A sword is used for hand-to-hand combat, a how for distant warfare. Both weapons are mentioned in connection with the providential judgments which will fall upon the earth following the rapture of the Church to heaven (Rev. 6:22And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2).4). The general order of the seal judgments bear out what is easily seen today. Often before there is bloodshed (the sword), men of power who are removed from the immediate situation exercise control by means of intimidation (the bow).
The believer is to take up the sword and the bow in a spiritual way. As the Lord's disciples were slow to grasp this truth (Luke 22:36, 3836Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:36)
38And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. (Luke 22:38)), so are many of the Lord's people today. The word translated armor in Eph. 6:1313Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13) is panoplia, the complete equipment used by heavily armed infantry. Thus the word armor embraces more than defensive weaponry. The sword of the Spirit is the only obvious weapon mentioned in this passage.
If there is to be spiritual victory in our lives, and a pathway according to the mind of God, it can only he gained by the sword of the Spirit. The Word of God gives us direction, wisdom, and courage. During the reign of King Saul, there were just a couple of swords available to combat the Philistines, the enemy within the land (1 Sam. 13:19-2219Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: 20But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. 21Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. 22So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. (1 Samuel 13:19‑22)). While the Word of God is the one sword we all need, its use must be learned experimentally in an individual way. The Philistines made it a priority to keep the Hebrews from obtaining swords. So, the powers of darkness today are making a concentrated effort lest the saints of God learn to use the sword of the Spirit.
Forks and Goads
The most important distinction about the sword is that it is the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God applied by the Spirit of God. It cannot be used effectively without dependence upon God and communion with God (John 18:1010Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (John 18:10)). Immediately following the instruction of taking the sword of the Spirit, Paul speaks of supplication in the Spirit which is the bow, or prayer.
In David's lamentation over the death of Saul and Jonathan, he desired that the children of Judah would be taught the use of the bow, the lack of which perhaps had cost them the victory. How many spiritual battles have been lost because prayer has been neglected.
Battles Lost
Even the mighty cannot stand against the attacks of the enemy unless God's weaponry is used. The children of Ephraim carried bows, but turned back in the day of battle (Psa. 78:99The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. (Psalm 78:9)). We must use the bow, not simply carry one. "Lord, teach us to pray." Luke 11:11And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1).
We may be of help to others by using the sword of the Spirit, but we must have some type of contact with them. But the bow, prayer, can be used effectively without the recipient of our prayer even having knowledge of it. So Paul in prison rejoiced that through the Philippians' prayer, his situation would result in positive spiritual gain even if others were preaching Christ of contention and strife. Paul did not point to their visits or letters of encouragement, which were extremely few, but to their prayer. Their prayer resulted in Christ being magnified in His servant. What a valuable, untapped resource we have in prayer.
We must confess we know little of correctly using the sword or the bow. The sword of the Spirit is living, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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. (Hebrews 4:12)), so we must use it with wisdom and self-judgment (2 Cor. 4:22But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)). But let us not lay it aside as the enemy continues to make inroads into the lives of God's people. Rather, let us take it up in earnestness and in the fear of God. The Word of God is infinitely better than the best of human wisdom. Nor let us hang up our bows as if prayer is an outdated form of warfare. Instead, let us continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving (Col. 4:22Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)). "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:1616Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16). As Paul looked onward to what would come in after his decease, he said: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace" Acts 20:3232And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32). We have these same resources today. May we avail ourselves more of them.
W. Brockmeier