Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-06-17
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Hspic For the Week Beginning June
2I-Gomment by Rev. s. III. Doyle.


asric For the Week Beginning June
2I-Comment by Rev. s. III. Doyle.
Topic.-How we may learn to use our
sword--Eph. vi. II; Heb. iv, Il. 10: Ii
TIN II, Is.
Warfare is both offensive and de-
fensive. The soldier must learn to
make aggressive warfare and also how
70 defend and guard himself Defen-
stse warfare was more prevalent in
the past than today. The weapons OF
onense were such that il was possible
for men by extensive armors to protect
and defend themselves. But no armon
can withstand the modern weapons OF
warfare, and hence little attention In
recent times has been paid to this i'm
portant phase of ancient military life.
In his description OF the Christians
Armor in the sixth chapter Of Ephe-
CLANS Paul mentions five articles Of de-
Tense and but one of offense. The de-
fensive armor is composed of the girdle
Of truth, the breastplate of righteous
ness, the sandals of security and swift
ness the8hield Of faith and the helmet
ID salvation. The only offensive weap-
On is the sword of the Spirit, which Is
tina word of God" The chief business
Il the Christian in this life is to pro-
tect himself from the assaults of the
evil one, and his only offensive weapon
= the word of God, which was inspired
b. the Holy Ghost. Error is to be
overcome by the truth and evil resisted
D. the use of Gods revealed word.
The effectiveness of the sword of the
6pirit in Christian warfare is not to be
doubted or questioned. The character
Ct the word is proof of its effective
nass. 1t Ia the word of God, and here
IN lies the secret Of its power 1t was
Inspired by Gods Spirit, who under
Stood the human heart and life and
knew what would be necessary for
their welfare and who also understood
oNu and knew what would overcome il.
~ the word of God it has great power
wen rightly used 1t is living and,
powerful and heart searching. Expert
ence also proves the effectiveness Of
0od's word as a Christian weapon Of
warfare. No better example OF this
&aet can be recalled than that of the
Master Himself. During His great
f&nptation the sword of the Spirit was
Hs only weapon. but it was a most ef-
1setive one. To Satan's argument. at
d written" He invariably replied, at
n written again" Thus He success
fxi1y psrried every blow Of the adver-
saxy and came of more than conquer
q over him. Gods word is still effec-
i've in warding Of evil and overcom-
1ng IL
: We may have to use the sword Of the
Spirit in two ways-by study and by,
Practice. a. We must know the word
Of God. A soldier may be provided
with all the weapons of warfare, yet
Il be does not know how to use them
he is a failure as a soldier. God has
given US His word, but we must study
it in its depth and entirety before we
can use it effectively. We must under
stand 1t and know how to rightly d.
vide 1t. This can only come from
study. (2) We must use Gods word.
Practice gives proficiency. Every temp
tation should be met in the strength of
Gods word; every progressive move
ment in Christian work or life should
be founded upon it. By constant prac-
tice we will become proficient as SOL
diers Of Jesus Christ in the use of "the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God"
BIBLE READINGS.
Deut vi, 40; XII, 1923; Ps. i, 1-3;
xix, ia; cxix, 105: Matt fv, Ill; John
y, 80; Acts xvii, 1912; Rev. i. 16; xix,
dk.
l..