Sharpening Your Spiritual Sword: Trusting Scripture

The Bible is always true and reliable, yet even believers at times may doubt its trustworthiness. When Roman soldiers went into battle they carried a sword known as a gladius. This weapon was made of high carbon steel and sharpened on both sides. Their shield was their defensive weapon and their sword was used for offense. With it they stabbed their enemy when he was at close range. The soldiers always trusted their razor-sharp blades, just as we can trust the Scripture to be the Word of God.

Roman soldiers were highly trained with their swords. What would happen to a Roman soldier if he could not trust his weapon? What if he never knew if his blade was sharp or not? The soldier would be at a great disadvantage, never knowing if his sword was adequate for the job.

Some of us look at Scripture this way. Is this part true? Is that part true? Can I believe this person in the Bible? Is my sword, God's Word, sharp or not? It is always sharp, yet we, on the other hand, may be swimming in doubt and unable to effectively use it.

You might not relate well to a Roman soldier, but picture the office worker, short on time, overworked, and desperately trying to make a deadline. Then to their dismay, they find the copy machine is not working. Unfortunately, they didn't know how to unjam the machine. Poorly trained, they will fail at their job. And failure is costly.

When we rely on a tool but don't know how to use it; things go wrong. Your knowledge of the word of God is similar. The Word of God is always honed and ready, but our skill in utilizing it might not be. If we are not trained properly on how to use the Word of God, we will be at a loss in spiritual battles. How then does Scripture teach us to use our sword with confidence?

Sharpening Your Spiritual Sword: Trusting Scripture

Is your spiritual sword battle ready or do you doubt? In the same way a Roman soldier relied on his gladius, we as Christians rely on the Word of God for both defense and offense in spiritual warfare. However, if we're not paying attention, if we are untrained, then it will do us no good. That brings us to the heart of the matter: sharpening your spiritual sword by trusting Scripture’s own instruction is how to stay ready for battle against evil.

The Word as a Living Weapon

Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 both refer to the Word of God as a sword. First, we learn that the Word of God is alive and active. Unlike literary classics such as Homer's Iliad, the Word of God changes hearts and minds, it transforms people and has for centuries. This is exactly how the same Bible verse can convict one person and build up another. The Holy Spirit moves in our hearts through the Word of God.

Cutting to the Heart

In Hebrews 4:12, we are told that the double-edged sword of God's Word is sharper than a Roman soldier's blade. It cuts quickly and deeply into the heart of man and slices through our excuses and our words to the innermost reality of our heart. Why? To judge our thoughts and intentions rightly. The Lord looks at the heart. Do we truly love? God knows!

Truth That Proves True

As Jesus declares in John 17:17, "Your word is truth." This is reiterated in Psalm 18:30, "...the Word of the Lord proves true" and in Proverbs 30:5-6, "Every Word of the Lord proves true." This truth helps us grow in understanding.

Rightly Dividing the Word

The sword of the Word penetrates deeply, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), which means correctly interpreting and applying Scripture. As Christians we need to be diligent workers who study the Bible. We need to be aware of who the author was speaking to and what the purpose of the book was. We shouldn't just skip over words we don't understand but look them up.

The context of a passage is important to know, as well as the genre of literature such as: narrative, prophecy, wisdom literature, or apocalyptic literature. These are key to understanding scripture accurately. Most importantly, we should pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Like studying for an exam, we study to be approved by God.

Diligence Over Opinion

It is not our opinion of what something means that informs us, but the truth of God. Timothy was very familiar with Scripture, having been taught as a child by his mother and grandmother. But even he needed to be reminded to not slack in his studying of the Word. Timothy wanted to be that diligent Christian; an unashamed worker before God and so should we.

Abiding in the Word

The Bible often speaks of abiding in the Word. That word, abiding, which is not often used today, means a deep commitment to a relationship. Our Lord tells us in John 8:31-32 that to be a true disciple of Jesus we should abide in His Word. We abide in Christ because He is the Word.

1 Peter 1:23 says we are born again "through the living and abiding Word of God." Anyone who has had a committed relationship to another person knows it requires effort. If we drift through our human relationships, or spiritually drift in our relationship to God, that relationship will suffer. But how can we trust words written in Scripture? Can we be confident they come from God?

Confidence in Scripture

Paul knew some would doubt his words. Paul addresses this in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 when he thanks God for the church's reception of his words as "the word of God." They believed his words were truthfully God's word and not men's. Paul says this word does an effective work in believers. This is important because Paul is responsible for writing approximately 25% of the New Testament. If we doubt Paul's words, we are discounting much of the New Testament.

Some question the Bible’s authority. Even within the church, this happens. But Scripture proves itself. It doesn't just claim to be true; it shows it. Its message is unified, its impact is lasting, and the Spirit confirms its truth in the lives of believers.

Purposeful Inspiration

What does Scripture say it should be used for? 2 Timothy 3:15-17 tells us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Every word we read in the Bible is there for a purpose.

There is something in each word that God would have us understand or apply. Scripture equips us for the good works that we are designed to do. To understand what Paul meant, we need to consider the context in which he wrote this.

When Paul wrote this, the Scriptures he referred to were the Old Testament writings. Some books in the New Testament had not even been written yet. But his point is that Holy Scripture, both Scripture that was known and Scripture that would come, is all inspired or breathed out by God.

Four-fold Function of Scripture

Paul explains how Scripture functions in the life of a believer:

1) Doctrine - God's Word is how we get to know Him better.

2) Reproof - God's Word convicts us of sin. It makes us aware of our failings.

3) Correction - Holy Scripture doesn't just convict us but it offers a solution. The Word of God explains what we must do to be in right relation to God.

4) Instruction in righteousness - God's Word explains how a person applies what they learn to their lives in a practical way.

Eyes Opened by the Word

It is the Word of God that opens the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:18). The Holy Spirit working through God's word enables us to see, receive, and understand Him. As Psalm 19:8 explains, "... the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." The Good News of the gospel of Christ profits us nothing without faith (Hebrews 4:2). How open are the eyes of your heart?

From Darkness to Light

Paul's experience on the road to Damascus symbolizes the opening of the eyes of our heart. As he was struck blind during his encounter with Christ, and later received his sight, so we too go from spiritual darkness to walking in the light of Christ. This faith Paul wants to share with the Romans.

In Romans 1:16, Paul famously declares he "is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." He isn't ashamed because as he continues to say it is the way that the righteousness of God is revealed from "faith to faith". Paul could look to the Old Testament in Psalm 92:12-14 where the righteous are said to "flourish" and "grow ." This happens if they are "planted in the house of God" then they will thrive in the "courts of our God." From this we see that faith is not static. Faith grows as we are in relationship with God.

Letting Christ’s Word Dwell

We don't just receive faith and we're done. No, we grow in grace and knowledge through His Word. In Colossians 3:16, Paul reminds them to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing." We should pray that His words are the foundation upon which we express Christ's truths. When we speak about the Bible we should think to ourselves, "What did Jesus say or teach about this?"

Hearing and Doing

What did Jesus say about the Word of God? Luke 11:28 tells us that Jesus said we are blessed if we "hear the Word of God and keep it." We aren't just blessed by hearing it on Sunday morning, in Bible study, or at home when we read the Word. Our blessing comes from hearing it and keeping it. James 1:22, reminds us again not to just hear the word, but to do it. Doers and not hearers only; that is what brings blessings that accomplish the will of God.

God’s Word in Action

Just as rain brings flowers and fruits, Isaiah 55:10 tells us God's word always accomplishes what is intended. Indeed, the Son of God, who was the very Word of God, dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:1). He accomplished fully the purpose God had given Him.

The same Greek word, Logos, used here in reference to Jesus, can also mean the Bible, as in the Word of God. Just as Jesus brings light to the world so the Scriptures, through the action of the Holy Spirit, bring His light to us, opens our eyes to understanding, and brings blessing when we obey.

Equipped for Victory

Our sword is the Word of God. With it we can defeat evil. With it we can understand our Father in a deeper way. We can become who we have always been meant to be. A soldier in the army of the Lord, who is prepared and blessed. Don't doubt the strength of your sword. Go forth boldly knowing that He and His word are with you and fully believe His Word is truth.