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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The meaning and significance of the sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12  "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Today's post features a particular description of God's Word that aptly describes the work of the Spirit through the scriptures in the lives of people. We oftentimes view the Bible as a static object that sits on a coffee table or that is in a pew rack at church, not realizing that its very words are God's voice verbalized in pen and ink. The Apostle Paul defines the piece of the spiritual armor called "the sword of the Spirit" as the Word of God. Henceforth this post will be all about unfolding the significance behind the meaning of this title: "sword of the Spirit". To aid us in unpacking the meaning of this term in Ephesians 6:17, we will enlist Hebrews 4:12 and other scriptures that speak on the subject of the word of God being the sword of the Spirit. 

The meaning and significance of the sword of the Spirit 
Hebrews 4:12-13 states - "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." The sword of the Spirit that is explicitly stated to be the Word of God in Ephesians 6:17 is explained in full measure in Hebrews 4:12-13. How the scriptures function to convert souls and change lives is remarkably explain in this passage and others. Let's note what the passage has to teach us about the "sword of the Spirit, the Word of God":

1. The Bible is a living book that is active. 
Hebrews 4:12 begins - "For the word of God is living and active....". The Bible operates by the Spirit's working as a real live person. As one preacher has noted: it has hands that grab me, feet that pursues me, lungs that puts breath in me, eyes that watch me, ears that hears me and God's mind that discerns me. Now this idea of the Bible being a living book may sound unusual, however consider Proverbs 6:20-23 "My son, observe the commandment of your fatherAnd do not forsake the teaching of your mother; 21 Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life." Also regard 1 Thessalonians 2:13 "
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but forwhat it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."

2. The Bible is a cutting book that penetrates. 
Hebrews 4:12 continues - "...and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow...". When Roman soldiers fought in a war, they did not swing their swords like how we see soldiers with swords in the movies. The Romans actually looked down on other nations whose soldiers faught in suh a manner. Rather, the two-edged sword was a weapon of precision that was wielded with quick forward thrusts. When the sword pierced an opponent, it would cut down into the interior parts. 

The language of warfare is certainly used here in Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17. We also see a second kind of language, namely the language of ritual and sacrifice. If one were to read through the first seven chapters of Leviticus, the priest's preparation of the sacrifices would be recognized as cutting through "joints and marrow". Hence, the word of God's function as a cutting book that penetrate (i.e a sword), points to how it at times can be all out war for our heart. Likewise, its cutting action, taken from the realm of ritual sacrifice in the Old Testament, points to how it guides us to the Lamb of God, our eternal High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. So as the sword of the Spirit, the Bible is a living, active book and a cutting, penetrating book. However, notice a third main function:

3. The Bible is a discerning book that unveils hidden things
The remainder of Hebrews 4:12-13 finishes out as follows - ...."and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Whenever you read in the book of Revelation about Jesus wielding a sharp two-edged sword in his church (Revelation 1:16; 2:16) or over the nations (Revelation 19:15), reference is being made to His omniscient discernment as the Lord and Judge of all men. The written Word of God functions similarly to the Living Word - the Lord Jesus Christ. I have witnessed either in the pews of a Sunday morning crowd or in my own heart the unveiling of hidden things. Admittedly, it can be uncomfortable. Yet, by the scriptures I can deal most effectively with life because of the hidden potholes and blindspots that oftentimes cause me to get in trouble and become hindered in my walk with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 speaks on this point - "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so thethoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughtswith spiritual words."

Closing thoughts
Is it no wonder then that we need the scriptures, the sword of the Spirit? As we think once more about the meaning and significance of this title: "sword of the Spirit", we can note the three truths we learned today:
1. The Bible is a living book that is active.

2. The Bible is a cutting book that pentetrates. 

3. The Bible is a discerning book that unveils hidden things