Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
Ephesians implores us to hold fast to the Sword of the
Spirit. But what does that mean and how can we apply this to our everyday
lives? The sword referred to in Ephesians is not a physical weapon. It
represents the Word of God, the Bible. It is the only offensive piece of armour
in the full armour of God. This means it is not only used for defence, but for
attacking the enemy – the lies and deceit that try to overthrow our faith.
Just as a soldier holds fast to his sword during battle, we
too must clutch steadfastly onto the word of God in our times of testing. We
live in an unpredictable world filled with challenges and temptations. The
enemy is always lying in wait, hoping for a moment of weakness to slip in and
cause havoc in our lives.
But dear ones, do not be afraid. For just as the soldier
trusts his sword, so we too should trust in the Word of God. It is important
that we immerse ourselves in the scriptures, honing our skills, and sharpening
our spiritual sword. This does not mean merely reading the Bible, but deeply
understanding and living its tenets.
Remember, God's word is alive. Each verse, each promise,
each command has the power to penetrate our hearts and challenge our thoughts
and attitudes. Holding onto the sword of the Spirit means not only
acknowledging the power of God's word, but allowing it to transform our lives
from the inside out.
It is not enough to just read God's word; we must live it.
We should be doers of the word and not just listeners. This is the daily
sharpening of our sword. Our faith is not a passive acceptance but an active
obedience to the word of God.
We cannot carry the sword of the Spirit in one hand and the
weapons of the world in the other. Holding fast means letting go of everything
else. It means putting God's word above our feelings, pride, ambitions.
It means choosing to trust God's word even when everything else is uncertain.
Dear brethren, your sword — the word of God — is
your strength. Hold fast to it. Never let it go. Wear it close to your heart
and let it guide your actions. Let the word of God be your standard of truth in
a world full of lies. Stand on the promises of God and wield your sword with
confidence.
Beloved, I encourage you to hold fast to your sword. Keep it
sharp with constant use, keep it clean through prayer and confession, and keep
it ready for battle. May the word of God light your path, strengthen your
resolve, and empower you to face whatever comes your way.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. May
He fortify you with the strength to hold fast to the Sword of the Spirit. In
all things, may you find comfort and courage in the unfailing promises of His
word.