Introduction
I am a man of the Sword and I hope to die by the Sword. This is not the sword of Matthew 26:52 where Jesus says,
“Then said Jesus unto him (Peter), Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take up the sword shall perish with the sword.”
This is the Sword of the Spirit as in Ephesians 6:17,
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Many Christians are still erroneously taught from the pulpit that Jesus came to bring peace on earth and goodwill to men as in Luke 2:14. TPT
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For peace and a good hope are given to the sons of men.”
This proclamation was made by the Angels at Jesus’ birth. It does not represent Jesus’ mission on earth, as Jesus Himself noted below in Matthew 10: 34-38 KJV.
“Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword, for I come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
My Definitions
Lord God of Hosts
Lord of God’s heavenly army Adonai-Tza’ot (The God of the Armies of Israel). This is God’s army of heavenly hosts, unbeatable and undefeated. They are on our side. We must join with them in warfare and fight.
Sword
A weapon made for defense and offense in battles and warfare. There is the sword of man and the Sword of God.
- The sword of man is a weapon consisting typically of a long, straight, or slightly curved, pointed blade used as a weapon of death or destruction.
- The Sword of God is the sword of the Spirit mentioned in Ephesians 6:17 (see above)
- Also:
“For the word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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) KJV
“Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”: (Ephesians 6: 13,17) KJV
The Enemy
The only real enemy is Satan and his minions, not mankind, as defined by the scripture below.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) KJV
War
A conflict composed of many battles that often involve many nations seeking dominance. The “great war” is mentioned in the last battle in the book of Revelation.
A Battle
A skirmish, a battle, or a fight can lead to warfare which is composed of many battles. Some are very large battles as in the battle Jesus engaged in at Gethsemane or WWII. In this paper it refers to everything from fighting illness to, disease, relationships, differences of opinion, etc. All these are obscure and often originate in the heavens. They are attempts by Satan to get man to lose faith. Battles of this nature can last a lifetime depending on our response, our faith, and the will of God. (Read “A Tale of Three Battles” click here)
Pastor
An individual called by God and set aside, to shepherd (as a shepherd guides a flock of sheep), guide His people by feeding them from His Word and, discipline them in all manner of living a holy Christian life. His primary goal is to get his flock to walk closer to their creator and then to send them out into the world where all people will recognize them by their love one for another.
Bad Teaching and Examples from the Pulpit
Unfortunately, we have all been led by very bad teaching from the Pulpit. In years past, the Church knew little of the Bible (compared to today) and we were led by presumption and man’s interpretation of God’s Word by those who were educated and “in the know”, but had personal opinions and wrong ideas. The public was not allowed to read the Bible much less study His Word and take up the Sword. This occurred mostly in the Catholic church up to the early 1900’s where the clergy, the priests did everything from praying for the sick to blessing others. Unfortunately, although the Bible is now unchained, this continues today. In general, from my perspective, the Church in the West is very self-motivated. It preaches an easy, feel-good, Gospel. It also preaches a false Gospel of “Turn the Other Cheek”, (to read this paper click here). https://www.perryzone.com/2024/11/04/turn-the-other-cheek/ which leads many people to think of Christians as being weaklings, not willing to fight, having a mentality of “don’t get involved” and, “let it go. God’s in charge”. Today there is no Sword, we are not taught how to take up the Sword and fight (Western Churches especially). The Word of God (the Sword) is seldom preached or taught with conviction or with power that enables Christians to overcome the Word as Jesus did and preached. If you read such publications as “Voice of the Martyrs” you find a very different Church. It is almost as though it’s a different Gospel. Of course, it isn’t, only our preaching and understanding are different.
In Bible school, we engaged in some situational ethics scenarios. On one occasion we discussed, around the classroom, “What would you do if you, your family, and children were threatened with immediate death if you did not renounce Christianity?”. There were many answers. Some said they would lie to save themselves and the lives of people and children, and then repent. Others would try to negotiate. Others would preach. Some would try to physically fight their way out trusting God to interveen.When it came to my Nigerian friend from central Africa, who had first-hand knowledge of this situation among the Muslims in Niger, he simply said, “You die”. No fighting to save yourself and friends but a Spiritual stand of defiance. A resolute decision of not backing down whatever the circumstance. There were no suggestions of “should-a, could-a, would-a; just die. Everyone turned and stared at him. His definition of Christianity in action was much different than ours. But think! Isn’t Christianity dying to self and living for Him? This is expressed as action, not games, or a religion. It is the real Gospel. Yet we are often taught in Church a resemblance of the Gospel. Then we go home from church thinking, “That was nice”, and quickly forget the message. The seriousness of the Gospel is lost. It must be enforced. We must learn to fight the good fight. We must learn how to use the Sword. We will win!
” So fight with faith for the winner’s prize! Lay your hands upon eternal life, for this is your calling—celebrating in faith before the multitude of witnesses!” (1 Timothy 6:12) TPT
The Roles We Play
The Bible speaks of the Church and the five-fold ministries expressed in Ephesians 4:11. We are mislead and taught that this is the way to fight, God has given you the gift to become one of these.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” (KJV)
This should be an example of the makeup of every church’s leadership but, it isn’t. Also, we need to understand that not everyone falls into one of these categories. This was a misnomer pushed by the Charismatic movement and is often still taught by some today. People ask “What ministry do you fall into?” most answers should be “None of the above”. Maybe you just need to be a businessman a layman and a servant and a witness whereever you stand. But, I digress. Let’s just speak on one of the miniseries and how it relates to “The Way of the Sword”.
The Pastor / Shepherd
A pastor is supposed to be a Shepherd but I don’t think many know what this means. Most pastors today are businessmen who run a church. They feel responsible for the buildings, the church programs, preaching every Sunday, all finances, and overall helping the church to grow by increasing membership. If a church doesn’t grow it’s a failure and the fault of the Pastor. If you search the internet you will find all kinds of strange answers to “What is a Pastor”. I must stick to the Bible and what the Lord has shown me. If you are a pastor you lead in the descipleship of followers of Jesus Christ.
The entire flock of the shepherd must be fed in the Word (Taught on how to use the Sword), diciplined and discipled. The Shepherd is to feed his people, not fleece them as I have heard one Pastor preach. This feeding is not the same thing message every week that is designed to bring in new souls. Feed them meat from God’s Word and disciple (train) them in ways they should behave. If they are doing wrong point it out and, call them down if you have to, as Paul did to the Corinthian Churches. I see many Churches today that are social centers with women dressed provocatively, and men, women, and children behaving in an ungodly fashion in speech, jokes, the way they dress, and overall behavior. Pastors must call out for correction those engaged in such action, regardless of whether or not they feel they will lose some of the congregation and some of their biggest tithers. The Church in the book of Acts is not recognized by their numbers but by their love for one another. Our relationship with Jesus must be personal. Pastors need to get more personal with their congrigation. Make proper use of Elders and Deacons to carry on these things if the
Side Bar: My wife and I fostered many children. One, whom we adopted is now an Evangelist. In Sunday School he needed to memorize and recite a memory verse from the Bible. The verse was from the book of John chapter 13 verse 34. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;”. His response when asked to recite the verse was “Love another one”.
Isn’t this the Church in its purest form? Is our display of this kind of love recognized by others? Or, are we just thought of as being “good people”? Being a “good person” will not get you to heaven.
A Great Deception
I often hear, “Whatever happens must be what is supposed to happen. Everything is in God’s hands, it must be His will. Only He is in control.” To the unlearned, to the undecipled, this sounds true. However, this is often used as an excuse for: not wanting to get involved, or not my job, and often just plain lazyness. However, the whole counsel of God must be taken into consideration. We must take out our sword and fight to defend our faith. We must fight the enemies of light, bind them, and send them back into the darkness from which they came.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) ESV
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) ESV
“…equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21) ESV
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (Proverbs 12:11) ESV
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works…?” (James 2:14) ESV
We are equipped for battle. We are equipped to share and defend the Gospel. We are equipped to love with an unearthly love that does not quit until it consumes and conquers.
Conclusion
Recently when our president elect Donald Trump was almost assassinated He picked himself up off the ground and with blood flowing from his ear, raised his fist into the air and said “Fight, fight fight”, and fight we must. Read God’s Word, the Sword of the Spirit. Understand His will and His nature. Fight for Righteousness sake. This is what we are all called to do. Never give up.
Take your Sword out of your scabbard and fight. Die if you must. God’s will, is being done as we fight with the righteousness that has been given us. Remember, God’s will was not done with Israel in the Old Testament as is evident when Israel turned from Him many times. The United States today is turning from Him (as Israel did) in the Churches, in the government, and among the people. If we do not turn back and fight what happens will not be His will. Are you called by His name “Christian”? Do something! Our faith will die if we do nothing. This is not in God’s hands! It is in our hands to obey.
I repeat the Scripture we often go to when praying for our country.
“…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and (I will) heal their land. (but not if they sit back and do nothing)” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).
Pastors, Teachers, and God’s people; teach and live this! We, the Church, are His people, therefore show your passion for the cross. Take up the sword and (the Word of God) fight!
Enough said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16) ESV
