The Sword That Cuts Both Ways

Every piece of armor so far has been for protection. Belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet. Now Paul hands you something that cuts. “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Roman legionaries carried a short sword, the gladius, built for close fighting. Paul's word here is machaira, a common word for a sword. Don't build too much on the exact kind of blade. The point is whose sword it is. It is the sword of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave the word, He makes it powerful, and He puts it in your hand.

Hebrews tells you what kind of sword it is. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” This is not an old book on a shelf. It is alive. It reaches places no surgeon can. “It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Before God's word ever cuts the enemy, it cuts you. It exposes motives you didn't know you had.

That can be scary. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” If the passage ended there, we would all run and hide. But it doesn't end there. The writer turns right away to Jesus, our great high priest. The same God who sees everything has given us a Savior who understands everything.

Watch how Jesus used the sword. He was led into the wilderness, forty days without food, and He was hungry. The devil came at Him right where He was weak. “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus didn't argue. He didn't debate. He quoted Scripture. “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Three times in that wilderness He answered with the written word, and in the end the devil left Him.

If Jesus took up the sword, how much more do you need it? But here is the catch. You can't swing a sword you don't have. If the only Scripture you know is the verse on your coffee mug, you'll be swinging at air when temptation comes. Read it. Learn it. Memorize some of it. Let it get into you, so the Spirit can bring it back to your mind when you need it.

Then Hebrews gives the comfort. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.” Jesus knows what the wilderness felt like. He knows what Tuesday night temptation feels like. He never gave in. And because He never gave in, He could offer Himself as the spotless sacrifice for those of us who have.

So the sword doesn't drive you away from God. It drives you to Him. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” When the word cuts you, run to the throne. You will find mercy for yesterday and grace for today. Then pick up the sword and go.