The Transformational Power of ScriptureExemplo

The Word is a sword

My friend Ben realized that he had forgotten his Bible when we were a state and a half away from home. In the flurry to pack up and hit the road for a Christian conference, we had pulled out of his driveway with his Bible-containing backpack sitting on the front porch.

To me, it didn’t seem like a big deal, since we would be home within three days. To Ben, however, a Bible-less start to the week was a big problem.

Looking back, I can see Ben’s point. According to the apostle Paul, you and I are in a spiritual war against the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature, an invisible struggle that involves flaming arrows being fired at our very souls. No wonder Ben wanted a sword in this fight.

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16,17).

Imagine, for a moment, hand-to-hand combat without a sword. A helmet and shield would help, to be sure, but it’s hard to win a fight without a sword. Thank God that the Spirit inspired one.

The Bible is the way we battle for God’s blessings. When the devil swings his sword of shame at our throats, we raise the Bible and quote, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). When that ancient accuser plunges the sharpened point of my-truth-your-truth-there-is-no-truth at our hearts, we parry the blow and say, “[God’s] word is truth” (John 17:17). When the father of lies declares we are too far gone for God, we decapitate the deceiver with a Braveheart-esque cry, “It is by grace [we] have been saved!” (Ephesians 2:8).

Ben was no fool to fidget without his Bible. Neither are you. Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and stand your ground today.