I am studying the full armor of God in great depth. The reason why I am studying this part of scripture is because my fist novel is about spiritual warfare. As I have studied this I have noted that most of the armor of God is defensive in nature. Ephesians 6:14-17: “14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled 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.” (NIV)

I don’t see any offensive weapons in this passage so what are we to do? Just cower and let the devil attack us? In the last part of verse 17 there is a slight mention of an offensive weapon. “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

RealLy? Are we really supposed to fight the devil with words? Come on now. How can words defeat the devil?

Words were what caused the initial fall from grace for Adam and Eve. Satan tempted Eve with words. She at first resisted the temptation but eventually succumbed. The Word of God also was the way that Jesus resisted temptation when out in the wilderness. If it is good enough for the Son of God then I think it may do alright for me. Just saying…

I think it is more than this though. If you read through the story of creation God spoke all of creation into existence with the exception of man, whom He formed from dust. God created through words. The devil seeks to destroy through words. Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

When you speak the Word of God into situations which are evil you speak life into death. So to memorize scripture and write it on the tablet of your heart is wisdom. It is the only way to protect your heart from the devil and the death which he hopes to sow in your soul.