Basically, the difference between a sword and a cutlass is that unlike the cutlass which has just one sharpened edge, both edges of a sword are sharpened and are equally enabled to produce as much impact whichever way it is swung.
A sword we most times identify during ancient wars as the instrument of offence/ attack used by the soldier. Though spears, catapults and arrows are equally used but you know a good soldier when you see him use his sword.
Another quality that could make a soldier stand out during a battle is the quality of the metal which the sword is fabricated from and also of importance is the sharpness of the edges of the blade.
A good sharpened blade combined with the skill, boldness and audacity of the soldier guarantees maximum success at war.
We would identify from our prior studies in the past few weeks on Ephesians. 6, in which all other items of the armour discussed are for defence except this.
The instrument for offence/ attack is equally as important as those for defence in that a successful soldier is not one who just stays defending himself, continuously receiving blows upon blows from the enemy hoping to wear the enemy out but is one who is able to defend himself from the assault of the enemy and also in quick succession reply back with blows of his own.
This is ONLY when real success is guaranteed in warfare.
The item of the whole armour been identified here is the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
This informs us clearly that the sword depicted here is not that of the physical but a spiritual sword and is wholly likened to the WORD OF GOD.
Heb. 4:12 does a good job of likening the word of GOD as a spiritual sword, the sharpest of its kind.
This particular sword is not limited by cases of bluntness or metal used in fabricating the sword.
This sword is not a type we brandish with our hands but we wield it on our lips (Rev. 19:15).
So therefore, it becomes highly detrimental for a Christian to be void of that which the word of GOD declares because whilst in the evil day, even the instruments of defence which he supposedly has, begins to grow weak and eventually fades out.
For example, the shield of faith is enabled by an increase in knowledge of the word of GOD, so a lack of the word of GOD makes such man's shield to grow helplessly weak in the times of attack by the enemy.
The word of GOD which also is the word of life is made available for the believer in the battles of life to pull down strong holds, cast down imaginations and everything that intends to exalt itself above GOD in the walk of a child of GOD.
During the temptations of JESUS (Matt. 4), in all the enticements of the devil to see that JESUS obeyed/ yielded to his instructions were countered simply by the word of GOD.
As Christians, in our walk, temptations occur variously and we can ONLY overcome these by replying with the ever potent word of GOD; it is our sword against the enemy.
Far more than the impact of the stones which emanated from Davids sling, the power of the word of GOD was needed to bring down the mighty tongue-wagging Goliath (1Sam. 17). Verses 45 and 46 show us where truly David wrapped up the battle even before he slung the stone that struck Goliath.
Whenever the devil rises up against us, long before we make any physical moves in an attempt to defeat him, draw out your sword (i.e. the word of GOD) and you immediately utter that which the word of GOD declares concerning you and the situation the enemy is presenting, that would be your first victory, and after knowing what the word of GOD says, complete the battle by declaring what the word says and believing so trustingly in that which GOD has declared.
Rev. 15:4 creates in us a remembrance that all that is therein contained in the word of GOD is so written so that the knowledge of it breeds in us hope that ensures our survival through this battle of life.
1Cor. 2:9 equally enlightens us that beyond what eyes have seen, ears heard or what man's heart has ever conceived is what GOD has in store for us. If the knowledge of these true promises are lacking, how then do we as Christians raise hope/ confidence whenever the devil hovers around with his wicked plans.
The word of GOD is our reassurance even as the sword reassures the soldier that so long this sword remains around me, I can face any challenge, so the word of GOD should also be as reassurance for us and keep us confident in the face of challenges.
The word of GOD is given for doctrine, correction and instruction in righteousness and it is fully by the inspiration of GOD so we can live perfectly and enabled to do good works (2Tim. 3:16-17).
Truly we have established prior to this study that it is really what I know that I can have faith in and be surely confident about. If as Christians we know of the potency of the word of GOPD even far more potent than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), then we could be sure to make use of it all through our life's journey to create a Godly path through which we need to adhere to and follow strictly and equally gain life's victories with.
Mind you friends, I don't remember seeing any soldier been on vacation at the battle field, if he has to go on vacation, he would have to leave the battle area completely and since our lives is the battlefield, then as Christians we don't have vacation-privileges in this battle, so in essence the job of been on the alert, guarding our hearts, putting on the whole armour of GOD, wielding the sword of the Spirit by continuously declaring the word of GOD should always be our lifestyle such that there doesn't become a point in time wherein we relax away (indulge in sin) and leave ourselves vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy as he does not rest, always roaring seeking whom he may devour (1Pet. 5:8).
N.B: Notice the word "WHOM", this is to mean that he needs your permission to devour you and since friends we have not been converted to edible food, we refuse and are surely not going to permit the devil to devour us. We stand strong always in the fear of our GOD . . . HALLELUYAH
GOD BLESS YOU
Amen
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