explain.

Yes, Jesus commands us to love one another, but most of all, love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

18).            Read day 4 scriptures, and share what you get out of them.

According to Psalm 119:47 God's Word is loved by His people

According to Psalm 119:72 God's Word is precious

According to Psalm 119:82 God's Word brings comfort to us

According to Psalm 119:97 God's Word is to be meditated upon daily

According to Psalm 119:140 God's Word is pure

According to Jeremiah 15:16 God's Word is our food

19).            Explain day 5 strategy session.

My strategy is to read and study God's Word every chance I get. I have found a way to get into God's Word daily; I call it "my devotional quiet time with God." A quiet time with God is so much needed now days. My devotional quiet time with God consist of praying God's Word, singing a song to God, reading a worship scripture from book of Psalm, scripture for memorization, a daily reading plan of the Bible, a healing scripture, a scripture of promise from God, I read Ephesians chapter 1 and speak this over my life, reading the Lord's Prayer, reading the Lord's Supper Scripture, reading Psalm 23, and other Scripture. I meditate on Scriptures concerning God's character. This takes me about an hour or more, and help builds up my love for God's Word.

20).           What overcomes temptation?       

According to the Bible and the study of "Overcomer" by Dr. David Jeremiah, scripture overcomes temptation, the Sword, which is God's Word.

21).            Where is the location of this weapon?

This armor is located or should be located in our hand, mind, and ready at our side.

Ending Prayer for this Lesson

Father God, Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which weapon you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today. Your Word I have hid in my heart, so I will not sin against You, Lord. AMEN.

Bible Study: The Spiritual Warfare Weapons Week # 7

"The Sword of the Spirit" (Word of God)  

     

Our Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!  I put on the girdle of truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies. I put on the breastplate of righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ. I put on the shoes of peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter. I take the shield of faith! May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat. I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan. By faith we warriors have put on the whole armor of God! We are prepared to live this day, this week in spiritual victory! In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Our Scripture:                   Let's Read:       Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in  the spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

The phrase "sword of the Spirit" is found only once in Scripture, in Ephesians 6:17. The sword is one of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul tells the Ephesian Christians to put on as part of the "full armor of God" that will enable us to stand our ground against evil (Ephesians 6:13).

The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon used by soldiers or warriors. In this case it is a weapon belonging to the Holy Spirit. Swords were used to protect oneself from harm or to attack the enemy to overcome or kill him. In both cases it was necessary for a soldier to get rigid training on the proper use of the sword to get maximum protection. All Christian soldiers need the same rigid training to know how to properly handle the Sword of the Spirit, "which is the word of God." The sword that Paul refers to here is the Holy Scriptures. We know from 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that the word of God is from the Holy Spirit and written by men. Since every Christian is on the spiritual battle with the satanic and evil forces of this world, we need to know how to handle the Word properly. Only then will it be an effective defense against evil, but it will also be an offensive weapon we use to "demolish strongholds" of error and falsehood (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

God refers to His Word as a sword in Hebrews 4:12. Here the Word is described as living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword. The Roman sword was commonly made in this manner. The fact that it had two edges made it easier to penetrate, as well as to cut in every way. The idea is that of piercing, or penetrating; the Word of God reaches the "heart," the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of those it touches.

The purpose of the sword of the Spirit—the Bible—is to make us strong and able to withstand the evil onslaughts of Satan, our enemy (Psalm 119:11, 33–40, 99–105). The Holy Spirit uses the power of the Word to save souls and then to give them spiritual strength to be mature soldiers for the Lord in fighting this corrupt and evil world we live in. The more we know and understand the Word of God, the more useful we will be in doing the will of God and the more effective we will be in standing against the enemy of our souls.

Day 1                 "Divinely Inspired"

Read: "Jeremiah 36:2, Ezekiel 1:3, Acts 1:16, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, Revelations 14:13."

Day 2                 "Precepts Written in the Heart"

Read: "Deuteronomy 6:6, Deuteronomy 11:18, Psalm 119:11, Luke 2:51, Romans 10:8, Colossians 3:16."

Day 3                 "Furnishes a Light in Darkness"

Read: "Psalm19:8, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Proverbs 6:23, 2 Peter 1:19."

Day 4                "Loved by the Saints

Read: "Psalm 119:47, Psalm 119:72, Psalm 119:82, Psalm 119:97, Psalm 119:140, Jeremiah 15:16."

Day 5                 Strategy Session:

Our strategy here is to know God's Word as a devouring flame, a crushing hammer, a life-giving force, a saving power, a defensive weapon, and a probing instrument.  Read these scriptures (Jeremiah 5:14, Jeremiah23:29, Ezekiel 37:7, Acts 19:20, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12). God's Word is a blessing to those who reverence it.

Each Week Study "Overcomers" by Dr. David Jeremiah

Week # 7           "Scripture Overcomes Temptation"

Week #         Nuggets:      Suit up Cards

Scripture:                          1 Corinthians 10:13

AKA:                                     The Sword

Characteristic:                Scripture, Word of God

Usage:                                  Weapon of Warfare

Armor of Location:        In Hand. At the Ready, At your side

Arch Enemy:                     Temptation

Enemies:                             Lust, Pride

Charge:                               When the enemy comes to you and tries to tempt you, draw your sword, say "It is Written", and watch what God does.

Questions:

1).              Let's read our study scripture (Ephesians 6:10-18).

2).              Where do you keep your sword?

3).              Pray this week's prayer again.

4).              Who tell the Ephesian Christians to put on this armor?

5).              How many times does the phrase "sword of the spirit found in the Scripture?

6).              The sword is both ___ and ___weapon used by __ or ___.

7).              Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17, explain.

8).              Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, explain.

9).              Read Hebrews 4:12, explain.

10).            What is the purpose of this weapon?

11).             The Holy Spirit uses the  __ of the __to save souls and then to give them ___ ___ to be ___ ____ for the Lord.

12).            According to day 1 scripture, what is divinely inspired to you?

13).            Read the Scriptures for "Precepts written in the heart, explain.

14).            What is precepts written in the heart according to scritprue?

15).            What furnishes a light in darkness?

16).            Read day 3 scriptures and explain as you can.

17).            Is love in the Bible a command? Explain.

18).           Read day 4 scriptures, and share what you get out of them.

19).            Explain day 5 strategy session.

20).            What overcomes temptation?       

21).            Where is the location of this weapon?

Remember This. . . .(Isaiah 54:17)

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."