The Sword of the Spirit

It has been said that the writer of "The Book of Hebrews" compares the Word of God to a sword … or does he? I want to look closer at this verse.

Hebrews 4:12 …"For the word (Logos) of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

The Greek word "Logos" (above) … means "something said;" specifically as John used the word "Logos" … he declared it to be … "Jesus" the Son of God.

"For the word of God" … This can and should be understood in many places in Scripture to also mean Christ Jesus, who was and is the Word of God. The "Word of God" was a name known among the Jews for the Messiah; therefore the author of this book makes use of this phrase when writing to them.

Notice that "the word" is only compared to a sword; it does not say that it is a sword.

When looking at this scripture, care should be taken to understand the phrase … "the word of God" … is not only speaking of the written Word of God, but in all likelihood may also be speaking of Jesus, who as the living Word can do what the written Word cannot do, and that is to be … "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

The written Word of God can not discern what is in the heart of man, but Jesus the living Word of God can and does.

Two things said of the "Word" in this verse agree exactly with who Christ is. Jesus as the Word of God is quick … meaning alive … He has life in Himself as God; He is the living God and as such He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The written Word of God can change our hearts and thoughts by the renewing of our minds; but on its own can not and does not discern. While it is acknowledged that the written Word of God can and does change men's hearts and minds; without application, the Word in and of and by itself cannot produce the desired effects.

Jeremiah 23:29 …"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?"

The written Word of God is compared to a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces; but will a hammer break a stone unless it is applied to the stone by the skill and strength of a man or woman? Such is the truth concerning … Word of God … it must be applied to the heart of man.

Another way to determine that "the Word of God" in this chapter is indeed Christ and not a printed book is to take notice of all the references used in the first 14 verses. References like … "His rest, I have sworn, He spoke, His works, and hear His voice" … all of which imply and suggest more than Words; they point to a person … who I believe is Jesus Himself.

If we read on in the following two verses the writer of Hebrews speaks very plainly and tells us who is meant by … "the Word of God."

Hebrews 4:13-14 …"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."

Can anything be more plainly written for us than … Jesus the Son of God? These three verses (12-14) are one continuing thought about our High Priest Jesus.

So; does the author of the Book of Hebrews say that the Word of God is a sword to be used in battle? Not here in these verses; but there are others that speak to this subject.

In Ephesians Chapter 6, the words of Paul paints for us a picture of a Roman soldier dressed for battle in his defensive armor which was worn for his personal protection against an enemy. The only piece of his equipment I want to look at in this study is … his sword.

Contrary to what is normally taught … this sword was not used as an offensive weapon. The Roman sword was intended to be used as a defensive weapon, not an offensive one. The Roman Army had many other weapons at their disposal that was used offensively as they marched against the nations they conquered.

The Roman sword was not like the long European saber. Instead it was only about one foot long, was heavy and had two sharp edges. It was used for up close hand to hand fighting if the enemy broke thru the battle lines. This little sword was the Roman soldier's … last means of defense … if he had to protect himself in hand to hand fighting.

Look closely at what the Apostle Paul is telling us in …

Ephesians 6:17 …"And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (K.J.V.)

Whose sword? It's the Spirit's sword. The Amplified Bible says it this way …

"And take … the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God."

Who wields this sword? Who swings this sword in our spiritual battles? Who uses this sword to defeat the enemy? The Spirit does.

But I need to ask one more question. Whose spirit is this that wields this sword in battle? When Paul uses the word "spirit" … does he mean our human spirit or the Holy Spirit? In the translation from the Greek into English, the word "Spirit" was capitalized … but does it need to be?

The Greek word that was translated into the English word "Spirit" in the above verse is really … "pneuma" which means "breath" … figuratively "a spirit," and by implication means "a soul."

If this "pneuma" is the spirit God breathed into man … then this sword that is part of the Roman soldier's armor … cannot belong to God's Holy Spirit … it's our sword to be wielded spiritually by our spirit man just as we must wear the rest of this spiritual armor. We can't see or feel this armor with our natural senses, but that doesn't make it any less real.

The reason all of this armor, including the sword of the spirit is necessary to be used in the spiritual realm and is not physical in nature, is because this is the realm Satan, the ruler of darkness works in.

If I need this spiritual armor to protect my spirit, doesn't it make sense that I am also the one who needs to use the sword of the spirit as my last weapon of defense against the devil, the enemy of … my soul … because it's spiritual warfare and not physical warfare even though many times his attacks are allowed to cross over from the spiritual realm to the realm of the flesh.

Okay, so now what? We have this spiritual sword … how do we use it? Who or what do we use it against? Paul earlier in this chapter wrote …

"… we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The battle is against Satan … not each other. If the sword of the spirit is really the Word of God or if it's Jesus Himself … either way … it must be applied to the problem.

If this sword is the spoken and printed Word of God, then words were spoken; some by God the Father and some by Jesus … the Word in flesh … so declare with your mouth what the truth of the Word already declares; Jesus has defeated the enemy and destroyed the works of the devil; and by doing so has made him of no effect unto us. (Hebrews 2:14-15) Jesus has set the captive free.

Mark 16:17… "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils …"

How do you cast out devils? You take the sword that your spirit has been given … the Word of God … and you declare with your voice the Truth of that Word.

By doing so you answer the question …

"Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?"