What Is 6 The Sword Of The Spirit
What is the sword of the spirit?What purpose did the sword serve in the Roman army?The Roman gladius has become known as “the sword that conquered the world.” Adapted from a Spanish design, the skill of the gladius in close range combat made it a fearsome tool in the hand of a skilled Roman warrior. When sharpened, its dual edges wreaked havoc on their foes, while its tapered point could pierce through even heavy metal armour.
A Roman infantryman would go into battle armed with more than just hisgladius. He would also have a dagger (pugio), some soldierslalso use spears (pila) and lead-weighted darts (plumbatae), but the sword was his main means of attack. The sword is the only weapon Paul lists as part of the Christian arsenal.The sword of the spirit is mentioned in Ephesians 6:17:
“take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
This sword is the last piece of armour Paul describes in talking about the armour of God and is the only offensive weapon described. Scripture tells us that the sword of the spirit is the word of God. But what exactly is the word of God, and why is it an effective sword?Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.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.(Illustrate a dark room and the benefit of having a light)John 17:1717 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.God’s Word is truth, plain and simple. We can have perfect confidence in the fact that His words are accurate, true and certain. When followed, it guide us without fail in the paths that we need to walk.
We can be destroyed by the lack of the knowledge of God Hosea 4:66 My people are being destroyed because they don't know me.├ö├ç┬¬├ö├ç┬¬..Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.But God says in His word that we will be blessed if we hear and keep the Word of God Luke 11:2828 Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."And the knowledge is not just for us. We are to be ready to answer others who ask us 1 Peter 3:1515 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.The word of God refers to God’s written Word, the incarnate Word and, His spoken word. And for Jesus as Logos; Logosis the Greek term translated as "word," "speech," "principle," or "thought." In Greek philosophy, it also referred to a universal, divine reason or the mind of God.) We see that in:John 1:1-14Christ, the Eternal Word In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He existed in the beginning with God.3 God created everything through him,and nothing was created except through him.4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,( Or and nothing that was created was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything.) and his life brought light to everyone.Here it is clear that the "Word" or Logos is a reference to Jesus Christ.-Jesus is eternal ("In the beginning was the Word")-Jesus was with God prior to coming to earth ("the Word was with God")-Jesus is God ("the Word was God.")-Jesus is Creator ("All things were made through him")-Jesus is the Giver of Life ("In him was life")-Jesus became human to live among us ("the Word became flesh and dwelt among us")Lets carry on from verse 55 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.(Or and the darkness has not understood it.)6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.14 So the Word became human(Greek became flesh.) and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.(Or grace and truth) And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
For us, this means that the best offense in spiritual warfare is the truth of the Bible, the reality of our salvation in Christ, and what the Holy Spirit reveals to us
John 14:16-17, 2616 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,( Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete also in 14:26) who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.]We are told that the Bible is God-breathed
We also know that when God breathes, life comes into existence Genesis 2:7
7 Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.
The Word of God is powerful. He created all things out of nothing by simply speaking.
We are told in Isaiah 55:10-11 that God’s Word does not return void.
10 "The rain and snow come down from the heavensand stay on the ground to water the earth.They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmerand bread for the hungry.11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.God’s Word is truth and in His Word there is great power.Why a sword?
Hebrews 4:12 says
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.The all-powerful sword of the living God is able to cut through every defence 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 2Timothy 3:16-1716 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.2 Corinthians 10:4-54 We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.Unlike all other pieces of the armour of God, which are solely defensive, the sword is uniquely suited for both defensive and offensive roles. A solid defence is invaluable, but the sword is the only way we can complete the work we have been given to do.Swords are used for close combat, not long-range warfare. Could this imply the nature of the battle a Christian fights?Acts 14:2222 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.James 1:2-42 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
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 journeys as Christians. 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.”
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.
The sword can also be used as a defensive weapon to protect us from the lies of the enemy.
Satan is the “father of lies”
John 8:44
44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies
When we know the truth, we are able to defend against his lies. Jesus demonstrated this use of Scripture during His desert temptationto counter Satan’s attacks
Luke 4:1-13 and also in Matthew 4:4, 7, 10Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,[a] 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.3 Then the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread."
4 But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.'(Deut.8.3 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.)"
5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 "I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them," the devil said, "because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me."8 Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say,'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'(Deuteronomy 6:13 You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.)9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say,'He will order his angels to protect and guard you.11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'We find that in( Ps 91:11-1211 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.)12 Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God.'And that is written in( Deut 6:16.You must not test the Lordyour God as you did when you complained at Massah.)"13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.Each time Satan tempted Jesus, He responded with the truth of Scripture.We must also learn to not just live "by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4The sword is also used defensively in the way it assures us of our salvation. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we know the ultimate victory belongs to God. Jesus as the incarnate Word has conquered our enemy
Hebrews 2:14-15And the Bible, the written Word, declares it to be so.14 Because God's children are human beings-made of flesh and blood-the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[a] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to us. Jesus explained in John 16:13-1513 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.
The Holy Spirit gives us power and reveals truth to us2 Timothy 1:13-1413 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me-a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
He dwells in us and is our defender in spiritual warfare.In order to use a sword to its fullest effect, a soldier must be trained with it. We, too, should be trained in the word of God. This is why memorizing Scripture and cultivating a sensitivity toward the Holy Spirit are important. If we do not know the way our sword works, it will do us little good in battle.
What promises can we stand on?Matthew 24:13But he who endures to the end shall be saved.Romans 8:31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?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:Isaiah 46:11“Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).
A sword needs to be sharpened if it is to remain useful-and it certainly won’t sharpen itself. Set aside some time every day for regular Bible study. Pick a topic you don’t know as well as you’d like or a character trait you would like to improve and delve into it. Through continuous practice, we will keep our blades razor sharp and always be ready to defend the hope that lies within us.So take up your sword. The battle is ours.Apply Now