Swordsmanship 101

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Take the . . .  sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

   I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women; but I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college course is more valuable than a college course without the Bible.

-- William Lyons Phelps

1.
Respecting The Weapon

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

[1] (Hebrews 4:12)

Ill. – Elaine was quickly acquainted with the power of a twelve gauge shotgun and in a hurry, gained appreciation for the it’s “destructive” potential.

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.[2] (Isaiah 55:11)

[     It is the original light saber. 

129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:129-133 (NIV)

[     Not human in origin. – “so is my Word that goes out from my mouth”

[     Carries Divine Purpose - We are more effective with the sword of the Spirit when we realize that the Word has a power that other “words” do not carry.  It serves the purposes of God when it goes forth. 

I may preach on a Sunday AM and there may be specific meaning and intent in the scripture that I use but God may speak through it in a thousand different ways.  Most likely he is doing that right now.

This called personal application.  God will use His Word to soften hearts and cause us to listen to the voice within us which echoes His own voice.  We are created in His own likeness and as much as there is a voice in us which causes us to stray from His will there is that within which wants to please Him and to be in harmony with His will.

[     Guaranteed Return

2. Mastering The Technique

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. [3] (2 Timothy 3:12-17)

You have an ability to carry the Word of God and let God work through it to speak freely top people.  On the other hand you can carry it like a club and the message can be obscured by your boorishness.  You can be persecuted for Christ’s sake or you can be persecuted juts because you bring it upon yourself.

[     You can’t be proficient with the Word if you just pick it up occasionally.  A preacher was invited to this outstanding church in view of a call.  They were trying to impress him and they said, "Whatever you want, just ask."

He said, "Well, I'd like to visit the Sunday School in the morning."

They said, "Oh, we have the best Sunday School with the finest teachers.  The Director of Church Education is well prepared and the students are really into the Word."

The Preacher said, "Well, I'd like to visit around."  So they took him to the adult department and he said, "That's fine." Then they went to the youth and to the junior boys and he said, "I'd like to ask a question."

"Well just ask, these students can take care of any question you want to ask."

"All right, boys.  Who tore down the walls of Jericho?"

One bright student said, "I didn't."

The preacher said fine.  When they got outside, the trustee said, "Now pastor, I know these boys very well and they all have good parents and if that boy said he didn't tear down that wall....  See we have basic honesty and integrity in this church and we want you to know that you're coming to a fine church."

So after the sermon, the trustee said, "Now brother, we've just had a meeting and we understand that there is a problem about some walls... and we don't want you to be burdened... and we just voted that whoever tore them down... we voted to build them back."

[     The word must first be diligently applied to our own lives.

[     It must be delivered with the right attitude.  A person who cannot love others has no place swinging this sword freely.  It communicates arrogance and self-righteousness and drives people away from God. 

[     Serves a different purpose in the lives of Christians and non-Christians

[     Not to be a source of debate between brothers

[     No need to study formally to understand the Word but there is admonition that we must study to preach it.

[     Usually we direct the scripture toward the behaviors of people when these are most often symptomatic of a greater problem.  We’d better apply the truth to the problems within us which manifest themselves in behavior.

3. Rules Of Engagement

How do I know when to wield the sword?

There are times when the Word is best “fleshed” out.

[     Spiritual Development – I am fairly simplistic in this regard but I believe that we need to become comfortable with the Word by handling it frequently, habitually, openly.  Often people are clumsy with it simply because they don’t have it in their hands often enough.

[     Self-defense – when I am being prevailed against.  There are attacks that are perhaps, purely spiritual and times when what is taking place within us is merely emotional or physical.  How do I know the difference?

Often I find myself accused, confused by the devil.  He jumps on the backs of my failures and the times when I disobey God or the times when I fail to obey and he rubs my nose in the whole experience.  At these times I remind him of God’s commitment to my life and my eternal well-being.

[     Seeking Direction -

[     Stop Deception - Without adequate investment in a person’s life it is ineffectual.[4]

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[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Heb 4:12-13). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[2]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Is 55:11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[3]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (2 Ti 3:12-17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[4] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.