Take the sword of the Spirit, which is
the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6: 17) 

The all-powerful Word, the spoken and written word that speaks of the One
we serve. The Word is looked at here as a sword, a very powerful sword
that is used against the foe, a weapon that all who believe in the Son of
God have available to them.

The severity of the attack of Satan against the Word shows us its
importance. In this day and age the attack has come through very devious
ways. Years ago, everyone carried a Bible when the Church assembled
together. They would have what is called “assembly readings” where the
brother who felt led to minister would call out a portion of scripture
and the assembly would read it together. There was unity in these
readings, because everyone had the same Bible version. To not have your
Bible in hand was like losing a close friend or going about without a
shirt on. Today an alarming percentage of people who attend church
meetiugs are not carrying Bibles, for even if they would carry them, they
couldn’t find where the minister is reading, because he has a different
version.

The reasoning behind this seems to leave out the teaching of the Holy
Spirit. “I want to understand the Word.” It sounds innocent enough, but
it has led to many translations and private interpretations of scripture,
which is creating confusion.  I am not saying here that we should never
come under the teaching of other men or do no studying on our own, but we
must use carefulness and seek the Lord first. In man’s thirst for
knowledge he has left out the main ingredient or key to that which opens
the Word of God, the Holy Spirit. We don’t get down on our knees anymore
to seek Jesus by prayer for understanding; we go to another translation
or some other study guide. It is almost as though God’s Spirit is not
sufficient to reveal the truths of His Word. Very rarely do you find
people who allow the Word of God to speak to them. They are too busy
comparing words and in seeking an understanding which could very well be
apart from Christ.

I am not here to contend over what interpretation or translation is
right, but the war over words is one that will only divide and cause
unnecessary strife. It is too late to turn back the tide of false
versions and translations that gender strife, but beware lest you have
laid hold of a cheap imitation.

Hebrews 4:12 says this about the Word of God:

“The word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.”

That which God has spoken by His Holy Spirit is even more powerful than a
twoedged sword. A sword eventually becomes dull, but it is not so with
the Word of God. Notice that it is likened unto a twoedged sword. It cuts
both ways. It is not only a weapon used against the enemy, but it also
purifies and changes the inner being of the one who is using it. It
divides and is a discerner of a man’s life. Are you letting the Word of
God reign in your heart to where others benefit and come to a saving
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?
        
 We are told to take the sword of the Spirit, and to do that we must
allow the Word of God full reign in our daily walk. To embrace it and
make it our own through reading it, meditating on it, and by having it
before us at all times. One dear brother keeps a small testament at work
in his tool box. It is always there and always available for him to refer
to in speaking to others who do not believe. It is also a wonderful thing
to have when one is on break or lunch, for a few moments with our Lord
can be very precious.

In Psalm 119:11, David said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I may
not sin against thee.” The enemy would always seek to tempt us. Notice
how Jesus responds to Satan in the gospel of Matthew. He responds with
the Word of God. What turns away temptation is our embracing the Word so
that the Holy Spirit can bring it to our remembrance. When faced by that
which Jesus has spoken, the enemy is defeated. The sin loses its power
and attraction when the Word becomes rooted in our hearts and minds. The
greatest victories are won when we surrender to the truth and speak the
Word in love, and to truly take hold of a message, that message must be
shared with others to the glory of God.

The foundation upon which we stand is Jesus. The weapon that we use and
are being conformed by is the Word of God through the Holy Spirit. By
faith we believe not only in Jesus, but in the very words that He spoke.
This is the power of the spoken Word. It takes very little; it could take
just one scripture for the Holy Spirit to work in changing our lives.
During the time of my rebellion against God, one question echoed in my
heart and plagued me for days. “Where will you spend eternity: in heaven
or in hell?” Such a short sentence, and yet by a few words the work of
God was begun in my heart. We need to understand that the spoken Word is
that which will lead men to repentance, for it sets before them the
Christ.

Saints, we need to take heed and read the scriptures, to let them become
ingrained within our hearts so that they may shine forth in actions of
love for our Savior, to share it with others so that they may see the
salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Remember that the Word of God cuts
both ways in that all-powerful work of redemption and purification, and
in that process which conforms us to the image of Christ.  May we never
forsake it.   Amen!

 M. H. G.
     

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