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| God's Sword strikes behind the enemy's lies. |
these soldiers conquered. To resist them meant certain death. They were heavily armed, trained, and disciplined. They had at their disposal an arsenal of weapons. Among these were various types of swords.
A heavy double-edged sword, too large and heavy to use in actual fighting, was a training tool. This strengthened the soldier’s muscles so that when they wielded their swords in battle they did not become fatigued and weak.
The spatha was a long sword used in the Roman cavalry and gladiator games. A soldier could swing this instrument of death with a long reach while still on horseback.
But the gladius was the weapon of the foot soldiers. With a double edge and triangular tip, its reputation was as the sword that conquered the world. Just the sight of this sword and the decimation left behind would strike fear in the hearts of an enemy. It was used in close contact because it could penetrate the body between chinks in armor, remove limbs and slice throats.
Gladius is the Latin term for this type of sword which in Greek is machaira. And this Greek word is the term Paul used in Ephesians 6:17 when he refers to the sword of the Spirit. The deadly sword Paul tells us to use against our enemy. The machaira of the Spirit. The words of God that decimate our enemy. The devil cannot stand against it. The Word strikes fear in this fallen angel because he knows he has no power against those razor-sharp edges. The sword that conquered the spirit world is the sword of redemption. 
Jesus defeated satan when He went into hell and took away the keys to death. Redemption cannot be undone.
Our use of machaira against the enemy of mankind reminds the devil of this. That’s why he fights so hard against our knowledge of the Word. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
When we know what redemption did for us, we hold the power, the enemy does not. It is God’s power in our hands, His sword, and we can eliminate any threat because this weapon strikes behind the devil’s armor—his lies.
Here are 3 ways to wield this mighty sword of redemption:
- Strengthen our soul by training (constant immersion in the Word). Then we can stand against our enemy without fatigue or weakness. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7 NKJV).
- Stand in our rightful place of redemption. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). Three times in Ephesians 6:10-18, we are told to stand or withstand. The devil is under our feet. We are not under his.
- Stay in a sound mind and do not let fear rule. We have been given the spirit of power. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Roman soldiers won battles because they were heavily armed, trained, and disciplined. When we arm ourselves with the Sword of God, train ourselves in His Word, and discipline our souls to only listen to the truth, we are a force that strikes fear in the spiritual wickedness in high places.
We are victorious because our Leader has already won the war for redemption. Our fighting takes place in the battlefield of the mind.
Truth conquers lies and the Sword of the Spirit cuts away the false images that deceive the mind.
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31b-32).
The truth we know about redemption makes us free.
How do you use the Sword of the Spirit? Share your thoughts.
What a message of power and hope, Barbara. Your three ways to wield the Sword of Redemption are right on target. One small bright spot of isolation is more time to be in God's Word. You are right, the enemy cannot survive against it and, as you say, the battle takes place in our mind. Thank you for this informative and inspiring message. Wishing you blessings.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, thanks for pointing out that we can have that bright spot of hope through isolation because we have more time to spend in the word. God always brings us something good out of the evil the enemy stirs up. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteWhat an interesting post about the Roman swords and the training of the soldier. And how apt a message this gives us about our training and discipline to use the sword of the Spirit! Thank you, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteI love the imagery swords give us about cutting through the devil's lies and how the Word of God is our sword. Thanks for sharing, Kathy. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I learned a lot about the types of swords in your post. Thank you for reminding us that in Christ, the victory is ours. I especially appreciate this sentence:
ReplyDelete“We are victorious because our Leader has already won the war for redemption.”
Yes, it is so important to our mind battles to remember that Jesus has already won the war. Thank you, Jeannie, for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteHi Barbara.
ReplyDeleteThis message is a timely one for me as I'm teaching my teenagers about spiritual warfare. I'm looking forward to sharing this post with them! Thank you for depth of information.
Blessings,
Tammy
Thanks, Tammy. I'm glad something that was shared will be used to bless others. The teenagers will probably enjoy the swords! Blessings!
DeleteHow interesting! Loved the description of Roman swords as well as how to wield the Sword of Redemption. Thank you Barbara!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Sylvia. The meaning of the Roman swords fascinated me too. Blessings!
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