July 28 - The Sword of the Spirit 성령의 검

July 28 - The Sword of the Spirit

 

“Tale the helmet of salvation and The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17

 

 

Paul mentions "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." This is the first offensive weapon mentioned. The sword was used to kill and defeat enemies during the attack. The typical Roman sword was not a long, cumbersome weapon. Rather, they were short-bladed, easy to draw, and quick in combat. Paul uses the term machairan here, specifically referring to a short-bladed sword of this type. 

 

In war, there are defensive weapons and offensive weapons. The same is true in spiritual warfare. God says the weapon that attacks to win over Satan is the word of God, which is called the sword of the Spirit. The sword, Makaria, which Paul says the word is like a double-edged sword. 

 

Roman soldiers used such swords in war. Since the breath of God writes the word, the Bible is the sword of the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). The word of God is used as the major weapon to confront Satan in spiritual warfare. In the battle between Jesus and Satan, Jesus wins by citing Scripture each time when Satan tests Jesus three times (Matthew 4:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:16; 6:13). If Jesus beat Satan by quoting the Scripture, how can we overcome the enemy unless we are equipped with God’s word? 

 

God's Word helps to defeat our enemies during spiritual attacks. Those who study and know Scripture can best "strike back" against temptation and prevent the Devil from knocking them off their post. It should also be noted that swords, as powerful weapons, are subject to misuse.

 

A properly wielded sword, used as the soldier has been taught, is a capable tool. But, a soldier who swings a sword wildly or carelessly can harm themselves or others. The same is true of the Bible, the "sword of the Spirit." Improper, careless, or rebellious use of the Bible causes pain, harm, and spiritual damage.

 

The Psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalms 119:11). The word of God expresses the will of God. God’s will does not accept sins. Thus, if our hearts are filled with God’s word, sins, and temptations do not control us. The apostle John said, “…

 

I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:14). The word of God can be a great defensive weapon, and it is also to withstand attacks of the enemy, Satan. The writer of Hebrew said, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrew 4:12). 

 

“Have the word of God in our lives” means we ought to read the Scripture. First, a Christian can't live the life of a Christian without reading the Bible regularly. Secondly, having the word of God in our lives means meditating upon the Bible. Pondering over the Scripture is the secret to victory in spiritual warfare. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night” (Psalms 1:2). Thirdly, we need to memorize the Scripture. Fourth, we ought to study the Bible. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Through studying the Scripture, we can be victorious without losing a spiritual battle. 

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Ask that your loved ones discover the preciousness of God’s truth (Proverbs 23:23). Pray that the truth of God’s Word will be the solid foundation of the educational program in your congregation. 

Prayer Pointer: To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. – Martin Luther

Bible Reading: Psalm 53-55; Acts 27:26-44

 

 

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7월 28일 - 성령의 검

 

“구원의 투구와 성령의 검 곧 하나님의 말씀을 가지라”- 엡 6:17

 

 

바울은 영적 전쟁의 첫 번째로 “성령의 검 곧 하나님의 말씀"을  공격용 무기로 갖추라고  말합니다. 바울 당시 군인의 검은 공격하면서 적을 물리치는 데 사용되었습니다. 전형적인 로마의 군인의 검은 길고 거추장스러운 칼이아니었습니다. 오히려 군인이 사용하는 검은 짧고 간편하며 전투에서 재빨리 사용하는 단 검과 같은 무기였습니다. 특별히 바울이 여기서 사용하고 있는 ‘마카리아’ 라는 헬라의 검은 로마 군인들이 전투에서 사용하는 단검을 가리킵니다. 

 

전쟁에 사용하는 무기에는 방어용와 공격용이 있습니다. 영적 전쟁에서도 마찬가지로 하나님은 사탄을 이기는 공격용 무기를 성령의 검인 하나님의 말씀이라고 말씀합니다. 바울이 말한 검인 “마카리아”는 양날이 있는 단 검을 의미합니다. 로마군인들은 전쟁에서 이러한 검을 사용하였습니다. 하나님의 말씀은 그의 호흡으로 기록되었기 때문에 성령의 검으로 표현하고 있고(딤후 3:16) 하나님의 말씀은 영적 전쟁에서 사탄과 맞서는 주요 무기로 사용되는 것입니다.  

 

사탄이 예수님을 세번 시험할때에 세번 모두 성경 말씀을 인용하여 사탄을 물리치셨습니다(마 4:1-11; 신 8:3; 6:16; 마 6:13). 예수님께서 말씀으로 사탄을 이기셨다면 우리가 하나님의 말씀을 인용하지 않고 어떻게 사탄을 물리치고 승리할 수 있겠습니까?

 

하나님의 말씀은 영적전쟁에서 적을 물리치는데 필요한 무기 입니다. 성경을 읽고 공부하면 말씀으로 시험에 맞서 이기며 마귀의 공격을 막을 수 있습니다. 또한 강력한 공격 무기인 말씀의 검은 잘못 사용될 수 도 있습니다. 군사가 훈련 받은 대로 적절하게 검을 사용하면 유능한 무기기 되고 적을 물리칠 수 있지만  검을 부주의하게 잘못 사용하는 경우에는 자신 뿐만 아니라 주위의 사람들까지 해칠 수도 있습니다. “성령의 검”인 성경 말씀도 마찬가지 입니다. 성경을 부주의하게 잘못 사용하면 영적인 고통과 해로움, 그리고 영적 손상을 가져 올 수 있습니다. 

 

시편 기자는 “내가 주께 범죄치 아니하려 하여 주의 말씀을 내 마음에 두었나이다”(시119:11) 라고 말합니다. 하나님의 뜻은 죄를 짓지 않는 것 입니다. 말씀으로 충만하면 죄와 시험을 이깁니다. 사도 요한은 “내가 너희에게 쓴 것은 너희가 태초부터 계신 이를 알았음 이요 청년들아 내가 너희에게 쓴 것은 너희가 강하고 하나님의 말씀이 너희 속에 거하시고 너희가 흉악한 자를 이기었음이라”(요일 2:14)라고 말합니다. 하나님의 말씀은 죄를 짓지 않는 놀라운 방어무기인 동시에 사탄을 공격하는데 유효한 무기인 것입니다. 히브리서 기자는 “하나님의 말씀은 살았고 운동력이 있어 좌우에 날 선 어떤 검보다도 예리하여 혼과 영과 및 관절과 골수를 찔러 쪼개기까지 하며 또 마음의 생각과 뜻을 감찰 하나니”(히 4:12)라고 말합니다.  

 

“하나님의 말씀을 가지라”(엡 6:17)는 말씀은 성경 말씀을 읽으라는 뜻으로 네 가지 의미가 포함되어 있습니다. 첫째, 성경을 규칙적으로 읽어야 합니다. 그렇지 않으면 그리스도인의 삶이 불가능합니다. 둘째, 하나님의 말씀을 묵상해야 합니다. 말씀 묵상은 영적 전쟁에서 승리하는 비결 입니다.“오직 여호와의 율법을 즐거워하여 그 율법을 주야로 묵상하는 자로다”(시 1:2). 셋째, 하나님의 말씀을 암송해야 합니다. 넷째, 성경을 연구하는 것 입니다.“네가 진리의 말씀을 옳게 분변하며 부끄러울 것이 없는 일꾼으로 인정된 자로 자신을 하나님 앞에 드리기를 힘쓰라”(딤후 2:15). 성경을 읽고, 묵상하고, 암송하고, 연구하는 삶을 통해 영적 전쟁에서 승리하는 성도들이 되어야 하겠습니다.

 

오늘의 기도: 당신의 사랑하는 사람들이 하나님의 진리의 소중함을 발견하도록 기도하고 (잠 23:23), 하나님의 말씀의 진리가 당신 교회의 교육 프로그램의 든든한 기초가 되도록 기도하십시오.

기도 지침: 기도없이 그리스도인이 된다는 것은 숨을 쉬지 않고 산다는 것과 같은 것이다 – 마르틴 루터

성경 읽기: 시편 53-55편; 사도행전 27:26-44