The Bible: The “Frozen” Sword that Brings Victory!
The Apostle Peter encourages the scattered faithful, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3, NASB). He has provided for us a Hope, “a living hope” as Peter put it, same chapter and verse in his previous letter (I Pet. 1:3). He has given us promises, “great and precious promises” he calls them (2 Pet. 1:4). He has given us the deposit of the Holy Spirit within to teach us, guide us, and when necessary convict us. He has given us one another, “the fellowship of the saints,” the Church and Bride of Christ to encourage us, confirm God’s will in us, hold us in account, and uphold us by prayers. And He has given us prayer itself, an open line to the Father, access His throne and the right to do so with boldness (Heb. 4:16).
He has also given us His Word, created through agency but nonetheless His own — “God-breathed,” as we are soon to see…
The Amplified Bible expands nuances of the Greek within brackets. Though this may make the translation difficult to read it can often be a helpful study resource. It states 2 Timothy 3:16-17 like this…
“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the [a] man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, AMP).
In Ephesians we are urged to “put on the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:13) and a part of this outfit includes its only item of assault, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v.17).
A steeping of oneself in the Word of God is essential to victorious Christian living. The psalmist David confesses to God, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” The incarnate Christ demonstrated its power in the 40 day prequel to his ministry, alone in that wilderness and harassed by the devil. “It is written..,” He cited, three times, effective against three temptations: temptations of flesh, of glory, and of kingdom (Matt. 4:4,6,10).
The Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, which is “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,” the sword which “penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow” and “judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12).
Believer, seize hold of it well! Like Eleazar “who stood his ground and struck down the Philistines,” let your hand, though it grows tired, be “froze to the sword” till the Lord brings about each “great victory” (2 Sam. 23:10).
Press on…
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