How would you like God to
give you a weapon that can rip to shreds the devil's
strategies against you? Well, that's exactly what He
has done! Ephesians 6:17 declares that God has given
you "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God"!
I want you to look at the word "sword" in this verse.
It is the Greek word machaira - a word that
exacted fear in the minds of those who heard it! You
see, this wasn't just a sword, but a weapon of murder
that caused the victim horrid pain as he lay bleeding
to death.
Just for your knowledge, there were various types of
swords used by the Roman army during New Testament
times. For instance, there was a huge double-handed
sword - a sword so massive that it could only be
utilized with the use of two hands. This sword
could not be used in real combat because it was too
huge. Instead, it was used during sword practice
sessions because it helped develop stronger muscles as
soldiers swung it against a post that represented an
enemy.
There was also a long sword that was used for fighting
in a battle, similar to the sword we are familiar with
today. This sword was very effective in battle, but it
more often wounded the enemy than it killed him.
Because it was long, it was most often swung at an
enemy from the side, thus scraping or cutting a gouge
into the side or limbs of an adversary.
But the weapon referred to in Ephesians 6:17, coming
from the Greek word machaira, was neither of
these swords. This sword was an exceptionally brutal
weapon. Although it could be up to nineteen inches in
length, most often it was shorter and shaped like a
dagger-type sword.
Just as a dagger is inserted into a victim at close
range, this sword was used only in close combat. It
was razor sharp on both sides of the blade. The tip of
the sword often turned upward; sometimes it was even
twisted, similar to a cork screw. Because this
dagger-type sword was razor sharp, it could easily be
thrust into the abdomen of an adversary. And if it had
a cork-screw tip, the attacker could shred the insides
of a victim by twisting the sword.
All these characteristics made the machaira a
very deadly and frightful weapon. This two-edged,
dagger-type sword inflicted a wound far worse than any
other sword that was available to the Roman soldier at
that time. Although the other swords were deadly, this
one was a terror to the imagination!
By using the word machaira in Ephesians 6:17,
the apostle Paul is saying that God has given the
Church of Jesus Christ a weapon that is frightful to
the devil and his forces. Why is this weapon so
horrific to the kingdom of darkness? Because it has
the razor-sharp power to slash our demonic foes to
shreds!
Because the word machaira denoted a sword that was
dagger-shaped, it tells us that the "sword of the
Spirit" is a weapon that is normally employed in
closer combat. Let's take this one step further, so we
can understand why this is so.
Notice that this verse calls it "the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God." The term "word" is
taken from the Greek word rhema, which
describes something that is spoken clearly and
vividly, in unmistakable terms and in undeniable
language. In the New Testament, the word rhema
carries the idea of a quickened word.
Here's an example of a rhema or a quickened
word: You are praying about a situation when
suddenly a Bible verse rises from within your heart.
In that moment, you know that God has supernaturally
made you aware of a verse you can stand on and claim
for your situation. When this happens, it's as if the
Holy Spirit has put a sword in your hand - a spiritual
dagger - that you can insert into the heart of the
enemy to bring about his defeat.
There are many examples of God giving someone this
kind of quickened word in the Bible, but the best one
is found in Luke 4, where Jesus is being tempted by
the devil in the wilderness. Over and over again, the
devil tempted and tested Jesus. But with each
temptation, a scripture was quickened inside Jesus,
and He would speak forth that scripture to the devil,
brandishing it like a sword against His enemy. Each
time Jesus used a verse that the Spirit had quickened
to Him, the sword of the Word dealt a serious blow to
the enemy - causing the devil to eventually flee in
defeat.
Because of the words machaira and rhema,
Ephesians 6:17 conveys this impression:
"The Spirit will place a razor-sharp sword
at your disposal anytime the enemy gets too close.
This sword's power will be available the very
moment the Spirit quickens a specific word for a
specific situation you are facing."
When you receive a rhema from the Lord, the
Holy Spirit drops a word or scripture into your heart,
causing it to come alive supernaturally and impart
special power and authority to you. This quickened
word is so powerful that it is like a sword has been
placed in your hands! That's why Paul calls it "the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
The next time you find yourself in close combat with
the enemy, take the time to get quiet in your heart
and listen. The Holy Spirit will reach up from within
your spirit and quicken to you a scripture
that has the exact power you need for the situation
you find yourself in at that moment. In other words,
the Holy Spirit will give you a rhema - a
specific word for a specific time and a specific
purpose.
When that happens, you have just received real "sword
power" in the realm of the Spirit. It's time for you
to insert, twist, and do damage
to the devil. Then you can watch in jubilation as he
hits the road and flees! |