You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Psalm 119:118 (NKJV)
Series: Standing Strong
I have a favorite knife stored in our kitchen block. This knife didn’t come with the knife set. I bought it separately, carefully considering its features. It fits my hand perfectly; the length provides good leverage; the blade is sturdy; and the sharpness is just right for multiple cutting tasks.
My husband razzes me about always using that one knife. But that’s the one that works best for me. It’s the trusted blade that I can rely upon for almost every cutlery situation.
There is another blade we can rely upon without fail, included within the armor of God. Ephesians 6:13-17 (NKJV) informs us:
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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
The foundation piece of the Armor of God is the belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness is connected to the belt of truth and protects our hearts from deception, bitterness, and evil. The preparation of the gospel of peace is our shoes. Peace is to be our footing and is our guide. The shield of faith quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy. The helmet of salvation secures our thoughts against spiritual warfare. The next, and last, piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Greek word for sword in this passage is “machaira.” Roman soldiers used this type of short sword, or dagger, for close, hand-to-hand combat. The machaira was a “cut and thrust” weapon rather than a large, long blade.
Paul states that the machaira of the Spirit is the word of God. The Greek word for “word” used to describe this unique weapon is “rhema.” The sword of the Spirit, or rhema, is the only offensive weapon described in the Armor of God. Rhema is the spoken word of God. When spoken, the word of God defeats the enemy’s attacks of deception, temptation, and every form of evil.
We are to hold this weapon close to our person and be prepared for battle, just as Jesus was, as He fasted in the wilderness for forty days and nights. When the devil tempted Jesus, suggesting He turn the rocks into bread, Jesus responded with the word of God.
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ (Matthew 4:4 NKJV)
The author of Hebrews describes rhema in 4:12 (NKJV):
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.
The word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is living and active. It tears down falsehoods and advances faith. We wield the word of God by studying, knowing, meditating on, and speaking it—just as Jesus did in the wilderness. The word of God pierces the heart to expose motives and defend against temptations.
The double-edged sword cuts away the soul from the spirit, the joints from the marrow. The word of God separates us from sinful behaviors and attitudes. It illuminates a path to follow God and to live righteously. It sets us apart from the world—helping us grow in holiness and humility, while refusing to compromise or conform to selfishness and pride. The spoken word of God fuels our consecration to Him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) teaches us:
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.
The word of God—scripture—is written by men and inspired by God, and He has provided it to us for our good. It admonishes us, showing us right from wrong. It convicts us when we miss the mark and need to make some changes. The word corrects us, teaches us, and trains us in righteousness. And the purpose of all of this is to prepare us for every good work that God has planned for us.
The desires of the flesh are strong, and the enemy’s ploys can be intriguing. But God has provided us with the weapon to fight against our flesh and the devil—His spoken word. It is a dagger in our hands—His word in our mouths. Hold it close to you and be ready to thrust it out in the face of deception and temptation. Fight the enemy with the sharp two-edged sword God provides to us.
Jesus—the living word—holds all things together by the spoken word of God. This is the blade we can trust in every situation and circumstance. The word of God is our entrusted edge we need to cling to no matter what.
Do you have a favorite knife? Make the word of God your trusted edge. Just as Jesus holds the word of God as a dagger in His mouth, speak the word of God—the rhema—to defeat the enemy and his ploys to distract, tempt, and deter you from God’s perfect plan for you.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 119; Ephesians 6:10-20; Hebrews 1:3, 4:12; Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Galations 5:16-21; Romans 10:8; Ephesians 2:10; Revelation 1:16, 2:12-16
