Strong Ally The Armor of the Sword of the Spirit (Part 1) Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Strong Ally ----------------------- Date: 05/01/1999 Keywords: "armor" "Spirit" "sword" "word" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. The following is one of 42 studies on the "armor of God" as it relates to resisting Web porn. Some of the studies will examine Ephesians chapter six, which is famous for the armor theme. Some of the other studies, however, will examine how the armor pieces are discussed elsewhere in Scripture. All 42 studies are listed in the three-minute study index for the dates April 1 through May 12, 1999. Feel free to study and/or download the entire set. We welcome your feedback to this thematic approach in the three-minute studies. Passage: Ephesians 6:12-18 (especially verse 17)* 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15. and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Questions 1. Who wields the sword mentioned in verse 17 above?   2. Who is to use the word of God?   Practical help Folks using the Bible to fight off porn temptation have a strong ally in God. How so? When seeking help from Scripture, they discover that no one less than God's Spirit has stepped into the fray, swinging a pretty mean sword — the Bible itself. The "sword of the Spirit," as Hebrews 6:17 calls this weapon, not only attacks smut's demeaning, deluding lies, but exposes the strugglers' own weak defenses, such as lustful fantasies. On the other hand, when Christians shelve the Bible and forget its teachings, the sword may as well be sheathed. Staying in touch with Scripture keeps the sword in the battle — and victory over smut in sight. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version, © copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.