The sixth chapter of Ephesians instructs us in this fashion “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.

We are admonished to girt our loins about with truth, have on the breastplate of righteousness and our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, we are told to take on the shield of faith with which we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicket. We are to take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God: praying always and with all supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

With regard to this most powerful passage of scripture, have we not been taught that the “sword of the Spirit” reference was to the Bible? The word “word” in the bible is thought to have one of two meanings. One use is logos which fundamentally means written and the other is Rhema which connotes life or anointing upon the work. There is some controversy and further depth regarding this matter which I shall deflect to another time.

What I wish to demonstrate here is that the sword of the spirit/word of God that is referred to here is actually the process of praying in tongues (praying in the Spirit). This scripture also says that all supplication (fervent/aggressive prayer) and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Praying in Tongues (praying in the Spirit) is an essential element of waging spiritual warfare. It is our most effective weapon.

More about speaking/praying in Tongues.