Welcome back to The War Series, Dressed To Kill which is our 2nd Golden Series on the website, and our first series of this year. We have been actively talking about what spiritual warfare is and its components, like The Decision Making Process, Basic Details, as well as our issued uniforms that we would need for combat. We also have been getting a clear picture of the Roman soldiers and their customs and training regime.
Be sure to go back and catch up on previous War Series posts if you missed any.
Spiritual Warfare Prayer: Father we just thank you right now for the favor and mercy that you have given to us each day. Without you, we are nothing, for we know where our help comes from in times of trouble and sorrow. Holy Spirit, be a teacher to us and show us the way that we should go and guide us through it according to your will. Father forgive us of our sins and help up walk in righteousness. We humble ourselves under your mighty hand and we will exalt you at all times. Father, you know what we need before it even reaches our concern; and if we do have concerns, we will cast them over to you in Jesus' name. For we know the problems in our hands may appear to be bigger than we can handle, but in your hands, no problem is too big at all. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Let’s Get Into It!!
Assault Rifle
Uniform Details: Our Assault Rifle a.k.a Sword of the Spirit is our 6th equipment armor that we will be issued. We will wear this armor correctly according to the Word of God. We will be covered and fully protected with this armor.
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
There are many types of weapons used in the Military, however, in basic training recruits will learn the fundamentals of an assault rifle as a starting point. The reason for this is based on the damage that an assault rifle can do. Of course, all weapons have the intent to kill, but the assault rifle gives the shooter the advantage to kill their target quickly and in large quantities.
Recruits will learn weaponry and marksmanship during the last few weeks of the basic training. Having great Marksmanship means you have the ability to hit your target accurately and consistently. Remember when I talked about Strengthening Your Aim in Week 1, now that you have been given your weapon you can now Sharpen Your Aim and improve your accuracy and consistency.
Soldiers practice and earn their proficiencies by taking shooting drills and tests. According to the Go Army website, certifications to be a marksman, soldiers are required to shoot 23 out of 40 targets. To be considered a Sharpshooter, soldiers are required to shoot 30 out of 40 targets, whereas as Expert Shooters, soldiers are required to shoot 36 out of 40 targets to be given the name.
How Accurate is your Aim when it comes to your Assault Rifle?
Spiritual Intel:
In my opinion, a military Assault Rifle is the equivalent to what Paul describes as the Sword of the Spirit. Ephesian 6:17, teaches us that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. So what does that actually mean, and how do we even use it? In Roman times, the sword served as an offensive weapon of choice. When properly cleaned and sharpened accordingly, the sword could slice through anything and anyone, and essentially the Word is the same way.
The bible is an essential tool wrapped up as a weapon to separate good and evil. It’s used for correction and reproofing for the people of God to follow so they can live accordingly in this fallen world. It’s also the key element in getting, sustaining, and having a relationship with the Creator of the World, Our Lord God. We use the Sword of the Spirit a.k.a The Assault Rifle because our war is in the spiritual realm, so fighting in the spiritual realm requires a strong and powerful spiritual weapon that will sustain us.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Strategic Intel: How To Effectively Use Our Assault Rifle?
To use this armor strategically we must understand that we need to practice our scripture memorization skills and understand the importance of scripture meaning and context. It's one thing to remember scripture, but it’s another thing to know the context and meaning behind the scripture. Many people can quote scripture verbatim but still don't know what it actually means nor how to apply scripture to a situation or conflict.
Am I effective with my weapon?
Sometimes when you're in battle, or in situations, you will not be able to simply reach for your bible and look over scriptures to help you. This is where previous studying and memorization come into play. Strategically, we need to be at a place where we have scripture in our hearts and minds, overall, this is the end goal. Yes, it's okay to have your bible on hand with you but some battlefields will not be so easy for you to do so.
Scripture Memorization is a vital skill in knowing how to properly use your Assault Rifle. Granted, I do not know every scripture right off the top of my head; some scriptures that I do know, I generally paraphrase because I don’t know them word for word. Some I know where to find them and some I don’t know, Depending on the topic I know some scriptures verbatim. It just takes time and consistency to improve on this skill, and I know you all will do great!!
History Facts: Roman Combat Training
In Roman legionaries, new recruits practiced with wooden weapons that were shaped like the ideal armor of a warrior; then later once recruits finished basic training they would then get their proper weapons. The wooden practice pieces were three times heavier than normal due to the fact that if the trainees could proficiently master their practice weapons then when it came time for the real weapons they would be experts.
It is here that they learn how to properly use their shields as well as their swords. They would have them practice maneuvers like moving forward to deliver a blow and then hiding behind their shields for the anticipation of their opponents' chain of attacks.
Imagine that, striking the Devil with the Word of the Spirit and then taking cover behind the shield of Faith because you anticipate the use of the Devil’s manipulating devices.
Combo Attacks: Training Is Needed!
The Sword of the Spirit is both an Offensive and a Defensive weapon of choice. God’s Word can not only defend and protect us but it can also be used for counterattacks.
The sword can be used as a Defensive Tactic because just like in the Roman empire the sword was the primary weapon of choice for defending themselves in battle. The bible says everything else will fail, but the Word of God will remain. God’s Word stands true and it stands all by itself! Jesus Christ is a prime example of how we should walk according to the true Word of God and use it to our advantage against the enemy. Even when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the book of Matthew 4. He used His Father’s Word to flee the devil. He may have been weak in the body but he was strong in the mind and heart. The Sword defends us from the harms and dangers of Satan; nothing can rattle the devil more than the Word of God. If we have the Word of God in us, then we will not fail.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:1-4
The sword is an Offensive Tactic because we can use it to break down the strongholds that are in our lives that keep us from God. Because the Word of God is true, we can rely on our discernment to know what is of God and what is not. We can find error, falsehoods, and idolatry that are all fallen demonic tactics that the devil tempts us with.
When we start to use the Word of God to our advantage in battle the devil begins to have a nervous breakdown because he knows the power behind the powerful blow that the Word of God possesses.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10: 4-5
Just like the Romans, we also need to practice how we properly use our assault rifles. We must learn to give powerful and effective thrusts and blows with the Word of God.
Call To Action: Train for Battle!
How do we use the Assault Rifle properly and in everyday use?
- The more you read, the better you become. What helped me become more interested in the bible was 1st learning and reading about what God thinks of me. Learning how God thinks I'm unique, that I am special, how he thinks of me, and that he loves me and will never leave me, all brought me comfort. Knowing all of these things also strengthens my personal relationship that I have with Him too. I also started out reading small verses in Psalms and Proverbs to give me encouragement, guidance, and correction. All 3 of these topics were my starting points, and they helped me seek more to read and peaked my interest in realizing that the bible is actually fun to read.
- Write Things Out! If you are a writer like I am, writing out your thoughts, and questions can be a really nice tool to have when sharpening your sword. When I took my bible reading and studying more seriously I realized I had a lot to say. I noticed that I was 2 to 3 bible journal notebooks deep with questions, perspectives, and revelations that came to me throughout the process. I love writing things down because then I can go back and look at where I came from. So try it and see how it fits you!
- Sharing your Knowledge to Gain More Knowledge. The Word of God is contagious, so allowing yourself to share your thoughts and questions with other people is beneficial for spiritual growth and maturity. You will be surprised when you gain a deeper understanding that you never thought you needed based on that conversation. Also, it will test your ability to retain what you read and bless others that may not know they need to hear as well.
- Take It Slow and Break It Down! Sometimes reading chapters at a time can be overwhelming and too difficult; especially if you are reading certain bible translations. NIV is my go-too, but breaking scripture down and dissecting it word for word is also a great tool to use when training to use your Rifle. The main objective is to learn, use, and apply the Word, to break it down, take it slow, and test yourself to see if you’ve learned from your scripture breakdown. Memorizing scripture and the meaning of the scripture goes hand and hand with taking it slow and breaking it down. Pace yourself and God will help you with the rest. You’ve got this!!
-A weapon is only as useful if you know how to use it. The First thing Roman soldiers had to learn was to fight properly and effectively. They were not of any use to themselves or others if they could not fight. This practice took them a while to master.
Golden Words of Wisdom:
With the Sword of the Spirit, we need to believe and have confidence in the scriptures while allowing the Holy Scripture to lead, help, convict, and guide us. To show confidence is to read and study the Word of God. Now, I’m not staying, you have to know the bible forward and backward for it to work accordingly, that’s not what I’m saying. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always great to read your bible and know scripture; but nowadays people can read and memorize scripture and still don’t have a clue to what it means nor can they fully grasp the meaning of it. The bible says that the Word of God is living and active, and we must believe in it wholeheartedly.
It was by the Spirit that the bible was written. Everything is done in the spirit. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to renew and transform the souls of the people who are called by the name of the Lord so they may walk according to the Word set out by God. It is the Holy Spirit that equips us to strike Satan and his schemes with the Sword (the Word) at the right time and at the right angle.
Questions To Consider: Ask yourself these questions and try to answer them to the best of your ability.
1. Am I using my Assault Rifle properly and effectively?
2. What are some things that I am doing to upkeep my Assault Rifle?
3. Is reading the Word a priority for me? Why or why not?
4. What does the Sword of the Spirit mean to you?
5. Do I know the difference between using my Assault Rifle as an Offensive Tactic and a Defensive Tactic?
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
Stay tuned for the next blog post!!!
WEEK 5:[THE WAR SERIES, DRESSED TO KILL]: Issued Uniform [Part 7]
Comments