The Power of Words in Spiritual Warfare
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound power of our words and their role in the spiritual battles we face. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue," emphasizing the significant impact our words can have. Over the past weeks, we've been equipping ourselves with prayers and declarations to intentionally speak life, unity, and protection over our families. This is not just about communication; it's about engaging in the spiritual warfare that surrounds us, as described in Ephesians 6:10-13. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, and we must be proactive in this battle.
Today, we focused on two critical pieces of spiritual armor: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and the shield of faith. The Word of God is not just for reading; it is a weapon to be wielded in battle. By declaring God's Word over our lives, we push back the enemy's attacks. Similarly, the shield of faith is not just about believing in God's existence but trusting in His faithfulness. This faith allows us to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one and experience freedom from bondage.
We also discussed the importance of submitting to God as a precursor to resisting the devil. Submission involves aligning ourselves with God's authority and teachings, which empowers us to stand firm against the enemy's lies. The enemy often tries to convince us that we are too far gone or unworthy, but Scripture tells us otherwise. We are forgiven and free, and Jesus came specifically for those who feel lost and broken.
As we prepare to take communion, we remember that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate declaration of victory over sin and death. His words, "It is finished," signify our redemption and the freedom we can now live in. This victory is not automatic; we must actively participate by submitting to God's way and wielding the spiritual tools He has given us. Let us walk in the authority and freedom that Jesus has secured for us, declaring His Word and trusting in His faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Words: Our words hold the power of life and death, as stated in Proverbs 18:21. They are not just for communication but are tools in the spiritual battle we face. By speaking life and God's promises, we can influence our circumstances and align ourselves with His will. [28:44]
2. The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. It is not enough to read Scripture; we must declare it over our lives to combat the enemy's lies. This proactive use of God's Word helps us stand firm in truth and resist the devil. [32:07]
3. The Shield of Faith: Faith is more than belief in God's existence; it is trust in His faithfulness. By holding up the shield of faith, we can extinguish the enemy's attacks and experience freedom from bondage. This faith is rooted in the assurance that God will fulfill His promises. [36:56]
4. Submission and Resistance: James 4:7 teaches us to submit to God before resisting the devil. Submission involves aligning ourselves with God's authority and teachings, empowering us to stand firm against the enemy's lies. This alignment is crucial for effective spiritual warfare. [39:30]
5. Victory Through Christ: Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," signifies our redemption and victory over sin and death. This victory is available to all, regardless of past mistakes. By embracing this truth and living in alignment with God's will, we can experience the freedom and authority that Jesus secured for us. [57:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Power of Words
- [02:15] - Proverbs 18:21: Life and Death in the Tongue
- [04:00] - Spiritual Warfare and Ephesians 6
- [06:45] - Prayers and Declarations as Tools
- [09:30] - The Sword of the Spirit: God's Word
- [12:00] - The Shield of Faith: Trusting God's Faithfulness
- [15:00] - Submission to God and Resisting the Devil
- [18:00] - Overcoming Lies of the Enemy
- [21:00] - Jesus' Victory: "It is Finished"
- [24:00] - Communion Preparation
- [27:00] - Prayer and Declaration for Unity
- [30:00] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
2. Ephesians 6:10-17 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes..."
3. James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 18:21, what is the significance of the power of the tongue? How does this relate to the spiritual battles we face? [28:44]
2. In Ephesians 6:10-17, what are the components of the full armor of God, and how do they equip us for spiritual warfare? [32:07]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the "sword of the Spirit" and the "shield of faith" in our spiritual battles? [36:56]
4. What does James 4:7 suggest about the relationship between submission to God and resisting the devil? [39:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the power of words, as described in Proverbs 18:21, influence our daily interactions and spiritual life? [28:44]
2. What does it mean to "put on the full armor of God," and how can this be practically applied in our lives according to the sermon? [32:07]
3. How does the concept of faith in God's faithfulness, as discussed in the sermon, differ from simply believing in God's existence? [36:56]
4. In what ways does submitting to God empower us to resist the devil, and why is this submission crucial for spiritual victory? [39:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your words had a significant impact. How can you be more intentional about speaking life and God's promises in your daily conversations? [28:44]
2. Identify an area in your life where you need to wield the "sword of the Spirit" more effectively. What specific scripture can you declare over this situation? [32:07]
3. Consider a challenge you are currently facing. How can you actively use the "shield of faith" to trust in God's faithfulness and extinguish the enemy's attacks? [36:56]
4. What steps can you take to better align yourself with God's authority and teachings, as a means of submitting to Him and resisting the devil? [39:30]
5. Think about a lie from the enemy that you have believed about yourself. How can you replace this lie with the truth of what God says about you? [41:24]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of prayers and declarations into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual armor? [34:05]
7. As you prepare to take communion, how can you more fully embrace the victory and freedom that Jesus has secured for you? What does "It is finished" mean for your personal journey? [57:32]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Words
Our words have the power to shape our reality and influence the spiritual atmosphere around us. Proverbs 18:21 highlights that "death and life are in the power of the tongue," reminding us that our speech can either build up or tear down. In the context of spiritual warfare, words are not merely for communication but are potent tools that can align us with God's will. By intentionally speaking life, unity, and protection over our families, we engage in the spiritual battles that surround us. This proactive approach helps us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes and to declare God's promises over our lives. [28:44]
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words could have been more life-giving. How can you intentionally speak words of encouragement and truth in your interactions today?
Day 2: Wielding the Sword of the Spirit
The Word of God is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare, described as the sword of the Spirit. It is not enough to merely read Scripture; we must actively declare it over our lives to combat the enemy's lies. This proactive use of God's Word helps us to stand firm in truth and resist the devil's attacks. By internalizing and speaking Scripture, we align ourselves with God's truth and push back against the darkness. The Word of God becomes a living and active force in our lives, enabling us to navigate spiritual battles with confidence and authority. [32:07]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific lie or fear you are currently facing. What Scripture can you declare over this situation to stand firm in God's truth today?
Day 3: Trusting in the Shield of Faith
Faith is more than just belief in God's existence; it is a deep trust in His faithfulness and promises. The shield of faith allows us to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one and experience freedom from bondage. This faith is rooted in the assurance that God will fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seem challenging. By holding up the shield of faith, we can confidently face the enemy's attacks, knowing that God is our protector and provider. This trust in God's faithfulness empowers us to live victoriously and to experience the freedom that comes from walking in His truth. [36:56]
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's faithfulness? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today?
Day 4: Aligning with God's Authority
Submission to God is a crucial precursor to resisting the devil. James 4:7 teaches us to submit to God before we can effectively stand against the enemy's lies. Submission involves aligning ourselves with God's authority and teachings, which empowers us to stand firm in spiritual warfare. By submitting to God's way, we position ourselves to receive His strength and guidance. This alignment with God's authority is essential for overcoming the enemy's deceptions and living in the freedom that Christ offers. [39:30]
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are resisting God's authority? What steps can you take to submit to His will and align yourself with His teachings today?
Day 5: Living in Christ's Victory
Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," signifies our redemption and victory over sin and death. This victory is available to all, regardless of past mistakes. By embracing this truth and living in alignment with God's will, we can experience the freedom and authority that Jesus secured for us. This victory is not automatic; it requires active participation in submitting to God's way and wielding the spiritual tools He has given us. As we walk in the authority and freedom that Jesus has secured, we declare His Word and trust in His faithfulness, living as overcomers in the spiritual battles we face. [57:32]
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively live in the victory that Christ has secured for you today? What steps can you take to align your life with His will and experience the freedom He offers?
Quotes
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who use it will eat its fruit. So it's simply saying that there is power in our words. And those who use our words. Those who, it says right here. Those that are using the tongue, right? Everyone who speaks, there are consequences. There's going to be fruit, right? So we're planting seeds. We're doing something. And there will be a result from what we say. And so we need to take that seriously." [00:25:44] (27 seconds)
"But we gave away the prayers and declarations. And this was really so that we can begin to start using our tongue for good, right? We can begin to start intentionally speaking life and unity and protection over our families. And it's simply, we're speaking God's word. We're speaking God's word. We're using what God has given us to fight. This battle that we've been talking about. There's this battle that's going on that we cannot see." [00:26:37] (28 seconds)
"And the prayers and the declarations, this is one way. It's a template. It's an amazing tool that we've put together so that we can be intentional and we can fight. Because we have responsibility in this battle. I think for far too long, maybe a lot of us, myself included, we have been victims. We've just kind of been in there getting pushed around, getting blasted in this battle. Because we have not picked up what God has given us to fight." [00:27:46] (29 seconds)
"So today we're going to focus on two things. God has given us his spiritual armor, but I want to focus on two. One is the sword of the spirit, the word of God. And two is the shield of faith, which we can learn when you go back and you really dig into that. What it's actually, it's not just faith that God exists, but this is faith in his faithfulness. It is faith that what God says he will do." [00:31:07] (26 seconds)
"Ephesians 6, verse 17 says, take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. This is so much more than simply reading the Bible. It's important, but that's incomplete. We do need to read the Bible. I tell people all the time, read the Bible. You know, people ask me, okay, hey, I'm struggling with this thing right here, this, you know, maybe with my identity in Christ, who I am, who God says I am." [00:32:35] (25 seconds)
"So just simply reading Scripture and learning is so important. And that's great. We get information. The Scripture says to hide God's Word in our heart. So yes, we should be reading Scripture all the time. But what I'm talking about is a little different. It's using Scripture for offense. Using Scripture to fight in this battle that we're in. Again, the Word of God is our weapon." [00:33:38] (28 seconds)
"When we declare God's Word over our lives, we're pushing back the enemy's attacks. Here's what it says, James 4, 7. Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. I think far too often we focus on maybe the second half of that verse. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. I'm going to try really hard." [00:35:03] (21 seconds)
"Another way that we fight or that we resist the enemy is by picking up the shield of faith. Now, quickly, let me share something with you. A lie that I also think that we believe is it's always going to be this difficult. It's always going to be like this. But the scripture is clear that if we pick up the shield of faith, we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." [00:36:56] (35 seconds)
"Because we pointed this out over the last few weeks, but I want to make sure that we're clear. If we get the sword, and we figure this out, we're offensive, and we're defensive, and we are working this out. We are cutting off the lies of the enemy, right? We have the shield of faith, and we're really having faith in what God says, what God says will happen, will happen." [00:38:30] (20 seconds)
"Faith is not about how strong we are. It's about believing that God will do what He says He will do. Psalm 91 .4 says this. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Rampart is the city walls. It's a protection. His faithfulness will be your shield and your rampart, your protection." [00:39:42] (27 seconds)
"So you're sitting here, you might be thinking, I'm too far gone. This is not for me. No, this is exactly who Jesus came for. This is exactly, if you read the Bible, where did Jesus go? He hung out with the tax collectors and the sinners, the worst of the worst. And the religious people, which is so funny to me, the religious people were like, what are you doing?" [00:42:40] (26 seconds)
"Jesus declared victory over sin and death and the enemy. And today, some here, some watching online need to sit in that right there. I'm going to live on that one promise this week that it's done. Listen, Jesus declared victory. It is finished. So as we take communion, remember that. Jesus' body was broken so that we could walk in wholeness." [00:58:39] (32 seconds)
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