In life’s spiritual battles, we need more than our own strength — we need God’s power. The Apostle Paul calls us to rely on the Lord’s might and prepare by putting on the full armor of God. This armor equips us to stand firm against the spiritual forces of darkness. With truth, righteousness, faith, and salvation, we can defend ourselves.
Most importantly, Paul reminds us to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Through constant prayer and God’s Word, we are empowered to boldly live out and share the message of the gospel, standing strong no matter what challenges come our way.
NOTE: When Apostle Paul speaks about the struggle of being a Christian, he often uses military imagery. He did not encourage them to take the scuba gear of the spirit or the rock climbing gear of the spirit…
QUESTION: Why do you think he chose the concept of the ARMOR of God?
Possible answers:
- There is an opposing army/force fighting against us to defeat us!
- It is a life-or-death struggle.
- It is a battle between opposing kingdoms.
NOTE: Today, we’re going to talk about a specific piece of that armor: The SWORD of the spirit. (which is the word of God).
The Armor of God and the Living Word in Hebrews
We read exactly about what the Word of God is in Hebrews:
Hebrews 4:12 KJV – “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.”
- Quick (G2198): To live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead); active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God; fresh, strong, efficient.
- Powerful (G1756): Active, operative, effectual, powerful.
- Sharper (G2875): To cut decisively; more comprehensive or decisive than G2875, as if by a single stroke (whereas that implies repeated blows, like hacking); more keen:—sharper (i.e. no ambiguity…).
The Word of God is alive, effective, and able to pierce deeply into our being, revealing the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Two-edged Sword:
In the Bible, both the Greek and Hebrew words for two-edged mean “two-mouthed,” referring to how the blade consumes what it touches. But because the mouth is also where speech is produced, the original Bible languages inherently contain an association between a two-edged sword and the word. Cuts in any direction.
The word of God as revealed in the scriptures and teachings of living prophets is versatile and applicable in many situations for our blessing or condemnation, our edification, inspiration, instruction, or chastisement. And as we “treasure up in [our] minds continually the words of life” (D&C 84:85), the word of God is then “quick and powerful,” “lively and active” as we share it with others and apply it in our own lives.
The phrase “two-edged” is taken from the Greek word distomos and is unquestionably one of the oddest words in the entire New Testament.
Why is it so odd?
Because it is a compound of the word di, meaning two, and the word stomos, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. Thus, when these two words are compounded into one (distomos), they describe something that is two-mouthed!
Don’t you agree that this seems a little strange? So why would the Bible refer to the Word of God repeatedly as a “two-edged sword” or, literally, a “two-mouthed sword”?
First, that word came out of the mouth of God. Next, it came out of your mouth! When it came out of your mouth, it became a sharp, “two-edged” — or literally, a “two-mouthed” — sword.
- One edge of this sword came into existence when the Word initially proceeded out of God’s mouth.
- The second edge of this sword was added when the Word of God proceeded out of YOUR mouth!
God’s Word is able to penetrate the heart of a person and bring about change, and unlike a physical sword, it leaves no external scar. Acts 5:33 KJV – 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. Acts 7:54 KJV – 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Interested in more topics like this? Visit our Bible Topics page for a complete A-to-Z guide!
A Sword Is Essentially a Weapon of Destruction
In its application in wartime, a two-edged sword was a powerful, efficient killing machine. It took out the enemy with precision and efficiency. No matter which way it was swinging, it was taking out the enemy.
In its application to the spirit, it destroys wrong doctrine quickly and powerfully. It destroys wrong attitudes. It destroys wrong actions. Whatever it touches, in any direction, it brings decisive and swift destruction! (Divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart!)
It doesn’t just know what you’re thinking, it knows WHY you’re thinking it! 🙂
Even if you try to conceal wrong actions with reason…the word will uncover and reveal even your motives. It gets right to the bottom, to the root of actions.
(In the same way, the Word of God can even separate spiritual things that seem completely intertwined, such as the soul and spirit. This is not meant to be literal, as the Bible often uses these terms interchangeably. Rather, this is a graphic explanation of how completely God’s Word can distinguish between the godly and ungodly.
To man, the soul and spirit seem indistinguishable, but the Word of God can—metaphorically—even discern between these. This incredible “cutting” power of Scripture is therefore a tool to separate our very thoughts into good and evil.
Want to learn how to read the Bible effectively? Click here for a simple, practical guide to Bible study!
The Bible provides everything we need to know the difference between truly selfless, spiritual deeds, and acts that are actually selfish and ungodly (Matthew 7:21–23). Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees describes how outwardly pious behavior itself is not always obedience (Matthew 23). It is possible to read the Word and yet fail to follow God’s will, due to rebellion (2 Peter 3:16) or pride (John 5:39–40).
The context of this verse is crucial. Verse 11 warned Christians to strive to obey God, lest we lose our heavenly rewards. Here in verse 12, we are reminded that the Word gives us all the power we need to learn the true will of God (Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:9). Verse 13 will point out that God’s judgment is impossible to escape: nobody is beyond His sight (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Even so, only in Christ do we find a God who truly understands our failures (Hebrews 4:14–16). How do we find the word? Where do we get it?
Luke 21:33 KJV – 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
John 1:14 KJV – 14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 14:15-17 KJV –15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray for the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:17 KJV – 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
So, yes, we have a written word in the Bible… But we have the word living in us!
But we also have the living word, the spirit of God, the spirit of truth, living in us. Leading us, guiding us into all truth. Telling us when we’re doing right…and wrong. John 16:13 KJV – 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV – 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. The disciples spoke the word of God…and it accomplished the mission!
Daniel Lantis has been a pastor and professional speaker for over 41 years, dedicating his life to serving Christ. Throughout his journey, he has given generously, whether it’s money, cars, or buildings, and has never lacked anything in return. He encourages others to give their resources to Jesus, trusting that He will provide abundantly.
