Where's Your Sword?

This past Sunday we wrapped up our series "Weapons". There was no better way to close this series than to look at the weapons we have at our disposal to fight this fight against our Enemy - you know, the one who would love nothing more than to "devour us". If you're unfamiliar with the Armor of God - especially if you're a Christ-follower - you need to get quickly and deeply acquainted with the resources at your disposal. Check out what God has given you in Ephesians 6:10-18.

I wanted to highlight - or maybe a better word is obsess over - one of these weapons, the "sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God". I think that a quick read often leaves people mistaken, thinking that the Holy Spirit is the sword. Not true. The Spirit of God empowers and equips us to USE this sword when it's in our hand. The sword is THE WORD OF GOD! The big question for you is, are you holding it in your grip? Is it strapped around you, ready to be drawn at any given moment to do battle with the Enemy? Where is your sword right now? Polished and ready....or rusting and collecting dust? Think about it. Contemplate the question in plain English: WHERE IS YOUR BIBLE?

Hebrews 4:12 takes Paul's description of this "sword" a step further and explains that "the Word of God is full of living power...sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are." This weapon is not simply for fending off the Enemy - it has business to take care of with US as well. This sword cuts deep into my heart and exposes me for who and what I really am. It opens my eyes and pulls back the veil and shows me where the Spirit of God needs to clean house and refine me. It's not only the weapon I need to fight the battle, it's the weapon the Lord uses to prepare, equip, and ready me for the fight. I cannot stand without it! And maybe this is why we find ourselves at times empty-handed, with our sword resting neatly on a shelf: we don't want to be exposed. Maybe it's not that we're unaware or ignorant to the Enemy, maybe it's US that we're not wanting to do battle with. Maybe we're just not ready to do the business we know the Lord has in store for us to actually ready us to stand up and fight. Is that you? Have you become your own worst enemy? If so, it's time to make a decision. Are you going to stay in the foxhole...or are you going to climb out and take a stand?

I believe that as you examine the Armor of God you will discover that if you are constantly carrying and handling this sword, the other pieces of armor will come naturally. They will simply fit. Period. So, what are you waiting for? Pick it up! It will change your life!

Dig Deeper:
Isaiah 40:7-8
Psalm 119:9-11
Matthew 4:4
1 Peter 5:8-9