Unsheathe the Sword
Imagine standing on an ancient battlefield. An enemy soldier rushes toward you, his sword raised. You’re wearing every piece of armor you own. Your shield is up, ready to deflect any killing blows. You even have your sword, but it’s safely tucked away in its scabbard, so no blood would dirty the polished metal.
Quick question; who’s going to win this fight?
Ephesians 6 speaks about the armor of God. Every other piece of armor protects us. But the Sword of the Spirit is offensive. When we proclaim Scriptural truth with our mouth, we are striking out at the kingdom of darkness and renewing our mind at the same time.
Healing a Damaged Mind
A renewed mind sees people and circumstances from God’s divine perspective. But even as believers, we often don’t see the world correctly. Because the enemy has had years to mess with our minds. Soon we have a loop of condemnation which plays over and over again in our brain. Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt and rejection become our inner reality. The enemy’s lies sink their hooks deep into our soul.
But it’s a false narrative, because that’s not how our God and Creator sees us.
As Christians, we need to see ourselves through Jesus’ eyes. Because His perspective of us is the only true one.
I need to keep renewing my mind.
Think Divine Thoughts
I’ve been listening to E.M. Bounds on YouTube recently.
In one of His teachings he said most Christians use the Sword of the Spirit incorrectly. Instead of just quietly reading God’s word, we must speak the truth of the Scriptures, especially when it’s about who we are in Christ. The sword must be unsheathed or drawn. Because it’s not a powerful weapon unless it’s free and flashing in the sunlight.
Use your own words, but proclaim God’s truth over yourself until it becomes a daily habit.
The Nuts and Bolts of Transforming Your Thinking
I like to read the verse aloud first, because memorizing Scripture is important too. Then I personalize that particular Biblical truth.
Let me show you some practical examples.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8 NIV)
What Paul says in this verse is mind-boggling.
Not that we live in the kingdom of light. Or that once we dwelt in the kingdom of darkness, though both statements are true. No. Instead, this verse speaks of divine transformation.
Here’s the way I reword it before speaking the truth out loud.
I was once darkness. But now, like Jesus, I am a source of light in this world. My dark inner being has been fundamentally and permanently changed into light.
Here’s my second example.
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
I struggle with a fear of man, so I sometimes stay quiet instead of speaking up.. But 2 Timothy says the Spirit of Christ dwells in me.
My confession is almost word for word.
I’m not a timid person. Instead, the Lord has given me a Spirit of courage, love, power and self-discipline.
Adapting Old Testament Verses
We can also renew our minds using Old Testament verses.
Isaiah was speaking about the Jewish nation in this verse. But these words are true of me too.
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1 NIV)
Here’s how I would pray this verse out loud, back to my Savior.
Jesus, thanks for creating me as a unique person. You valued me enough to seek me out and redeem me, calling me by name, and choosing me to be yours forever.
Everything I just proclaimed from Isaiah 43 is true. But it’s now more personally applied.
Use your own words, but speak out, proclaiming God’s truth over yourself.
My Spiritual Point
Superheroes and villains aren’t the only one who carry flaming swords. But the sword we use is different. Because it has supernatural divine power. Renewing our minds isn’t always easy. Sometimes unsheathing the sword and using it can actually be painful, because it stirs up the ugly lie inside us, which has enormous power to emotionally wound.
But keep swinging your sword or speaking God’s word over yourself.
Inner healing eventually will come, as divine truth destroys the enemy’s lies forever.
I downloaded these images from Pixabay.com.
Resources:
I couldn’t find the sword video, but here is a taste of E.M. Bound’s teaching. He died in 1913. The Secret Weapon the Church forgot to Use
I use an app on my phone called Verse Locker. You can upload Bible verses and place them in different collections. A few of my collections are called “Sword Training 1,” etc. This app is easy to use.
