Imagine a platoon of soldiers going off to war. As they march toward the battle, they’re ambushed by an experienced enemy.
The enemy pulls out the sharpest swords and attacks the soldiers. The soldiers pull out their swords, but the blades are dull.
We know how this story will end.
The Bible validates the reality of spiritual warfare (Eph 6:12). Every Christian engages in a spiritual battle daily.
Sometimes we use fleshly methods to deal with spiritual matters, like lashing out when people mistreat us. Situations never end well when we utilize worldly ways.
But when we use the Sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God—we invite the Lord to intervene in our circumstances, and the outcome is different.
Do you know how to sharpen your sword? It’s crucial we understand how to skillfully use and maintain the Sword of the Spirit.
The Key to Victory in Spiritual Battles
We see a masterful display of wielding the Sword of the Spirit in Luke 4. Jesus demonstrated the superiority of His Word over the kingdom of darkness by responding to temptations with the Word of God.
First, while Jesus fasted for 40 days, Satan tempted Jesus with bread (4:4). Then, Satan promised to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him (4:5–7).
But Jesus didn’t take the bait and sharply rebuked Satan using God’s Word (4:8).
Satan tried one more maniacal trick. Knowing the Son of God is divinely protected, he challenged Jesus to throw Himself from a high mountain so the angels of God could rescue Him (4:9–11).
But Jesus was anchored in the scriptures, and, yet again, He used God’s Word to defeat Satan a third time (12).
As Christ’s followers, we can imitate Jesus in word and deed. The Son of God, when walking Earth in the flesh as a human being, submitted to God and resisted Satan with Scripture.
We should do the same.
5 Ways to Sharpen Your Sword
A sharp sword is vital for victory in battle. You can be ready for spiritual attacks using these five techniques to sharpen your sword.
1 – Spend Time in the Word
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4–5 NKJV
Jesus is the Living Word. We should be rooted in Jesus and nurture our connection to be fruitful.
Fruitfulness includes accurately wielding the Sword of the Spirit.
Who better to learn from than Jehovah Tsaba, the Lord Our Warrior?
Cultivate a daily habit of spending time in the Bible. One way to accomplish this is by using a Bible reading plan.
2 – Pray the Word
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
God’s Word prospers wherever it’s sent.
Praying the infallible Word of God is a proven way to invite God’s purposes and power into our prayers. We can use Scripture as prayers by repeating what the Word says and coming into agreement with it.
For example, you could turn to 2 Timothy 1:7 when afraid and pray something like this:
“Father, I thank you Jesus came so I could have an abundant life, free from the torment of fear. Your Word says you have given me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. I thank you for the faith and courage to live a fearless life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
3 – Meditate on the Word
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”- Psalm 1:2-3 NKJV
A person who reflects on Scripture experiences blessing from the Lord. Meditation helps the Bible seep below the surface and plant itself deep inside our soul.
When the Word becomes rooted in our hearts, we experience deep transformation in our lives.
To practice meditation, try this exercise:
- Find a quiet spot.
- Read Psalm 23:1.
- Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart to His truth in this verse.
- Write down your thoughts. Note specific ways this Scripture applies to your life.
4 – Be a Doer of the Word
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24–25 NKJV
Jesus made a clear distinction between those who “hear” the Word and those who “do” the Word.
Doers of Scripture are wise and survive every storm that comes against them.
Prayerfully consider an area in your life where you should become a “doer” of the Word. Take action to show obedience to Jesus in this revealed area.
5 – Community Centered on the Word
“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” – Proverbs 27:17 NKJV
Building relationships with other believers fine-tunes spiritual giftings and helps us become better warriors.
When we’re trained and challenged by those who are wiser and stronger, we’re more likely to rise to the top of our games.
Seek the counsel of a mature believer in an area where you’re struggling and see how it enhances your journey.
Sharpen Your Sword for Spiritual Victory
The Sword of the Spirit is an indispensable offensive and defensive weapon every believer should employ to experience fruitfulness and make an impact.
As we engage with and apply Scripture, we grow into healthy, discerning, and productive Christians.
We progress from infancy to adulthood, from milk to meat, from crawling to running.
The Bible helps us become seasoned warriors, fortified for future battles, and capable of helping others achieve victory in their lives for God’s glory.
How can you sharpen your sword today?
Felicia Harris-Russell
Felicia Harris-Russell dedicated 35 years to various roles in Christian ministry. She is passionate about helping people develop a personal relationship with Jesus and grow as disciples. Felicia lives in Georgia with her husband, Ben. She enjoys reading, writing, mystery shows, solving jigsaw puzzles, and walking in the park. Connect with her on her website.
