Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The sword of the spirit which is the Bible, is that part of the armor that is to be used both defensively and offensively, for it is a two-edged sword. It is sometimes used defensively, because Sabbath-keeping Christians are often called upon to defend their course of action in certain circumstances such as the reason why we do not work on Saturdays. There are very many jobs in America and around the world that make working over the Sabbath hours a mandatory requirement, since Saturday is one of the busiest days of the week, although it should be one of the quietest.
Our Creator has given us six days to work and one day to rest, and any infringement on our God-ordained freedom to worship according to the scriptural stipulation, calls for us to use the sword of the spirit in defense of our beliefs. Let's read:
Exodus 23:12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
But the sword of the Spirit is also used offensively, in that the truths of the scriptures are to be presented in stark contrast to the many evils which abound today. One of the sins that have become commonplace on a personal and even a corporate level, is the sin of lying. Lies are told as easily as one blinks an eye, and in some instances it is actually a part of the job description. The Bible says that lying lips are an abomination unto the Lord, and as such, it should not be found amongst Christians. However, the habit has become so deeply rooted in American culture, that it is almost expected in certain situations.
The current recall of millions of GM cars and trucks, is the result of lying, for when it was fully known by the car manufacturer several years ago, that many of their vehicles were giving electrical problems, they then instructed some of their employees to suggest other causes. And so when people started complaining at the various dealerships, of the issues they were having with the ignition switch, other reasons were given as the source of the problems, and as a result, several people have died in horrific crashes, and the lawsuits which are piling up, will probably be in the billions.
In addition to this, the car manufacturer will lose credibility with many of their most faithful customers, and it will likely take years for the trust that was lost to be regained. This tragedy calls for an offensive by the sword of the Spirit, for the Bible tells us that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire if decisive change is not made by the grace of God. Let's read:
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
In our own lives we should try to cultivate the habit of speaking and dealing truthfully in all of the affairs of life. All understatements or exaggerations, by which we stand to benefit from a pecuniary standpoint should be resolutely put away. Those insurance claims that are often blown out of proportion especially during hurricane season, the imaginary back and spinal injuries that stem from a mere bumper scratch, the aunts and uncles, the in-laws and outlaws so often claimed for on tax returns, all of these activities are some of the various strands of the same problem of lying that need to be uprooted from our lives.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us that the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, should be brought to bear on our everyday experiences, and if by the grace of God we seek the help that we need to overcome this problem, an entirely new day will dawn in our religious experience, for it is the will of God that the truth should set us free. Let's read:
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
God grant us His grace that the sword of the Spirit may be used appropriately in our daily lives, both now and for the entire Christian journey. "Good night" and God bless!