Now, this Sword is the only defensive weapon in our armor.  As children of God, we are taught to love, forgive, and show mercy.  Still, He gives us a sword–an instrument of war, to maim or to kill.  What is this about?

Note that neither in the wilderness when Jesus faced Satan, nor when Jesus approached Jerusalem for His biggest battle at the cross, nor when He returns as King of kings and Lord of lords, is He carrying any kind of a sword.   While pictures of Him at His return often show Him wielding a sword, note what the Word says:

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Revelation 1:16

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Revelation 19:15

And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19:21

Let’s look at the Hebrew meaning of this weapon.  Sword is Strong’s #2719 and it looks like this: The Strong’s definition is drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implements:—axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.

Here are the letters reading from right to left:

Chet  8 = New Beginnings. Means: Fence, Gate, Tent wall to Separate, Protect, Cut off. Torah

Resh  200 = Insufficiency, Poverty. Picture: Head Means: Head, Chief, Beginning, Highest, Most Important, a Person, Human Reasoning vs. Obedience.  (When we allow human reasoning to be our master, our head, poverty of the Spirit results.)

Bet  2 =  Divide or Division     Means: House/Family; God’s Word, God’s dwelling place (Temple)

Do you see how the Hebrew letters define the use of this Sword?

The Sword is a weapon to cut off, separate, and protect us (Chet) from our human reasoning that gets in the way of our obedience to God and His Word (Resh).  The Sword causes a division in our thinking, making us aware of God’s Word and reminds us that we are members of God’s household.(Bet).

Alright, now let’s add.

The first use of the word Spirit is in Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Spirit is Strong’s #7307 and it looks like this:   The definition from Strong’s: from wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger — air, anger, blast, breath, × cool, courage, mind, tempest, (whirl-) wind(-y).

And the letters tell us more.  From right to left:

Resh  200 = Insufficiency, Poverty. Picture: Head Means: Head, Chief, Beginning, Highest, Most Important, a Person, Human Reasoning vs. Obedience.  (When we allow human reasoning to be our master, our head, poverty of the Spirit results.)

Vav  6 =  Man.  Means: Nail or Hook, to Secure, Pin together, Connect -Yeshua

Chet  8 = New Beginnings. Means: Fence, Gate, Tent wall to Separate, Protect, Cut off. Torah

Whoa, Resh and Chet are in this word as well.  But Yeshua/Jesus changes everything.

[Just a side note–every Hebrew letter has a positive and negative side.  When you are researching the meaning of words, you must first, see the word in context.  AND you must stay close to Holy Spirit, asking Him to help you see if the meaning falls on the negative or positive side.  Without Holy Spirit, you cannot get the proper meaning.]

Okay what does Spirit mean:

The Spirit is the most important, highest, and chief source of power (Resh).  He reconnects us with Yeshua and His truth (Vav), which separates and protects us from the enemy of our human reasoning.

Yes, human reasoning is the ultimate enemy.  Satan and his minions can drop thoughts into our minds and confront us with their lies and deception, but what we do with them ends up being the real issue.  And we have access to the ultimate weapon — The Sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us, For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And in Isaiah 11:3-4, it says of Jesus, His delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
⁴ But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips, He shall slay the wicked.

The word breath there has the same Strong’s number as the word Spirit.

Jesus wielded this Sword in the wilderness when the enemy tempted Him:

“If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:3-4

In each of the three temptations, Jesus fought back with the Word of God.

The Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the armor.  We are to defend ourselves against the evil one by speaking aloud God’s Word.  So, knowing the Word of God is critical if we are to stand in these times of great deception.

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city, he faced great opposition.  But in Nehemiah 4:17-18 it describes how they got the job done:  Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. ¹⁸ Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

We too must continue to build–do what God has commissioned us to do.  But we must also keep the Sword of the Spirit at our side to keep the enemy in check.

One last word–In the growing darkness of our world, there may be times when we need to have a physical weapon to defend ourselves and our families.  Some argue that this is not God’s way and they site scriptures like Mark 6:7-8  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—

However, just before He went to the cross, in His awareness of the persecution soon to come, He gave new instructions:

Luke 22:35-36 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

So they said, “Nothing.”

Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

Whether to fight with the Word of God or with an actual weapon must be a matter of keeping a close relationship with the Lord.  Close enough to hear His voice and see what He is doing.  Human reasoning could get us or our family killed.  We must get to know Holy Spirit and immediately do what He tells us.

Let’s thank God for this powerful weapon.  After all, God created the entire universe with His word.

Abba, I thank You for the Sword of the Spirit. I thank You that I have access to Your Word. As I go about my day today, help me stay in contact with You. Help me to set aside my human reasoning and pride and ask You for discernment. Today, I will read and meditate on Your Word.  Help me to take it slow and chew it well until it becomes part of who I am.   More and more, may I recognize the lies and temptations of the enemy. And may I stand strong and confront him with Your Word.  Thank You, Abba. Amen.

I know this was a long post, but it is SO important.  See you on Monday.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Shalom♥