129. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE? – How do I protect Jesus’ life within me against Satan’s attacks? (k1)

From Meditation 120 onward we have seen that the full armour of God is a divine gift to all God’s children. The apostle Paul takes the armour of a first century Roman soldier to show us how we can protect Jesus’ life within us against Satan’s attacks. We have already spoken about girding our waist with truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, shoeing our feet with the preparedness of the Gospel of peace, taking up the shield of faith and receiving the helmet of salvation.

In Meditations 129 and 130 we reflect on the ‘sword of the Spirit’. Paul writes:

“Take (or receive) ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17**)

The sword is the last piece of the Roman armour that the apostle Paul mentions in this passage. The Greek equivalent is the machaira. It was a small sword or dagger which the soldier used for stabbing in close combat.

The Sword of God in the Old Testament

The apostle figuratively speaks of the “machaira of God’s Spirit” and explains that it stands for the way God’s Spirit wields God’s Word as a sword. To understand the warlike character of the machaira, we need to look first into the Septuagint, where the word is the Greek rendering of the original Hebrew Old Testament. There we see that the various passages which speak figuratively of God’s use of the machaira, deal with God’s judgment. Here are some examples:

-- When God speaks through Moses and declares His Laws to His people Israel at Mount Sinai, He warns them, saying: “Do not exploit widows or orphans. If you do and they cry out to Me, then I will surely help them. My anger will blaze forth against you, and I will kill you with the sword (machaira).” (Exodus 22:22-24*)

-- When God warns Israel against the consequences of breaking His covenant, He says: “I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out My sword (machaira) and pursue you. Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins.” (Leviticus 26:33**)

-- Before Moses dies, he blesses Israel saying that God Himself is the sword that will pass judgment on their enemies: “How happy are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword (machaira) you boast in.” (Deuteronomy 33:29****)

Furthermore, the Book of Proverbs shows how upsetting hurtful words can be:

-- “Reckless words pierce like a sword (machaira), but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18**)

-- “There is a generation whose teeth are like swords (machairae), and whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.” (Proverbs 30:14***)

When the Old Testament speaks of God’s sword, it points to God’s judgment on individuals, groups or nations. When it mentions the sword as an image of the spoken word, it refers to a hurtful and distressing way of speaking.

The Sword of God the Son in the New Testament

In the New Testament, and especially in the Book of Revelation, it is the Messiah who wields the sword of God’s judgment on the church and the world. In chapter one, the apostle John describes his face-to-face with the exalted Messiah: “When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across His chest. His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And His eyes were bright like flames of fire. His feet were as bright as bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from His mouth. And His face was as bright as the sun in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:12-16*)

In chapter 2, we read twice about Jesus as the messianic Judge speaking to His church in Pergamum (Turkey). Again the image of the two-edged sword is used here:

-- “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of Him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.” (Revelation 2:12**)

-- “Repent, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them (i.e. false teachers) with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:16*)

Finally, we read in chapter nineteen about the Messiah’s last judgment on Satan and his global army: “Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came out of the mouth of the One riding the white horse (i.e. Jesus Messiah).” (Revelation 19:21*)

In the light of all these texts (and many others!) from the Old and New Testament, it is clear that God’s sword always speaks of battle and judgment.

The Sword of God the Spirit in the New Testament

When we now return to Paul’s command in our original text “Take (or receive) ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17**), we might wonder what the apostle Paul wants us to do. By now we understand that he certainly does not charge us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others in an aggressive way. On the contrary, this command can only point to war! But war against whom?

From Meditation 120 onwards, we have dealt with the full armour that God has given to all His children. With it they are able to protect Jesus’ life within them against Satan’s assaults. Interestingly, all pieces of this divine armour are given to shield ourselves against Satan’s demonic army. The only exception is God’s Word. It is given to us as a divine sword to fight off Satan’s attacks. How we should wield this sword of God’s Spirit we will see in the next meditation.

(to be continued)

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version; **** Christian Standard Bible

About “Jesus Messiah judging His Church”, see Meditations 54 and 78-90.