Eph. 6: 10-18 (Amplified)
Be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him): draw your strength from Him (that strength which His boundless might provides).
Put on God's whole armor (the armor of heavy-armed soldier which God supplies), that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents), but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedeness in the heavely (supernatural) sphere.
Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day (of danger), and, having done all (the crisis demands), to stand (firmly in your place).
Stand therefore (hold your ground), having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God.
And having shod your feet in preparation (to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace. [Isa. 52:7]
Lift up over all the (covering) shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked (one).
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints. (God's consecrated people).
Word definitions:
Righteousness - what is right; doing what is in agreement with God's standards.
Preparation - readiness
Gospel - good news
Peace - harmony, safety, with an emphasis on lack of strife
Faith - belief, trust with an implicaiton that actions based on that trust will follow.
(The following is an excerpt from Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner (c)2003)
Focus: Eph. 6:17
The word sword is translated from the Greek word machaira. This wasn't just any sword, but a weapon of murder used by the Roman army. It is an exceptionally brutal weapon. It was about 19" in length and shaped like a dagger. It was a razor sharp weapon and the tip was often turned upward or twisted like a cork screw. This sword was only used in close combat, usually thrust into the abdomen of it's adversary.
These characteristics made this a very deadly and frightful weapon. By using the word machaira in Eph. 6, the apostle Paul was saying that God has given the body of Christ a weapon that is frightful to the devil and his forces. Why? Because it has razor-sharp power to slash our demonic foes to shreds! Because of the use of this word, it tells us that the "sword of the Spirit" is a weapon that is normally employed in close combat.
The verse says "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The term "word" was taken from the Greek word rhema, which describes something that is spoken clearly and vividly, in unmistakable terms and in undeniable language. In the NT, the word rhema carries the idea of a "quickened word."
Luke 4 gives us an example of a rhema word. Over and over again satan tempts and tries Jesus. However, with each temptation, a scripture was "quickened" inside of Jesus, and He would speak forth that scripture to the devil, brandishing it like a sword against His enemy.
Each time Jesus used a verse that the Spirit had "quickened" to him, the sword of the word dealth a serious blow to satan, eventually causing him to flee in defeat.
Eph. 6:17 should be translated: "The Spirit will place a razor-sharp sword at your disposal anytime the enemy gets too close. This sword's power will be available the very moment the Spirit quickens a specific word for the specific situation you are facing."
The next time you find yourself in close combat with the enemy, take the time to get quiet in your heart and listen. The Holy Spirit will reach up from within your spirit and quicken to you a scripture that has the exact power you need for the situation you find yourself in at that moment. When this happens, you have just received real "sword power" in the realm of the Spirit. It's time for you to insert, twist, and do damage to the devil. Then you can watch in jubilation as he hits the road and flees from you!
Prayer:
Heb.7:25 says that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for the saints. Now seated at the right hand of God the Father, He intercedes for us.
Seven times in his farewell to the diciples, before his ascension, he told them that what they asked he would do. The power of Heaven is at our disposal. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit we know what God's will is and we pray by faith in His name.
Intercession - comes from the Greek word hyperentynchano. This word means to make prayer on behalf of, for the sake of, or in place of someone.
Acts 1:14 tells us that praying with "one accord" or like-mindedness, full of the Holy Spirit and in unity; walking in love with one another; is how we have the power to overcome.
Quote from Andrew Murray: "When will Christians learn the great truth, that what God in Heaven desires to do needs prayer on the earth as it's indispensable condition."
