Biblical Imagery
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
Not only does the Bible compare itself to fire and seed as we have noted in the prior two weeks, it also refers to itself as a sword.
This imagery was introduced to many of us early in life when we participated in sword drills. These drills encouraged familiarity with the Bible and facility in using it.
When listing the spiritual armor that belongs to believers Ephesians 6:17 includes “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This imagery suggests that the Bible is an instrument or tool of the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible’s writing and continues to enlighten the understanding of what is written in it.
The same imagery is employed in Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” The imagery of a two-edged sword suggests either that the truth of the Bible cuts in more than one direction or that divine truth is doubly sharp.
The Prophet Ezekiel received a word from the Lord about divine judgment that he was told to proclaim: “Son of man, prophesy and say, thus says the Lord. Say: a sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished. Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter, polished to flash like lightning” (Ezek. 21:9–10).
Like a sharpened and polished sword, the Bible is always ready as God’s instrument in human affairs. It sits waiting for us to open it, read it, believe it and apply it.
A mighty instrument
God’s instructions for Ezekiel included, “Swords at the ready! Thrust right! Set your blade! Thrust left — wherever your edge is ordered!” (Ezek. 21:16)
A single-edged sword can cut in either direction but in only one direction at a time, while a two-edged one can cut either to the right or to the left, making it a mighty instrument in spiritual warfare. God’s word is all edge, striking accurately and powerfully at wickedness, ungodliness, error and falsehood.
Like a sharpened and polished sword, God’s word in the hand of His Holy Spirit is a penetrating instrument of divine truth. Its truth pierces to the inner conscience of humans. With penetrating effect biblical truth cuts and divides. It divides between good and evil, between what is of God and what is not of God, what is divine and what is merely human, what is of the Spirit and what is of the flesh.
Biblical truth cuts to the heart of the matter, not merely to outward appearances. As Hebrews 4:12 declares, this sword of the Spirit is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Daily warfare
Like a polished and sharpened sword in the hand of a skilled warrior the Bible in the hands of the Holy Spirit is alive and powerful. Its truth can penetrate the heart to prune away impure thoughts and selfish motives. It is a mighty weapon in the daily warfare against spiritual enemies.
God’s truth in Scripture is a sure safeguard against the wiles and lies of the devil. Biblical truth can cut away the works of the flesh in order that we might be equipped to live in victory over the influences of the world around us.
However, if by neglect we allow this sword of the Spirit to become rusty its effectiveness is seriously curtailed. God’s call is for each of us to keep it polished and sharpened, ready for immediate use.
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