Ephesians 6:16-17
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God …”
The book of Hebrews goes even deeper into the metaphor of the Word as the sword of the Spirit: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
The Word of God is not a mere book. It is not simply words on a page. It is Spirit-inspired, and therefore dynamic and powerful. It is “living and active” as this Hebrews passage says, and it cuts through our attempts to hide or rationalize. The bible is the only book that when you read it, the Author is always present. The Lord uses the Word to penetrate deep into our lives, reaching places within us that we fear to go. The Word exposes “the thoughts and intentions of the heart” and calls us to be completely honest and open before God.
The Lord uses the Word to cut to the heart of what is most important. The Lord uses the Word to speak truth into our life. However, he does not force his Word on us. We must choose to submit. We must invest the time to read, study, reflect, and pray. The Spirit prompts, moves, and convicts, but He does not force. He has given us the gift of choice, and he wants us to choose Him.
The message in Hebrews 4 is that the sword of the Spirit is not only for fighting external battles with the devil; it is also for fighting internal battles with yourself. With your old nature. With the part of you that enjoys sin. With your deepest thoughts and intentions. God invites you into a relationship with himself, and when you respond to that invitation he will leave no part of your life untouched. God invites you to follow him all the time in everything.
This is the message of Psalm 119.9-11: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
In fact, all of Psalm 119 is about the Word in the life of God’s people. Here are some excerpts:
Focus on the Word and delight in it.
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word … for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.” (Psalm 119, 15-16, 47)
Ask the Lord to enlighten you and give you insight into his Word.
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law … Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart … Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” (Psalm 119.18, 34, 144)
Meditate and reflect on the Word. Daily.
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119.97)
Let the Word enlighten you and direct your life.
“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies … Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119.59, 105)
Treasure the Word above all things.
“Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” (Psalm 119.127)
Fully embrace the Word as truth. Obey it’s commands. Not just some of it; all of it.
“I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments … The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (Psalm 119.60, 160)
The Lord has given us his Word. It is the sword of the Spirit that gives us victory against the enemy. It is our responsibility to study and obey the Word; to write it on our hearts; to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly so that his truth guides the way we live and work.
May we hear the voice of the Lord and obey. May we allow the sword of the Spirit to pierce us and transform us.
