Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We learned how to take the sword of the Spirit and use it with great skill by taking Scriptures that apply to our life situations. We are doing this so we will not only pass Jesus final exam, but, will become producers of a hundred times what was sown.

We learned that Jesus is going to hold us responsible for this final exam: Mat 25:35-36 (NIV) For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me. This exam decides WHERE we will spend eternity; but, we are learning how to pass this final exam with such skill that we don’t just barely make it in to His Kingdom. We are learning how to use the sword of the Spirit with such effectiveness that we are becoming the very best there is in Jesus.

We learned that there is an additional exam for those who pass Jesus’ final exam. This exam helps us know what to do so we can go far beyond just passing Jesus’ final exam. In 1 Cor 3:12-13 (NIV) we are learning that we can get Jesus’ power and training to do things that really matter.

Here is the test that helps us go far beyond passing Jesus’ final exam: If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. Rather than becoming a Christian and just desiring, studying, praying, believing, loving, and taking faith-action to fulfill the basic minimum requirements, we are putting everything we have into the Christian life.

We are all making this commitment in Phil 3:13-14 (NIV): I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Satan, people’s opinions, rejection, persecution, and punishment all keep a lot of Christians from sharing Jesus with those around them. But, if we take up our sword of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will give us boldness, love, and power to resist all this opposition and speak boldly. Acts 4:31 (NIV) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

As we have already seen, there are great quantities of things that come our way bidding for our time and attention. Even when we are using our sword of the Spirit to fight off distractions, there will be legitimate things come our way trying to get us off course. Acts 6:2 (NIV) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” It was very important to take care of widows needs; so, they appointed special people to take care of that need. And, they went on doing what God had called them to do. The sword of the Spirit will help us keep our priorities straight.

Satan and his people don’t want you spreading the Word. They will do everything they can to block you off and discourage you. This is where your sword of the Spirit must be used to keep these people from stopping you. Acts 6:7 (NIV) So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Persecution was intense; but, these people used their shield of faith to block the attacks and their sword to proclaim the message to everyone.

Acts 13:46 (NIV) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” There are people who will argue with you for as long as you will give them your attention. There are those who will dominate your time, your efforts, and your resources. Your sword of the Spirit will bring Scriptures to your attention that will lead you away from these people. It will direct you toward those who want to hear what Jesus has to say through you.

Acts 13:48 (NIV) When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The sword of the Spirit will keep you from getting discouraged because of those who hate you, resist you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things about you. It will help you realize that there are people just beyond them that desperately want Jesus’ message through you. If we fail to use our sword of the Spirit and allow the people of Satan to stop us, then we will miss helping those who would have listened and been set free.

Acts 20:32 (NIV) Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. The needs are great; as you start yielding to the power of your sword of the Spirit, you will start running out of time and energy. You will be tempted to stop spending time with Jesus for yourself. Your sword of the Spirit will resist these attitudes in you. It will protect you from lies of Satan that tell you that you don’t have time or are too tired to take care of your own spiritual needs.

Rom 10:8 (NIV) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming. This is where your shield of faith and your sword of the Spirit will work together. If we are just saying the words from the Bible, they will fail us and the people we are talking to. But, if we believe what we are saying, we will respect, honor, know, and base our lives on those things we are telling others from the Bible.

1 Cor 15:2 (NIV) By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. There is a handle on our sword of the Spirit. We can use it with a weak grip, a casual grip, an incorrect grip, or we can hold it firmly. There will be a lot of opportunities for you to express your opinion, say things that are from world teaching, or teach things you aren’t living yet. To get a firm grip on your sword of the Spirit, you must EXCLUSIVELY stick with the Word of God that you are living.

2 Cor 2:17 (NIV) Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. A lot of money can come your way; but, you must allow your sword of the Spirit to help you always be a river. Your sword of the Spirit will constantly be pointing you to Luke 6:38 (NIV). It will be telling you to give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”