What is "the Sword of the Spirit"?

[eahaddix]

Question: What is "the (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3588) sword (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3162)
(http://www.realarmorofgod.com/roman-short-swords.html) of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:17;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Ephesians+6%3A17&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)
(http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Ephesians&chapter=6&verse=17))?

I cannot accept the popular notion that it is the printed Bible. When a demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142) attacks you or possesses a person, you do not physically attack the said demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142) with the NIV or KJV Bible, like Bob Larson, nor do you preach or read the NIV or KJV Bible to the demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142). To the contrary, even evil spirits can physically throw, verbally quote (i.e. Matthew 4:5-7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204:5-7;&version=31;)), and rhetorically mock the Biblical Scriptures. As a result, I believe that "the (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3588) sword (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3162)
(http://www.realarmorofgod.com/roman-short-swords.html) of the Spirit" must refer to something else.

What say you?

[InTheWind]

One thought that popped into my head is and i don`t know where the verse is off hand but when Jesus was tempted in the desert didn`t He stop Satin by saying, man does not live by bread alone but by every word out of the mouth of God.

[CoreIssue]

Question: What is "the (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3588) sword (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3162)
(http://www.realarmorofgod.com/roman-short-swords.html) of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:17;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Ephesians+6%3A17&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)
(http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Ephesians&chapter=6&verse=17))?

I cannot accept the popular notion that it is the printed Bible. When a demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142) attacks you or possesses a person, you do not physically attack the said demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142) with the NIV or KJV Bible, like Bob Larson, nor do you preach or read the NIV or KJV Bible to the demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142). To the contrary, even evil spirits can physically throw, verbally quote (i.e. Matthew 4:5-7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204:5-7;&version=31;)), and rhetorically mock the Biblical Scriptures. As a result, I believe that "the (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3588) sword (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3162)
(http://www.realarmorofgod.com/roman-short-swords.html) of the Spirit" must refer to something else.

What say you?

One thought that popped into my head is and i don`t know where the verse is off hand but when Jesus was tempted in the desert didn`t He stop Satin by saying, man does not live by bread alone but by every word out of the mouth of God.

I believe the Bible is some of the word of God. There is also the Holy Spirit speaking in and through us, the Holy Spirit confronting the sinner, the words of angels, the way the saint lives and the whole of it all.

To me God speaks in many ways. So, I think ITW has it nailed pretty good here.

[InTheWind]

Faith comes by hearing and hearing come from the Word of God, the Bible seems too teach that by faith all things are possible.
The Bible is the written word of God, no different than spoken words from His mouth. When Christ comes back at the second coming He will destroy the armies at Armageddon with what, His word.
It seems then that the sword is the word of God.

[eahaddix]

I believe the Bible is some of the word of God. There is also the Holy Spirit speaking in and through us, the Holy Spirit confronting the sinner, the words of angels, the way the saint lives and the whole of it all.

To me God speaks in many ways. So, I think ITW has it nailed pretty good here.

This explanation sounds plausible to me. However, if God the Spirit speaks the Word (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4487) of God (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2316) through you (ref. Ephesians 6:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:17;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Ephesians+6%3A17&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)) as you rebuke a demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142), then why do you need to invoke the name (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3686) of Christ Jesus (i.e. Acts 16:16-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:16-18;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Acts+16%3A16-18&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)), as opposed to simply speaking by inspiration? Would the said process not represent a methodological tautology?

[CoreIssue]

Isn't Christ the assigned power and authority through which God speaks on the earth? The Father does not speak directly and the Holy Spirit acts and speaks for Christ.

Christ is the King, Savior and brother for Man. He paid the price hence he holds the power and autority, as the Second Adam, to command and take back.

God just set it up that way, I believe.

[Chrystalwuzhere]

However, if God the Spirit speaks the Word (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4487) of God (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2316) through you (ref. Ephesians 6:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:17;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Ephesians+6%3A17&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)) as you rebuke a demon (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142), then why do you need to invoke the name (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3686) of Christ Jesus (i.e. Acts 16:16-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:16-18;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Acts+16%3A16-18&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)), as opposed to simply speaking by inspiration?

Because it is through Christ Jesus's holiness, and His righteousness that we are able to march boldly before the throne of grace, and to stand before Him blameless, and ..... oh, never mind. I started my post before I read Core's. He said it better, and in fewer words than I can... so..... what he said.

[eahaddix]

Isn't Christ the assigned power and authority through which God speaks on the earth? The Father does not speak directly and the Holy Spirit acts and speaks for Christ.

Your point supports my logical objection. Specifically, if God the Spirit represents Christ Jesus (John 14:16-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:16-18;&version=31;), ref. Romans 8:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:9;&version=31;), etc.), then why do you need to invoke the name (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3686) of Christ Jesus (i.e. Acts 16:16-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:16-18;&version=31;) [Greek[ (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Acts+16%3A16-18&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)), as opposed to simply speaking by inspiration? God the Spirit would represent Christ Jesus's authority by default, yes?

[CoreIssue]

Remember in the Greek name does not mean a label, only. It is the title and authority of a person as well.

So, to speak by the name of Christ is to speak by his authority.

The principle is to state by whose authority you speak to another. Are you speaking by yours, Christ's, a demon, the Father, the Holy Spirit or so on.

I believe it is for the benefit of the one spoken to, not the speaker.

[Jessie]

where does it say to attack a demon with the sword of the spirit?

the word of God is like a 2 edged sword which goes right into a person.
cuts..to the point.
thats why I think its the word of God.

[eahaddix]

where does it say to attack a demon with the sword of the spirit?

Why would Ephesians 6:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:12;&version=31;) not include spiritual warfare against individual demons (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1142)?

[eddie]

It's a double edge sword..the only armor of God that is both offensive and defensive.

We call on Jesus to intercede for us, instead of directly facing Satan...We cannot forget the power Satan has, and that Jesus is more powerful.

[CoreIssue]

It's a double edge sword..the only armor of God that is both offensive and defensive.

We call on Jesus to intercede for us, instead of directly facing Satan...We cannot forget the power Satan has, and that Jesus is more powerful.
Yep.