Why did Paul relate the Word of God to a sword? If you think about this; when a person becomes a child of God through rebirth they enter a battle. Swords were very important in a literal battle and in spiritual battles the Sword of the Spirit is also very important.
When they fought wars in bible times there were different swords used, one was a shorter double-edged sword that was very sharp and could do a lot of damage. It worked well in close combat. The sword that Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:17, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” is also a weapon used in a spiritual battle. Paul related the Sword of the Spirit to the Word of God. I think everyone knows the damage a sharp two edge sword can do, it can penetrate the body, cutting through most anything that gets in its way.
Read what it says in Hebrews 4:12 about the spiritual sword, God’s Word, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” This gives us a little better understanding of the importance of the Word as a weapon for every believer if they expect to be overcomers in this battle that they enlisted in.
It is so important that we study the Word and hide it in our hearts so that the Holy Spirit can bring the Word back to our minds when we need it. Let me relate one of many experiences I have had over the years walking with the Lord, when I needed the Word in the situation. Years ago, with the Lord’s help, I had the privilege of leading a man to the Lord. As time went on I would go visit this man and we would talk about the Lord among other things. One time I went to visit this man at night, something I hadn’t done before. When I went to the door it was pretty dark in the house and no one came to the door so I started to walk back down the stairs when I heard a noise behind me so I turned around and there he was standing at the door, crying. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. When I walked into the house I was speechless. Here was a very big, tough guy that was a bar brawler at one time, weeping, and like I said, I was so shocked I couldn’t think of anything to say. We walked into his front room and sat down and I silently prayed that the Lord would help me and give me something to say to this man. Almost immediately words started pouring from my mouth, words of encouragement and help which penetrated the man’s heart and mind. Then he opened his hand and revealed the pills he was about to take to do away with himself. In time the problem was taken care of, praise the Lord, and He was happy again. I thank the Lord for putting the desire in my heart to study His Word and to memorize some of it so that His Spirit could bring it back when I needed it.
The Bible also says this about God’s Word in Jeremiah 23:28-29, “‘Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my Word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?’ declares the LORD. ‘Is not my Word like fire,’ declares the LORD, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’” The Word of God here is symbolized three different ways; grain, fire and hammer. Grain feeds and nourishes, fire tests each man’s work and a hammer and sword which is symbolic of the Word judges the attitudes and thoughts of the heart.
Paul encourages every believer to put on the whole armor of God and we shouldn’t start a day without it. We won’t be ready to battle against the enemy of our souls without our armor on. Today I thought I would stress how important the Sword of the Spirit is and how we need to be studying and reading it. I hope if it isn’t a priority in your life, it will be after reading this. God bless and have a great day!!
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