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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 344

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

Text: Ephesians 6:17

THE SWORD

There were many types of swords used in battle. Among all the types available, the Romans chose a sword that was shorter than most swords. Paul made reference to this type of sword. The apostle Paul seemed very familiar with military weaponry and thus he must have known why the Romans designed the short sword as standard issue for the army.

1. Excellent for close combat

The short sword was best in close combat situations. The longer sword would require space for the swordsman to be able to wield it effectively.

2. Excellent for fighting together in close quarters

Even as the shields were designed for the soldiers to stand together, so the short swords were best when battle situations were tight. When soldiers have to fight enemies who surround them, the short sword would prove most effective.

3. Excellent skills of sword fighting demanded from soldiers

The short sword was of course disadvantageous to the soldier facing an enemy with a longer sword. The soldier would have to make up for the shortness of his sword through training. He would have to train hard to wield his sword effectively.

A POWERFUL WEAPON

All the other pieces of armour are essentially for defence purposes. The only offensive weapon the Christian soldier has is called “the sword of the Spirit”. Is that sufficient? Let us take time to ponder the following text.

For the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
HEBREWS 4:12

God has given us the most powerful weapon we would ever need against the forces of evil. The above text highlights the power of the Word of God.

1. It is living and powerful

2. It has the sharpest cutting edge

A VITAL CHALLENGE

All who would serve the Lord as soldiers in the army must train hard so that he knows how to wield the sword of the Spirit. We face defeat when we do not know how to wield the sword of the word of God.