… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Summary: Comparing Paul’s spiritual “sword of the Spirit” to a physical sword of metal yields some interesting insights.
Paul tells us that the “sword of the Spirit” is the word of God. Like every piece of armor for the spiritual warrior, the sword takes some getting used to. We need to wrap our heads around the idea of doing spiritual warfare instead of physical.
Picking up a physical sword is no joke. Metal swords are heavy. The weight of the sword requires strength to wield properly. If one is going to use a sword for battle, there are many things we need to learn.
One lesson a Roman soldier would learn about swords was how to care for them. A rusty sword is worthless in battle. It sticks in its sheath and is dull and weakened by the rust. It does no good to take a rusty weapon into a fight.
Another thing a soldier learns is how to use the sword. Swinging a sword around in the air is one thing. Using it effectively is another. Just like the slightest adjustment to a golf club is the difference between landing on the fairway or disappearing in the rough, the same is true for a sword. Use it wisely, and it will serve you well. Misuse it, and it will turn on you, leaving you vulnerable to being wounded or worse.
The spiritual sword is no different. If we use it skillfully, it will serve the Lord. If we misuse it, we end up serving the enemy.
“How can the word of God serve the enemy?,” you ask.
The Pharisees and experts in the law were the keepers of God’s word in Jesus’ day. Jesus was not pleased with how they used the scriptures. After berating the Pharisees about their hypocrisy (Luke 11: 37-44), the “experts” in the law complained that Jesus’ words had insulted them, too. Jesus responded:
“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52)
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote about using the Word of God incorrectly:
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)
Jesus himself said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
The stakes are high. We dare not wield God’s sword casually. If we are going into battle for the Lord, it is best if we train with our weapons first.
Application: Be committed to the Lord, be focused on his Word, be active in prayer.
Food for Thought: How do we “train” with a spiritual sword?
How do we “train” with a spiritual sword?
Scripture memory verse, knowing and reading your Bible so you can flip right to the Scripture you need at any time. It’s nice when someone knows their sword ( Bible, word of God ) and has had it for a long time. All the nights using it in battles. How it is cherished so much more for saving their lives and helping others. One builds a relationship with a weapon so that it naturally becomes an extention of themselves ( with the Bible I like to think we become an extention of God’s Word when we are doing it right ). Thank you for reminding me about the personal relationship that the Bible helps me understand that it’s a letter from God not about God.
Tim,
Thank you for your words today. I appreciate your perspective on this topic. I also like that you point out how the Word of God becomes a natural extension of who we are. That is encouraging.
Great reminder to take very careful and thoughtful care of how we use His Word – the Holy Scriptures with reverence and awe.
So true, Jim!
When I think about the whole armor, I see a person standing with the shield of faith on the left arm, covering shoulder to knee, and the sword pointed forward, sticking out from the right side of the shield. It is both an offensive and defensive stance. It doesn’t change. That consistency can only come about through reading God’s Word, prayer, and keeping mindfulness on the Spirit. So that we can be the same person before Christ in our prayer closet as in the grocery store.
Our shield is a shield of faith.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Our sword is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Scripture also tells us that the Word is a lamp.
Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
It brings an image of a sword that is white hot, illuminating the path of the one who holds it (in their hearts). Not just reading, not just committing to memory, but applying the Word to our lives, our daily decisions. Training is measuring our lives against scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
Hebrews 4:12 For 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.
Chris,
Your visualization of the armor of God is spot on! Thank you. I especially appreciate you pointing out that the sword of the Spirit shines with a brilliant white light. That completes the picture and reminds me of the sword wielded by the angel God put in place to guard the Garden of Eden.
“After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24)
As with any warrior, discipline is necessary. We need to know and be familiar with the sword and how to use it. Read the word, listen to the word, study the word, memorize the word, mediate upon the word, pray using the word, know the context of the word. These will allow you to grip the handle as use the sword well.
Amen, Rich.
Thank you for all you have done and are doing to ensure that we have so many opportunities to do all these things: read, hear, study, memorize, meditate, understand, and pray into the Word.
Great comments all around!
11-02-2023, How do we “train” with a spiritual sword?
Know the power as we remain alert living in this battle.
I stopped at the local Plaid Pantry for a pop 2 days ago. It was a slow period with no-one else in the store. The clerk was a long term employee, young and proud his wife had delivered their baby. I asked if it was a boy or a girl. He stuttered and stammered, eventually telling me they were going to raise her gender neutral and immediately apologized for identifying his baby as a her.
The man went on to explain how some people judge them for their decision, but they were sticking with it. I explained how God has given each of us free will to make life choices and we are each responsible to Him, not other people. He wanted to argue this fact, but I stopped him and went through the process of being given freedom of choice by God who has established the standards of right and wrong, not mankind. He got quiet and thoughtful, and I left.
I had not planned this encounter, God had arranged it and in love for this man used me to explain His truth without offending him. John 16:8 clearly teaches the Holy Spirit will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment.
We simply allow God to use us as He in love, reveals His truths to others, and the Holy Spirit will convict the person as required. We spend our time with the Holy Spirit training us to understand and effectively display God’s word as He brings others to us.
Ron,
Thank you for sharing your story today. What a great illustration of using God’s Word to free people from the chains of the devil’s lies. I pray that the little girl whose father you talked to is allowed to be who God made her.