Almost every youngster has grabbed up a stick or a broom handle and wielded it as a sword in the childhood world make-believe where damsels in distress call out and knights of honor rush to rescue. At Christmas, cardboard rolls from wrapping paper lend themselves well to assuring who remains king of the hill. What I remember most is knowing I would soon surrender in defeat when I found myself backing up instead of charging forward. This would usually occur during a duel when I would be overcome by the distraction of laughter and zeal and allow my sword to fall to my side. This frequently happened with my older brother and several older male cousins. Who often caused me to abandon my sword, tuck tail, run, or lay down and confess deadly status.
The apostle Paul’s final instruction regarding putting on the armor of God addresses the only piece designed to be offensive. The sword of the Spirit. Up until now, every piece identified has been designed to protect and defend. Now, this final note is the commission for battle. Though, indeed, a sword could defend me, I should remember that successful charges into a battle call for striking down the enemy before they have the chance to inflict harm. This passage in Ephesians is the only place in all scripture where the sword of the Spirit is referenced. However, Paul does not leave us as uninformed soldiers because he defines this mysterious weapon for us by telling us the sword is the word of God. This is the same reference for Jesus John used in his gospel writings in John 1:1.
(John 1: 1-2.14 NIV).
“In the beginning was the word, the was with God and the word was God…And the word became flesh and made His dwelling place among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of Grace and truth. “
Matthew relays that Jesus cited God’s word to Satan during His temptation in the wilderness. Jesus proclaimed that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). This is both a reminder and a demonstration of the powerful weapon the word of God is.
Probably, the most affirming reminder of just how powerful of a weapon the sword of the Spirit is in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joint and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” This means this sword we, as God’s children, have been given is unlimited in energy. It is living; it will not rust and will never cease to serve. It doesn’t have a source of power outside itself that it is dependent on. It is ALIVE! It is the sharpest weapon and will never grow dull. By this, it tells me there is not a situation or enemy that I can face that it can’t cut through or pierce. Because of the discerning power the word of God provides, it will equip me and aid me in getting to the very heart of what battle I am facing. At the same time, the sword of the Spirit continues to train me as a soldier and serves to keep my motives in battle pure before God.
All this talk of armor and battle can be difficult to relate to in a culture falsely promoting “why can’t we just all be friends?” when it attempts to disarm us from the security and peace of mind God offers us. We are by God’s very call to be peacemakers. If we are not careful, peace at any price and a desire to be accepted can lull us into laying down our sword and enter into negotiations with an enemy who, by nature, is a liar and a deceiver. This results in facing battles in life like disappointment, grief, rejection, even betrayal, and doubt, without the power God’s word can bring us in the heat of battle.
The faithfulness of God that is found, promised, affirmed, and demonstrated in His word can be the difference in survival for even the most spiritually fit. Proclaiming His faithfulness and love is like drawing the sword. Claiming God’s promises strikes deadly blows to the lies of the evil one. Lies like if God really cared for me, I wouldn’t be facing this. Or no good can ever come from these circumstances. Trusting in His deliverance promised in His word can silence the enemy and drive him away. Using the sword of the Spirit, I can cut through the darkness on any battlefield, knowing the word made flesh, Jesus, the light of the world, illuminates the night, bringing the promise of a new day.
Being a good soldier doesn’t mean as God’s very own, we are to get up every day and go looking for the next fight. However, it does mean we are to be a highly trained regiment. Designed to be a peacekeeping force, ready at a moment’s notice to engage and defend the cause of Christ and others until heaven and earth are made new, and the war is over. This means metaphorically, my sword is always at my side. Every scripture I study, every promise I commit to memory, every truth that I cling to, and every instruction from God that I build my life on sharpens the sword for battle.
Lord, don’t let me be found with a dull blade, and should I die in battle, let them find me with the sword in my hand!
This concludes the series from Ephesians 6, “The Wardrobe, Putting on the Armor.” I continue to pray that God will inspire, lead, and use me as the 5 o’clock worker to help bring insight and hope for all of us who need to be reminded, “God’s word is the way through.” Come back to the vineyard where the next time the new series “Moments on the Mountain” begins.
5oclockworker.com 