PROVERBS 12:18 – “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
EPHESIANS 6:17 – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE SWORDS WE CARRY. Every Christian enters each day armed for spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul gives a detailed list of the needed armor to fight the devil, the world and our flesh:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Yet, there is a piece of armor that is two-fold with the same name – a sword. One we put on intentionally, and is part of the armor of God, and the other we carry around all the time. It has positive and negative aspects and applications. One sword we are to use daily. The other we are never to let it leave its sheath.
The first sword is the Word of God – “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). This is the only offensive weapon given to the Christian. It is the specific use of the Word of God to fight the devil and all temptations. Jesus models its use in His wilderness temptation experience with the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). Read this portion of scripture and take notice how Jesus defeats the attacks of the devil by quoting specific passages of scripture from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. Each one defeated each specific temptation. And it is this piece of armor that is able to prevent the use of the next sword we carry – our tongue or speech.
The second sword is an impulsive tongue, or as King Solomon would write in today’s scripture, rash words. He paints a vivid picture of an uncontrolled tongue unleashed on a person as a sword thrusting into a person. The pain goes deep. The wound is serious. The trauma real and lasting. This is the damage that may be caused by the sword of a tongue out of control.
As we go about the Christian life, remember to keep sharp our swords of the Spirit so we can keep the sword of an unruly tongue from being used.
PRAYER: Father, teach me to use the sword of Your Spirit to keep the sword of my tongue in its sheath
REFLECTION: The sword of the tongue must be kept at bay by the Sword of the Spirit if we want gracious speech.