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 sixth element in the Believer’s Spiritual Armor is the SWORD of the Spirit. The Scripture leaves no question as to what the Sword of the Spirit is – the WORD of God: “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of God” (Eph.6:17). The other articles of Armor are essentially defensive. Being properly equipped and protected is basic. Possessing all the foregoing armor would give the warrior assurance, confidence, and a sense of adequacy and preparedness for battle. But the soldier is not sent merely to hold his own and survive. He has in mind overcoming the enemy – being victorious. He therefore is given an offensive, sure, time-tested, and unfailing weapon. God’s Word can be both an offensive and defensive weapon.

The Sword of the Spirit is the weapon that our Grand Commander used against the Tempter in the wilderness. “It is written” declared the Master, in response to Satan’s temptations. Effectively wielding the Sword of the Spirit, our Lord overcame the enemy (Mt.4: 1-11; Lk.4: 1-14). However, applying God’s Word as the Sword of the Spirit is much more than quoting Scripture. Even the devil could quote Scripture. The Word of God becomes a sharp two-edged sword when it is released with power. When Jesus taught, “they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority” (Lk.4:32). A similar testimony was recorded about the apostles: “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Peter and John used that sword at the Beautiful gate (Acts 3:6).

That the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God means that the Spirit always acts in harmony with the Word of God. Practically, the Word released in power cuts in pieces Satan’s snare, destroy the enemies’ strongholds and brings him to surrender: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” (Rev.12:11a). You must know how to boldly say what God says about you: “So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb.13:6). The Word of God is a mighty instrument and powerful weapon of warfare. God shaped creation through the agency of His Word: “by faith we understand that the  worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb.11:3). Any believer who wants to be strengthened for battle must therefore be very conversant with God’s Word.

You must be skilled in wielding the Sword of the Spirit. There is no situation you are in, and no battle you are fighting, that you will not get an appropriate Word of God or Word from God, to apply. That’s the reason for the many injunctions in the Bible relating to the right attitude towards God’s Word. For example: “Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col.3:16). In the absence of the Word, the Spirit is weapon-less! You need to take the Sword – the Word – and hand it over to the Spirit…Now! The Sword of the Spirit in the believer’s mouth goes all out to overcome every appearance of evil, nullify all lies of the devil, dispel every atmosphere of darkness, and prevail over every storm of death or destruction.

Jehovah – the Man of war – would have you carry the Sword of the Spirit. As a defensive weapon, the Word protects us. As an offensive weapon, the Sword breaks through the enemy’s garrisons and makes way for our callings and destinies. As the Lord Jesus proved in the wilderness temptation, the Devil can never withstand the Sword of the Spirit – the Word!