Take up Your Sword

When it is time to do battle with the enemy, far too often the Christian neglects one of the greatest tools available to them.  In Ephesians Paul lists off the components of the "armor of God," wrapping up the list by urging believers to take up "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

While they have been usurped in modern conflicts by firearms and the like, in its day the sword was a formidable weapon.  In the hands of a skilled warrior a sword could be used to block or deflect an enemy's blow, and then turned right around and used to press one's own attack.  It served as both a handy defensive tool and also as a devastating offensive weapon.

For the Christian God's word works the same way.  And there was no mightier warrior to wield it than Jesus Christ himself.

Look at the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness.  Satan comes to him after he's been in the desert for forty days without food or water.  Talk about being in a position of perceived weakness!  So the devil is all over this opportunity and jumps right in with a challenge for Jesus to turn stones into bread.  Note Jesus' answer though.  Without missing a beat he parries (blocks) the devil's attack with his respons in Matthew 4:4: "It is written" followed by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3.

With the devil's second attack Jesus is ready with the same sort of response (verse 7): "It is written" followed in this case by parts of Psalm 91.

After the third attack Jesus has decided he's had enough, exclaims "Away with you Satan! For it is written..." and goes on the offensive with Deuteronomy 6:13.  At that point the devil is done and leaves, with Jesus standing there still sinless despite the enemy's best efforts.

Two things to note.  First, Jesus was ready.  The devil comes at him and he doesn't go, "Hold on, I remember reading something about this...oh yes, here it is...<ahem> It is written..."  No, he knew the word and he was ready to rock and roll when the challenge came.  Second, he demonstrates what James would later back up in his own letter: the word of God serves as both a defensive and offensive weapon all in one and the devil can't stand up against it.  James 4:7b "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

That is the awesome power of the word of God.  When the devil is trying to tempt him with lies and empty promises, Jesus is ready to counter that mes with truth, found in God's word.  And in the face of truth the "father of lies" doesn't have a leg to stand on and is readily driven away.

So what does this mean for you and me?  Time to take up our swords!  We need to get into the word daily, soaking up its truth until we are completely comfortable with its weight and balance and are capable of wielding it effectively.  This also means we need to memorize scripture.  The psalmist commented that he had "stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).  We would do well to do likewise.

So what are you waiting for?  Take up your sword!