Our Identity in Christ, the Sword of the Spirit
Part 1 The Bible
Ephesians 6:17, “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
There are two ways to consider the idea of God’s word. This first is the scriptures as the author of Hebrews tells us.
Hebrews 4:12
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.
The other is that Jesus himself is the Word of God as John says.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
In the first sense, the scriptures or the Bible, is the revelation God has given us of himself and His plans for us. Having this knowledge is like having a sword in a sheath, a lot of potential but little effect. Using this knowledge correctly is the work of God’s soldiers.
Sticking with the martial metaphor, as soldiers we fight on three battlegrounds. We fight our own flesh, we fight for the church and we fight against the world.
2Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
My first or closest battle is my own heart. The pieces of my idea of myself that come from the world or my wounds or my pride that contradict what the Word says I am in Christ must be constantly battled.
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
We also strive to maintain the church in correct doctrine and practice. Using the Word of God as our rule we perpetuate the Faith faithfully.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
And the largest battleground is the unbelieving world around us. We are not called to fight unbelievers rather to fight against the lies of the devil that contradict belief.
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
What is this weapon the Lord has given us? In Psalm 119 the Psalmist extols the Word of God at length. Just the synonyms for the Word found in the Psalm are enlightening. He uses words like law, statutes, judgments, testimonies, ways, commands, precepts and etc. In the Bible we find narrative, history, law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, parables, letters, and apocalypse. God has given us a range of styles and approaches to provide a fuller understanding of His message to us.
We see wonderful examples of how this Sword is employed in Scripture. When tempted in the wilderness Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy to drive off the tempter.
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
On the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, Peter quotes from Joel and the Psalms to explain the coming of the Holy Spirit and the way of salvation.
Paul often references the Old Testament to illustrate his teaching.
Romans 3:9-10
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one”
A good familiarity with the Word and Spirit led discernment in its employment will transform us from victims of sin, death and hell into conquerors for the Kingdom of God.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
brotherpayne 