Saturday, May 12, 2018

Weapon of Choice: The Word of God




For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, 
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 
Hebrews 4:12




The sixth piece of the armor of God that Apostle Paul talks about  is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Ephesians 6:17

How does a Roman soldier's sword help us understand how to use the Bible to win our spiritual battles? The sword is the only item listed by Apostle Paul that serves in an offensive capacity. Even if we have all the rest of the armor perfectly equipped, without our sword, we amount to little more than heavily armored moving targets.  The sword is the only weapon Apostle Paul lists as part of the armor of God.

Why a sword?

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 joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

The all-powerful sword of the living God is able to cut through every defense our enemy can raise—down to the very division of bone and marrow. When wielded by a servant of God, nothing can withstand its ability to cut straight to the core of a matter and uncover the truth. As soldiers in God's army, it is our responsibility and duty to use His Word to discern the truth and then follow it. When God's Word shows us something wrong in ourselves, we can use this spiritual weapon to "surgically" remove the offending thoughts and actions. 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Notice that Jesus Christ used the Bible to counter Satan's attacks (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). We must also learn to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" 

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Swords are used for close combat, not long-range warfare. Could this imply the nature of the battle a believer fights?

. . . strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2-4


The Romans relied in part on assailing their enemy from a distance with javelins and darts, but God does not give us that option as Christian soldiers. If we were able to fight our battles from a distance, we would never experience an actual trial.

At first glance, that might not seem like such a bad thing. But when we stop to consider that without trials, there is no growth, and without growth, we will not be able to enter God's Kingdom, we see that trials, however uncomfortable, are essential in our journey as believers. After all, the promises of Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26 and 3:5, 12 and 21 are given "to him who overcomes" and not "to him who remains as he is."

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 

Apostle Paul only lists one weapon because we only need one weapon: There is no enemy the Word of God, coupled with His Spirit, cannot defeat. And so, armed only with our sword, we step out to fight our enemies head-on. The struggle is real. It is immediate, and it is in front of us. Our future in God's Kingdom is on the line, and we take up the battle so that we may hold fast to the future He has promised us.

“. . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14

What is the Word of God?  Consider these scriptures in relation to the word of God:  

This is what King David said:

®     Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

When used at close range by a skilled soldier, the sword was a deadly weapon. Apostle Paul tells us that the sword represents the Word of God, the written picture of Jesus. He is the living version of everything God wanted to say to mankind. God’s Word is a powerful weapon against our enemy when it's used under the spirit's power and direction.

God's Word—the Holy Bible—illuminates. It reveals to us the good and the bad, the wise and the unwise. It is the ultimate tool in learning how to live the best possible life, free from the restraints of stumbling in darkness. 

God's Word is truth, plain and simple. We can have perfect confidence in the fact that His words are accurate, true and unerring. When followed, they guide us without fail in the path that we need to walk.


®     Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  John 17:17

We can be destroyed by lack of the knowledge of God 

®     My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.   Hosea 4:6

But we will be blessed if we hear and keep the Word of God 

®     But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11:28

And the knowledge is not just for us. We are to be ready to answer others who ask us 

®     But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:   1 Peter 3:15

This is what Matthew Henry says: 

"To the Christian armed for defense in battle, the apostle recommends only one weapon of attack; but it is enough, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. It subdues and mortifies evil desires and blasphemous thoughts as they rise within; and answers unbelief and error as they assault from without. A single text, well understood, and rightly applied, at once destroys a temptation or an objection, and subdues the most formidable adversary." 

The word of God is not only true it has the power to liberate us and gives us promises we can stand on:

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  Matthew 24:13

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31

We fight knowing the end of the story. Two of the many powerful and sure promises in God's Word tell us that if we remain dedicated to God and His Word, we will make it to the end, and we will be saved. There is no doubt in this statement. God's promises are as sure as the one He told Isaiah: 

"Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it" Isaiah 46:11

So take up your sword; the powerful word of God! 

He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver. Isaiah 49:2 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.  Hebrews 4:12-13

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  2 Corinthians 6:7


For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honour and sing for joy on their beds. May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.  Psalms 149:4-6

Unlike all other pieces of the armor of God, which are solely defensive, the sword is uniquely suited for both defensive and offensive roles. A solid defense is invaluable, but the sword is the only way we can complete the work we have been given to do.

God’s Word is the most powerful weapon against the enemy when it's used under the spirit's power and direction.




(Biblical Studies)

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