Encouragements

The Sword of the Spirit

July 31, 2025 /

The Sword of the Spirit

I have looked through the Armor of God in the last few months and left only the Sword of the Spirit.

I have heard many examples of why the Word of God is considered like a sword, and I do not doubt that each one is applicable. I like the image of the Word of God being likened to a short Roman sword that could be used to excise arrows that had made it through defenses – as indeed God’s word has power over the poisonous words of our enemy. The word of God is a great tool of defense against lies, as truth is a great tool to diminish the power of a lie. A sword can be used in offence too, and on occasion, we meet with enemy strongholds that must be brought down. The word of God has power and authority that is rarely found in the voice of the believer alone.

In each example, there is an element missing. The Spirit.

The bible is not just our sword, but the sword of the Holy Spirit. The word of God, the Bible is more than a remarkable text. Yet to those who are not saved, it is perceived as mere words on a page. Even in Christ, we may read the word of God and read verses that seem to be true but have no impactful resonance in our lives in that moment. And then – God speaks through a passage and everything seems different in a way that seems to change things forever. That was the Logos (Bible) and the Parakletos (Holy Spirit) working as one.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

The Bible is the absolute truth. But, without the Holy Spirit, one can never receive it fully. The Spirit of God echoes the words spoken by an eternal God inside of us. Words spoken outside of time resound in our hearts in a living way that is absolutely unique to any other form of word. The Holy Spirit turns logos (intelligible words) into Rhema (living words).

“ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14

This is why I believe the word of God is called the sword OF THE SPIRIT. 

We do not wield the sword alone. We do not guide it, nor are we the source of its power and truth. It is only as we play our part in the mission of God on earth – wielding a sword in offence and defense against an enemy that would seek to hinder our path and see our mission fail – the mission we were commissioned to do by Christ himself.

The Sword of the Spirit is the word of God that teaches us and reveals to us who God is, in a personal way – including his nature and his ways. It is a scalpel in the hand of the master surgeon that circumcises our heart, heals us and cleans our mind, training us to fight the good fight and finish the long race well. It is the promises of God that we can hold to and stand against a foe that would see our reward diminished. It is our declaration of truth, peace, love and hope – that as we speak the Word, we join God in speaking the same Word. It is the fire of God that ignites our hearts and draws us onward despite opposition and desolation. It is the defender of truth and purity.

As we wield the Sword, the Sword wields us, and reveals the nature of God to all those around – that we may awaken hearts and bring life to others who otherwise are dead.

Read your bible often. It is the pathway to maturity and strength – and as you speak the words, know God speaks them with you. 

The Sword of the Spirit finishes the Armor of God – it is the piece that we should wield to great effect, the more we know it and live by its truth in our lives. A sword needs training, of course; no warrior was born a swordsman and to wield it to effect, we must become students of it.