When I was a kid, a regular church activity for children was a “sword drill“. It was designed to teach and demonstrate knowledge of the Bible. We would all stand with identical Bibles closed in a “ready” position. The leader would call out a verse reference, and the first child to open the Bible to the correct verse was the winner. I was pleased when one year I advanced from our church drill to go on to the multi-church-association drill. 🙂
It’s easy to understand why we did the drills. They are a fun way to learn how to navigate the 66 books, over 31,000 verses, and nearly one thousand pages of a typical hard-copy Bible. But why were they called “sword” drills? The idea comes from two main passages:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing 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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:12-13
…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 (describing the armor of God)
Revelation’s description of Jesus — the One who is the living Word of God — when He comes in power at the end of time says that “from his mouth came a sharp sword” (Revelation 1:16, 19:11-16). Obviously, that image is not of a literal sword, but of the power of His word. After all, we often use the term “sharp-tongued” as a metaphor to mean that someone’s speech is harsh or critical. Jesus’ sharp tongue is not like that; it’s more powerful. It has the same power as the written Bible, the power of His own authority, the same power that spoke the universe into being 1.
So, how can the Word of God can be described as a sword? What does it cut, or pierce? Letting the passage above speak for itself, the context is our inner life, our thoughts and motives: “Division of soul and spirit“, “judge the thoughts and intentions“, “all things…laid bare to… Him“.
When I see those words “laid bare”, I think of the new LiDAR technology that uses computer-enhanced radar to see through trees and other vegetation to the actual surface beneath them. God really knows us, and can see through all the obstacles that try to block us from Him.
God’s Word Cuts Through Our Excuses
Have you ever had someone call you out in a way that makes you wince “Ouch, that hurts…because I know you’re right.”? God’s Word does that regularly. It’s so easy to hide inside a shell of apathy or excuses or complacency or self-righteousness. Here are some examples from the Word that have potential to pierce those shells.
“You say you don’t have time or money for Me, but you have plenty for what you really want to do.”
In Haggai 1:2-4 and 7-9 , the prophet chides the people for slacking on their task of rebuilding the temple, even though they found time to make their own houses extra nice. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says that we put our money where our heart is. If we say that He has our heart, but our money goes to entertainment, something is wrong.
“What have you been up to? (Remember, I already know the answer.)”
God asked this of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-13, and of their son Cain in Genesis 4:9-10. The prophet Samuel asked King Saul the same question after Saul had offered sacrifices he knew were improper (1 Samuel 13:8-14). King David encountered it when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-9). Reading those stories can trigger the same realization in me when I’m trying to hide something from God and it isn’t working.
“Why do you do that? You know better!”
James 1:23-25 compares it to looking in the mirror but then immediately forgetting what I look like. Paul talks about knowing the right thing to do, and wanting to do it, but then doing the opposite (Romans 7:18-19). How often do I say “I knew I shouldn’t do that” … immediately after doing it (and sometimes even while I’m doing it!)
“Here is the standard. How do you measure up?”
Nehemiah 8:1-8 tells of the first reading of the law in the newly-rebuilt city of Jerusalem after the people’s return from exile in Babylon. Then verses 9-12 tell how he had to comfort the people who were weeping at how far they had drifted from that law. King Josiah had the same reaction when he read the re-discovered book of the law after taking over from the evil kings who had preceded him (2 Kings 22:8-13). There are so many times that the Bible points out the contrast between what I ought to do vs. what I actually do.
“I’m not interested in showmanship. I care about what’s in your heart. But that doesn’t mean that your actions don’t matter!”
Isaiah (1:11-17), Micah (6:6-8), Hosea (6:6), and Jesus (Matthew 15:1-20) all condemned religion-for-show. They all insist that God wants true heart-and-soul-deep loyalty that affects all of life. James 2:26 puts it as “…faith without works is dead.” And James 4:17 says “…to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” How’s that for a sharp stab?!
God’s Word Cuts Through Satan’s Lies
God’s Word is also a weapon that cuts through Satan’s deceit when he attacks us. We see Jesus using that sword in Matthew 4:1-11, during His temptation in the wilderness. Three times, Satan tried to get Jesus to behave contrary to His Father’s will. Each time, Jesus answered with “It is written…“, using God’s Word to counteract Satan’s twisting of the truth.
Notice, by the way, that this required Jesus to have a thorough knowledge of that Word. Even when Satan tried quoting out-of-context Scripture to make his point 2, Jesus saw through that trick. The Word is sharp, but we need to be well-trained in its use!
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
Psalm 119:11 (See also Psalm 119:74, 89-90, 101, 105, 114, 133, 160, 172)
That I may not sin against You.
God’s Word Cuts Through Our Guilt
Finally, God’s Word also cuts through the negativity in the world to remind us of the ultimate truth: He loves us and designed us for a life with Him. The stabs above are not meant to leave us wallowing in guilt; they are meant to turn us back toward Him. His grace and forgiveness penetrate even the worst of sin.
Come now, and let us reason together,”
Isaiah 1:18 (See also 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 55:7)
Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.
Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible — piercing my sin-shell, defeating Satan, cutting down everything that separates me from God — tells me so! 3
Footnotes and Scripture References
- This also harks back to one of Isaiah’s Messianic-prophecy “Servant Songs”. Isaiah 49:2 has a description of the Servant that includes “He has made My mouth like a sharp sword…“
- “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” comes from Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Scene 3) and not from the Bible. But the point is accurate.
- Here’s a group of adults singing a slightly different version. Scroll down the video to see the new lyrics.
