Category Archives: Sword

Roman-style dagger with decorative sheath and handle on wooden table
Avenger, Bible, Evil, Good, Romans, Scripture, Sword

THE SWORD

ROMANS 13:4

“or it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”

I was with a friend of mine this past weekend helping him pack up some things as he prepares to move. As we were packing, I noticed a sheath on the shelf and saw the hilt of what looked like a sword. He pulled it down and showed it to me. He told me he had given it to his son at his bat Mizpah when he was thirteen. It was meant to represent the sword of the Lord, His Word. What a great idea!

Paul uses the word “sword” in today’s verse to stand for the power of the authorities God has placed over us. He uses this word here and back in Romans 8:35. The sword was meant to symbolize the power to protect the innocent but to also punish the evil doers. Remember, Paul has already stated that every authority is placed by the Lord for a reason. That sword is a reminder to us that will use these authorities in our life to keep us in line.

APPLICATION

That kind of sounds like we have to live in fear, Carl. No, no, no! Paul is very explicit here in this verse. He says, “if you do what is evil” and “the one who practice evil.” Both of these are in the Present tense which implies a lifestyle, not a one time event. We all are capable of failures from time to time. God knows we will never live a perfectly sinless life. Only His Son, Jesus, was capable of that. But we are not to make evil our normal practice.

Paul uses another word of interest in this verse. He says the person who has been placed in authority serves as “an avenger who brings wrath.” The Greek word for “avenger” is ékdikos, which is defined as “someone executing a just judgment, carrying out what is right which can include administering punishment for the wicked.” (HELPS Word-studies) If they are God’s avenger against those doing evil, why should we not choose to obey, knowing that by doing that we are really obeying the Father?

Ekdikos is only used once more in the New Testament in 1 Thessalonians 4:6 where it says, “…because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you.” You see, it is really the Lord who avenges evil. “Submit yourself, therefore, to the Lord. Resist the devil and he will flee.” (James 4:7)

I trust the sword in the hand of the authority knowing that You place all who are in authority for a purpose.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Armor, Bible, Helmet, Scripture, Sword

THE HELMET AND SWORD

EPHESIANS 6:17

“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

I’ve never had a job where I had to wear a helmet or a hard hat. But those professions that require it know the importance of it. Take a fireman, for instance. His job requires him to battle fires which often include falling debris. That helmet protects his noggin. The soldier is the same. Helmets in battle can deflect bullets or shrapnel. And even in sports, the helmet protects football players from serious injuries

Paul had seen plenty of Roman soldiers in his day. Those helmets they wore often had plumes of feathers on the top and were usually metal. Those swords they carried were called machaira. They were short daggers used primarily for stabbing. That meant close hand-to-hand combat. Paul knew what we were up against.

APPLICATION

I don’t think any of us are going to go out and buy a helmet and sword, are we? But we don’t need it for the battle we are waging. We are already equipped with these two pieces. We have the helmet of salvation because we have confessed our sins and have asked Jesus to save us. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, we read again, “But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” Our salvation is our hope, and it is a sure hope.

Then Paul calls that sword “the word of God.” What did he mean by that? The word is our weapon against the enemy. Why? Because it is always true. It will never fail. It will not rust or decay. It is timeless. The writer of Hebrews says this about the Word. In Hebrews 4:12 it says, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 

Sword and helmet! Are you equipped? You will be in the battle. You need to have the armor. Don’t make the mistake and leave home without it. We have an adversary who is equipped. I promise you that. Be ready!

Thank You, Lord, for my helmet and sword.

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