The Offensive Weapon
The Sword of the Spirit
The Word of God
Description
The sword (machaira) was the Roman soldier's close-combat weapon. The Word of God serves as the believer's offensive weapon—the only piece of armor designed for attack. 'Word' here is rhema (spoken word), emphasizing Scripture applied to specific situations. Jesus demonstrated this weapon's effectiveness in His wilderness temptation, responding to each satanic attack with 'It is written.' The sword must be known (through study), drawn (through memorization), and wielded (through application) to be effective against the enemy.
Key Verses
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.