Suit Up Devotional - Week 6 - Sword

Family Memory Verse for the Week
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. -Eph. 6:10-13

Devotional
How is your poker face? Many of us are careful to put on our poker face before we head out for the day. We mask up in order to hide what is going on inside of us. Our masks help other people see someone who appears to be happy instead of lonely, funny rather than afraid, serious rather than anger. Others see the face rather than what is going on inside.
Next up in the armor of God is the sword of the Spirit which Paul labels the Word of God. The armor of God is not the only place that the Word of God is compared to a sword, however. In Hebrew 4:12, we read that 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.” The Bible can cut through the facade that we put up to see the pain and turmoil bubbling up inside each of us. Thankfully, the Bible does not just see the diagnoses, but has the cure as well. While we may need some helpful counselors, friends, and other tools, the source of our cure is found in Jesus. The word of God is living and active and will see through whatever mask we bring to it. The Bible sees what is going on inside rather than the poker face.

Family Activities
The sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon and a defensive weapon. It is so important to teach our children the word of God. Have your child or help your child make a sword out of a paper towel tube or rolled up piece of paper. As they are making it talk with them about learning God’s word.  Come up with a plan as a family to discuss God’s Word daily. Ask your kids to help so everyone is excited about it and looks forward to it! You can read a devotional at breakfast, dinner, before bed, or find any time that works for you. This will help lay the foundation for when they grow to have a healthy rhythm in place for digging into God’s word daily.