The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-06-19
MORRIS COUNTY CHRONICLE, FRIDAY. JUNE 19, 1903
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Topic For the Week BEGINNING June
21-Comment by Rev. S. H. Doyle.

Topic For the Week Beginning June
21-Comment by Rev. S. H. Doyle.
Topic.-How we may learn to use our
sword.-Eph. vi, II; Heb. iv, H. 10; II
Tim ii, Is.
Warfare is both offensive and de-
fensive. The soldier must learn to
make aggressive warfare and also how
to defend and guard himself. Defen-
sive warfare was more prevalent in
the past than today. The weapons of
offense were such that it was possible
for men by extensive armors to protect
and defend themselves. But no armor
can withstand the modern weapons Of
warfare, and hence little attention in
recent times has been paid to this inn
portant phase of ancient military life.
In his description of the Christians
armor in the sixth chapter of Ephe-
slams Paul mentions five articles of de-
Tense and but one of offense The de-
fensiye armor is composed of the girdle
of truth, the breastplate of righteous.
ness, the sandals of security and swift
ness, the shield Of faith and the helmet
of salvation. The only offensive weap-
on is "the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God" The chief business
of the Christian in this life is to pro-
tect himself from the assaults of the
evil one, and his only offensive weapon
is he word of Cod which was inspired
by the Holy Ghost Error is to be
overcome by the truth and evil resisted
by the use of Gods revealed word
The effectiveness of the sword of the
Spirit in Christian warfare is not to be
doubted or questioned. The character
of the word is proof of its effective
ness. 1t is 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
evil and knew what would overcome it.
AS the word of God it has great power
when rightly used. 1t is living and
powerful and heart search Expert
ence also proves the effect. of
Gods word as q Christian weapon of
warfare. No better example of this
fact can be recalled than that of the
Master Himself. During His great
temptation the sword of the Spirit was
His only weapon, but it was most eff
fective one. To Satan's argument, 1T
is written" He invariably replied, "It
is written again." Thus He success
fully parted every blow of the adver-
sary and came off more than conquer
or over him. Gods word is still effec-
tive in warding off evil and overcom-
ing it.
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
if he does not know how to use them
he is q failure as a soldier. God has
given us His word, but we must study
it in it's depth and entirety before we
can use it effectively. We must under
stand it and know how to rightly di-
vide it, This can only come from
study. G) 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; xi, 1928; Ps. l. 1-3;
xix, 7-14; cXix, 105; Matt. iv, Ill; John
V, 80; Acts xvii, 1912; Rev. /, 16; xix,
10.