As the apostle Paul details the full armor of God that each Christian is to “put on,” there are many defensive pieces. One piece stands out as the “offensive weapon” for each Christian—the sword of the Spirit. There are several things to note about this sword.
It is called “the sword of the Spirit,” emphasizing that this is the manner in which the Holy Spirit pierces, penetrates and works. The sword is identified as “the Word of God,” emphasizing the powerful weapon at our disposal is not anything we say but everything God says. Rather than sheathe the sword, God commands us to “take” it and to wield it both offensively (to teach lost souls and answer questions, Mark 16:15; 1 Pet. 3:15) and defensively (to overpower the devil, overcome temptations and overthrow false doctrines, 1 Pet. 5:8; Psa. 119:11; 2 Tim. 4:1-4).
The “living and powerful” word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). Do we wield it, use it, study it, practice it and apply it? How useless I am as a soldier if I do not!