Where's My Sword?

By David Block

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians. 6:12).

Did you know that there is a war going on right now? No, I'm not talking about the Middle East, but about the war of the ages, the ultimate war between good and evil. This war is happening, whether you like it or not. Don't bother making protest signs or writing your congressman, because you are already amidst the fighting. As a Christian, you are already at the front lines. The missiles of the enemy are whizzing pass your ears and the shrapnel of their bombs is falling like rain on your head. Did you prepare for this fight?

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (Ephesians 6:14-17 )

It becomes obviously clear when you look around the battlefield that many people are not prepared. Some that claim to be our fellow soldiers are nothing more than a band of fools that have stumbled into the war and are running around naked in the middle of the field. These people are easy targets for the enemy and are quickly vanquished. They never took up the armor of God and some never had a clue as to what this armor even is. Some of our fellow combatants have forgotten to pick up one or more pieces of their armor and are now turning tail and running, because they realized that they are ill-equipped to take a stand. Then there are a group of soldiers that are trying to take a stand but are being slowly pushed back by the darts of the enemy. They're trying to fight the enemy, but they've forgotten one thing: their sword.

Stand therefore, having... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

This is an all too prevalent problem in the church today. Unarmed Christians are everywhere you look. The enemy keeps firing and they keep deflecting the blows, but there is no advancement. How can you fight back without a weapon? Many believers barely know that it rained forty days on Noah, let alone the doctrines of justification and the imputation of Christ's righteousness. There is no wonder that the American church is slipping back. We're trying to claim a hill held by an enemy with AK-47's, while our soldiers have only their bare hands. Common sense tells us that our soldiers are doomed.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Our sword, the living and active word of God, is better than any double-edged sword. Our sword does more damage than any weapon of the enemy. With the word we can cut through the flesh to the very division of the soul and spirit. With the sword of the Spirit we can expose the intentions of the heart and thoughts of the mind. Our sword is sharp and not dull like the religions and philosophies of this world. They are only replicas of the true sword and they are made with inferior materials. These fakes will all crumble under the power of the sword of the Spirit.

Why all the swordless Christians?

How can a Christian sit in a room where their Bible is lying gathering dust? If you know that the Bible is your only weapon, if you know that your life depends upon that book, if you know that the words in that $49.95 - leather bound - cross referenced in the center of the page - study notes on the bottom - Jesus red-lettered book - is the living and active, breathing and breathed out, pulsating with power, word of God... how can you leave it behind?

Fortunately, there are a few battalions left that are fully equipped. These are filled with soldiers who are fire-tested battle-hardened Christians. These soldiers have run into many battles and have fought victoriously. Their swords are sharper now than when they first enlisted, because they've been sharpened them against the Rock. Their full armor is not dented or rusted but shines with the glory of the Son. Out before them flies the flag of the Lion. Their ultimate goal, the prize that they fight for, is the holy mountain, Mt. Zion, the New Jerusalem. There they will be greeted by their commander with six sweet words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” He will lead them into the throne room of God and will acknowledge each one by name before the hosts of heaven and the Father himself.

These soldiers never forgot their sword. They studied, memorized, lived and breathed the Scriptures. They talked about the Bible as they walked along the road and when they lie down and rose up. They never let their sword grow rusty. No, like every good soldier they knew that they lived or died by their sword and so they treated it with respect and care.

The trumpet call echoes throughout the land. Will you answer the call with the full armor of God on? Will you fight as a soldier worthy of the name Christian? When the fiery darts strike your shield, when the Enemy rains blows down upon you, when your legs are weak with fatigue and your arms burn from the vibrations from your sword, will you “STAND”?