“Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:159-160).
A love for God’s word is characteristic of the true Christian. It is what animates him. What guides him in his every step on the earth. Why? As the Psalmist stated, “The entirety of your word is truth…”
In the New Testament, the word of God is referred to as the sword of the Spirit. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). As Paul states in this context, it is a part of the Christian’s armor, the purpose of which is to enable the Christian “to stand against the wiles of the devil” (6:11). Together with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith and the helmet of salvation, we are equipped as a soldier of the Lord. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (6:13).
It is a fact, and one that we must acknowledge, that the word of God is supplied by the Holy Spirit. These are not the words of mere men, but come from God Himself. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, inspiring servants to write truth leading to the salvation of all men. For example the apostle Paul affirmed in 1 Corinthians 6:7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom of God ordained before the ages for our glory.” In explaining how this is, Paul continued in 6:10-11, “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” So, as some seek to do today, separating the Spirit from the sword (the word of God) dishonors God, and dishonors the means He has chosen to direct men to salvation!
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Noting that the Bible is the product of Divine inspiration, and equips us in our obedience to God, we might ask how this occurs. Simply put, God chose through written information to supply man with needed truths to please Him. Rather than thinking faith is mere superstition, devoid of reason or logic, we affirm with Paul, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
What does the Sword of the Spirit reveal about its own working? First, that it cuts to the heart, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This is practically seen in Luke’s narrative in Acts 2:37, Peter preached the inspired gospel to the Jews on Pentecost, revealing they were guilty of crucifying the Son of God: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37). On this occasion the impact of the truth of God brought godly sorrow, leading to repentance (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10). In fact, on that day 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41). On other occasions people refused the truth (cf. Acts 7:54), but it always pierces “even to the division of the soul and spirit.”
Second, it defeats error. With this spiritual weapon, we cast “down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The truth never need fear when given free reign against religious error. When people with a good heart reason, they can understand God’s revelation to man. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).
Third, it defends God’s people from sin and temptation. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3). As noted in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it is what equips us to every good work. Our knowledge of God’s will lead us to obedience, and away from error and sin. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 119:11-1).
One note in conclusion: A Christian who is unskilled in wielding the Spirit’s sword will not be equipped to stand against the devil. As the Psalmist said, “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalms 119:133).
Source material: a sermon outline by Joe Price, The Spirit’s Sword (12/18)
