Time to Play Offense: How to Wield the Sword of the Spirit
The very last piece of armor that we are instructed to bring with us into battle is our primary offensive weapon, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17).”
What do we know about the Word of God?
- The Word and God are one and the same.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1
In John 1:1 we read, “and the Word was God.” This means that the Word of God is part of Him. We also read that “the Word was with God.” It is never separate from Him.
- We hear the Word of God through scripture.
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. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Because all scripture is inspired by God, it is through the use of those who recorded the scripture that He speaks to us—hence, the Word of God.
- The Word of God is truth.
As we read in John 17:15 when discussing the belt of truth, the Word is truth.
- We also know that the Word of God is timeless.
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. – Isaiah 40:8
Because the Word is part of God, it existed before time began. It still exists. It will continue to exist. It exists forever and is never irrelevant.
- God’s Word is unfailing.
For the word of God will never fail. – Luke 1:37
- The Word of God gives life.
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4
The Word of God does not give us an earthly body in which we will live forever, but it gives us spiritual life. For it is by the Word of God that we learn of Jesus and His life. It is by the Word of God that we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior—that we learn and grow closer in relationship to Him. And it is through this relationship with Jesus Christ that we gain eternal life.
- The Word of God frees us
And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. – 2 Timothy 2:9
Because the Word of God is part of God—because it gives life and truth and is unfailing, it cannot be chained. It cannot be broken. This is why we are to use the Word of God as our sword.
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.
Fighting with the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—is like fighting with Andúril, the sword wielded by Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. Andúril, having been reforged from the broken pieces of the sword used by his ancestors, is given to Aragorn by the elves of Rivendell as he sets off to accompany Frodo on his journey to destroy the ring of power. Later in the storyline, Aragon is also presented with a sheath for Anduril, made by the Galadhrim (elves of mixed descent). An enchantment on the sheath makes it impossible for the sword drawn from it to be stained or broken, causing Andúril to be virtually indestructible.
While God’s Word and truth doesn’t necessarily have on it what we would call an “enchantment,” what we do know is that God’s Word can never be stained. It can never be broken. The sword—the Word—itself holds the power of God because it is part of God and because it comes from God. It’s indestructible.
And it is truly alive and powerful. It exposes our thoughts and desires, convicting us to do as God calls us to do. It is the best weapon we have to use in defense when Satan attacks us with his lies that we are unqualified or too small or too insignificant. Recall verses that you have learned and all that you have studied that teaches you that you are not too small or unqualified for what God calls you to do. Use what you learn about Jesus every day to fight offensively against Satan.
Remember to put on each piece of armor and fight the best of your ability. The war is not over.