Good morning! Today I am finishing up the Armor of God series. This is sharp stuff, sharper than any double-edged sword. I have to admit it is deeper than my little brain is able to go, yet simple enough for me to accept the truth of it and apply to my life.
Ephesians 6:12 & 17b niv
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Sharper than Any Double-Edged Sword
The Damascus Sword is considered one of the top five sharpest swords ever. Sharp enough to slice a falling piece of silk in half and strong enough to split stones without dulling. It was developed 2000 years ago in India. Can you imagine something being sharper and stronger than that? Okay, so you got it – it’s the sword of the Spirit.
Hebrews 4:12a niv
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.
Ironically, the same Greek word Paul uses for the word sword here is the same type of sword Peter used. Remember when Peter cut the ear of a Roman soldier off in trying to protect Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane? And the same type of sword that a Roman soldier would use in combat.
The sword mind you, is the first and only offensive weapon mentioned as a part of God’s armor. We are to be equipped with it as a part of our earth suits. Another worthy note – it wasn’t a long sword like you would see with a samurai. But rather it was a shorter one that is quick to pull out of the sheath. It also makes it easy and accurate to control.
There is Great Power in the Sword of the Spirit
Know that the Sword is very, very powerful. This makes it dangerous when used in the wrong way. I don’t believe you would give a two or three year old a sharp fillet knife and tell them to go play. Someone’s going to get hurt. Learning and knowing the word of God and growing to maturity takes time.
A baby Christian (two or three year old in Christ) who swings a sword wildly or carelessly about is liable to harm themselves or others. Improper, careless, or rebellious use of the Bible can do more harm than good. It can cause pain, harm, and spiritual damage when wrongly used.
As an offensive “weapon” the sword is meant to be used for you just as much as against the enemy. What I mean is, accurately speak the word of truth into your life, into your body, in to your day, into your children, spouse, loved ones. Speak it into all that you do. His sword is seen in our everyday life, in how we live and by what we speak.
The Armor 7 Edition – Complete with the Sword of the Spirit
I think of our earth suits, as Christians in that every-day-walking-around-kind-of-life, like that high end car with special features. Our earth suits (the bodies we live in while here on earth), if you have a personal relationship with Jesus (you’ve asked Him to forgive you of your sins and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior), has built in special features. We can call it, the Armor 7 Edition.
The package included in the Armor 7 Edition comes complete with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, fitted shoes for the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Then the package is made complete with a special wrap – wrapped in prayer (Eph. 6:18).
Challenge of the Day: The best offense is a great defense. Remember the words of St. Francis, “Use words when necessary.” Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power and after you have done everything, to stand. And when necessary, and with ease (because of your great defense…because of your armor) go on the offensive with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. So be it!
