A Sword is Born - Chapter 2

God’s Word is so full…of truths, promises, and sometimes surprises! Did you have any idea how many passages used “sword”? I have read Genesis 3:24 hundreds of times and never focused on the “flaming sword” other than the instrument used to deny access to the Garden.

“…we have become so familiar with God’s Word that it is rarely read as a sword…it is used as an instrument of study and devotion, but rarely as a weapon.”

In other words, we must be purposeful in our intent to ‘wield’ and apply the Sword of the Word in our daily lives. If not, then this study along with anything else will become simply ‘more information’ and not transformation.

In this chapter, Lisa describes a young girl’s dream set on a battlefield with girls praying and wearing camouflage, whose swords cause the very ground to shift. She uses this to illustrate the power of prayer and how the Word of God wielded as a sword is “an anchor to ground us” and “an instrument that takes ground.” This deeply stirred me especially in light of the fact that, just last week, I too had a similar dream immediately after the fatal shootings of two black men and the five Dallas police officers. In my dream, the swords I held (which were shaped as a cross of steel) were used to literally “stake Kingdom claim” in the four corners of the ‘ground’. I woke to the presence and voice of the Lord and began immediately to write. The depth and revelation of that dream is still unfolding in my spirit.

“The earth we walk upon responds to the words of its Creator" We need to equip ourselves because there’s a battle raging around us. And the very Word, that is so readily available to us today, is our weapon-in-waiting.

So. We read the Word; we hear the Word. But what does it look like to use it as a weapon?

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Using the Word as a weapon means doing something with it.

Lisa says, “If we know...we must do.”

Ladies, I pray that the LORD would begin to deeply reveal to you the importance and power of His Word in your life and in your mouth!

1. What are some ways you can get involved with making the sword of God’s Word a reality in your life? (Fencing Manual, p. 20)

“…From the ashes a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king…Reforge the sword.”

Lisa shares a scene in the Lord of the Rings trilogy movie with Princess Arwen to show the power of her words brings all the pieces of a broken sword together. The sword is then made whole...it’s reforged.

Lisa uses this imagery to demonstrate an important truth about God’s Word. The power of God’s Word comes in using it in its full, as a whole. When we selectively use pieces of it, we weaken it.

We’re to pick up the WHOLE Word of God and let it guide us in all we do:

"Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.” - Jeremiah 6:16

Lisa interprets “ancient” as “eternal.” So we’re to look for the paths and ways that are eternal.

Let’s build on this a bit. Jesus told His disciples, and us, that we need a sword. He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” Luke 22:36

This is Jesus on the night of His betrayal, telling His men to buy a sword. It’s a little confusing then when Peter is scolded for using his sword only hours later, but Lisa suggests that Peter’s action was the “right thing at the wrong time.” How does this apply to us? Instead of us needing to wield visible swords, we’re called to pick up the invisible sword of God’s Word.

Combine verses like Matthew 10:34:

Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but sword…with Jeremiah 6:16, above, and we begin to put all the pieces of the sword together. We see that God’s Word is meant to be understood from eternal perspective. And too often we try to understand His Word from “an earthbound mindset,” so it’s easy to err.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

When we live by the whole Word, when we wield God’s Sword, our spirit and soul are separated.

The sword of God’s Word has the power to reveal motives and join or separate relationships, scattering some in terror or uniting us as one body in courage.

2. List two scriptures that divide. List two scriptures that unite. (FM p 29)

Separation of soul and spirit is a fragile thing, so we need to work everyday to seek the “ancient paths,” the ways that God would have us travel.

Chapter 2 Sword Words: "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:17 "Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such which is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29 Did you see the last part of Ephesians 4:29? ....that it may give 'grace' to those who hear. The Sword, properly 'wielded', will GIVE 'GRACE'... The very word used to bind the enemy, not only empowers us but gives grace (enabling power) to those who are in need of hearing it...now that's wise warfare!

What stood out to you in chapter 2? Would love for you share your insights and thoughts! May you seek God in all you do, knowing that His Word, in its fullness, has power for your life.

Grace & Peace pastor m, #Girlswithswords