Thanks for reminding me of your interpretation of Ephesians 6:17-18, brother Evangelical.
You bring up some good points about the scriptures' frequent use of "sword" and mouth together, versus sword and the written word. I can't refute that.
You go too far to say that Jesus and his disciples did not need the Bible to wage spiritual warfare, just the Holy Spirit.
If that is true explain why:
The New Testament authors quote or refer to the Old Testament over 300 times (see list here
https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/quotes.cfm), including when Jesus battles Satan in the wilderness, and often when the apostles faced their opposers.
Jesus spent time when he was 12 years old with the temple teachers, listening and asking questions (Luke 2:42-47).
Jesus had a custom of entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, standing up to read from the scrolls, and preaching (Luke 4:16-21).
Paul urged Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of scripture along with exhortation and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13).
Paul kept scrolls with him (2 Timothy 4:13).
Peter refers to "some who twisted scriptures", and considers Paul's writings as scripture ((2 Peter 3:16). {if the apostles didn't deem scripture important, why is it mentioned?}.
The Bereans were considered "noble" for examining the scriptures every day to see if Paul's teachings were true.
There are positive references for study of scripture (not just the negative "you search the scriptures, but won't come to me" you often quote):
- Ezra 7:10
- Nehemiah 8:13
- Psalm 119:15
- James 1:25
Again, I say we need
both inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the written word of God as recorded in the Bible to properly experience the Spirit (not just the Bible, as you accuse me of).
Witness Lee would say that you are "using an antennae without a ground wire" for saying you only need the Spirit's inspiration.
Blessings! Have a good night. I must return to other things for a while.
JJ