Whose Wielding the Sword?

Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Who is wielding the Sword? Which Sword do you ask? You know, the Sword of the Spirit. That's the Sword that we are supposed to carry and use as both a defensive and offensive weapon. However, here is where I have to stop and differentiate for us the meaning of the word "offensive". When I say the Sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon, I mean that it is a weapon that is used to launch an attack; a spiritual attack on the enemy, not an attack on a brother or sister in Christ, or an unsaved person we are trying to lead to Jesus. Sadly, I see far too many of us using the Sword of the Spirit as an offensive (different pronunciation and meaning) weapon, causing pain and resentment in those we share the Word of God with. The difference in the way we use the Sword comes down to who it is that is wielding it. When we take it upon ourselves to take control of the Sword, allowing our emotions, and our pride, to handle the swings and thrusts, we end up slicing and dicing people to bits, spiritually speaking. We let our knowledge of Scripture puff us up and make us feel more spiritual, when we give others a piece of our self righteous minds. On the other hand, when we prayerfully let the Spirit, in us, handle the Sword that belongs to Him, He leads us in how to skillfully use the Sword to heal the wounds that already exist in the lives of others. We can either go at someone and hack away at them, and their lives, leaving them wounded and bleeding out, or we can, like a skilled surgeon, use the Sword of the Spirit to cut in such a way that the healing process begins; a process that begins with the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. So today, before we open our mouths to share Christ, or even lovingly correct a brother or sister in Christ, let us remember to first pray and ask the Spirit to help us wield the Sword that belongs to Him; not to make us feel more spiritual, but for the benefit of those we speak to, and for God's glory alone.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).