Ephesians 6:16-17 ‘Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’

DAILY READING; Philemon 1:1-25; Jeremiah 19-20; Psalm 128

Spartacus, is the most popular gladiator in history. He was the gladiator that led the most successful slave revolt in the history of the Roman Empire.

Gladiators were ancient professional fighters, who often fought to death to entertain crowds in the Roman amphitheaters. Gladiators relied on their swords. Their name came from the Latin word ‘gladius’, which is the short sword used in their combats.

However, gladiators were often kept in slavery and oppression and treated cruelly. And as a result of this, in 73 BCE these gladiators decided to revolt. Spartacus, became the leader of 78 gladiators who rebelled against the oppression. After overpowering their guards and scrambling over the walls, they were fortunate to find a wagon transporting weapons to another city. They quickly took over the wagon and each man took a sword to himself. Armed with these weapons, this little band of rebelling gladiators were suddenly turned to a dangerous fighting force. They headed towards Rome believing that their only key to freedom lay in crushing Rome itself. Their numbers kept increasing, as other revolting slaves joined, until they had reached almost 120,000 men.

Rome sent several troops to confront them but these troops were all defeated by Spartacus and his men. Rome trembled with fear, as with the defeat of its various legions, the city was now short of available troops and able commanders. Even Commanders on the war field had to be recalled to help fight the rebels. Eventually when Rome had almost exhausted its soldiers, the rebellion was eventually crushed.

However, it is quite interesting to note that this small band of gladiators became confident to fight the great Roman Empire, because they were able to lay their hands on swords.

Ephesians 6:16-17 says ‘Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit that gives us confidence in spiritual warfare. When you are armed with the Word, you can rebel against any oppression. Spiritual warfare is essentially a war of words and the superior word of power that guarantees us victory is God’s Word. We become triumphant in spiritual battles, when we engage the sword of the Spirit, by releasing faith-filled words against the enemy.

When you speak faith-filled words, you are speaking with a mouth and wisdom which the enemy cannot resist nor gainsay.  And we acquire faith by diligent study of God’s Word. When faith arises in your heart, it will cause you to attack with precision, confidence and assurance, because you are certain of what you are saying.

When Jesus was on the mountain for a 40-day fast, He released faith-filled Words against each temptation of the enemy by declaring ‘It is written..’. And after three times of declaring God’s Word, Matthew 4:11 stated ‘Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’

When you are armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, you will be victorious in every battle.  The Word of God is a two edged sword which can break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron. It can break every chain of oppression and destroy every yoke of limitation.

In any way the enemy is trying to oppress you today, you can revolt against that oppression. Engage the sword of the Spirit by declaring God’s Word over that situation. Refuse to accept that bondage of sickness and poverty, refuse to accept that slavery to sin, refuse to accept any situation contrary to God’s will for you. You can reject every form of oppression, because you have what it takes to be a winner. Indeed with faith from God’s Word, you have the victory that overcomes the world.

PRAYER: Lord, by the power in Your Word, I know that I have the victory today against every oppression of the enemy. Thank You Lord, for indeed I  have the victory over sickness, poverty, and every form of limitations in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

The study of The Word will keep  shame and disgrace far from you. WORDBITE 222