The Missing Sword

    We were walking along the enjoyable boardwalk in Duck, North Carolina, when we came across this pirate standing behind the corner of a building.  Whether he was hiding in order to accost unsuspecting passersby, or hiding because he was fearful that he couldn't defend himself -- I wasn't sure.  You will notice that something is missing that's very important to a pirate -- did you spot it?

    Of course, his sword is missing from its hilt.  A hilt without the other end of the sword is pretty useless and I'm not sure why Mr. Pirate is still holding onto it.  Perhaps he doesn't even realize that his sword is missing!  Is that even possible?

    Yeah, I think it's possible that a person might not even realize that his or her sword is no longer attached to its hilt.  This reminds me of Christians who still think they have a good grasp on their faith, but they've let the real weapon that gave them power break away -- and they seem to be unaware that it's gone.  And what is the spiritual weapon I'm referring to?  It's the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God," Ephesians 6:17.  The Holy Bible -- God's very words lovingly written in a long, detailed letter to His creation. 

    The sword of the Bible is a real weapon -- a mighty weapon.  In fact Paul described it like this, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," Hebrews 4:12.  Wow!  That is a powerful weapon indeed -- yet, how many Christians fail to take up that mighty weapon and use it as we, "wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places," Ephesians 6:12?

    Too many times, we stand like that emasculated pirate, made weaker and less effective without the weapon that can hold the powers of darkness at bay.  If we neglect the word of God and fail to hold it in our hearts and on our lips, we are failing to use one of our strongest weapons and its easier for the enemy to get the upper hand.  In the book of John, Jesus said, "...without Me you can do nothing," 15:5, but, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed," 8:31.

    The importance, value and blessing of God's Word cannot be overstated.  Paul reminded young Timothy of this truth in his second letter, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work," 3:16-17.

    That missing sword in the hand of our pirate is looking more ominous with every verse from the Bible.  He may as well hold his hands up in defeat and slink back to his ship.  Or, better yet, he needs to get himself a sword like any self-respecting pirate and defend himself.

    How about you?  Are you a mighty Christian, holding the Sword of the Word in your hand and heart, a mighty warrior for the Lord?  Or, are you holding an empty hilt without a sword, wrestling against principalities and darkness in your own power and failing to win the battle because of neglect of God's Word?  The remedy is simple -- as the child's song says, "Read your Bible, pray everyday and you'll grow, grow grow!"

    It's a jungle out there!  We need "to put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," Ephesians 6:10.  And what is a warrior without a sword?  To put it bluntly, he's probably dead  - or asleep (at least in his spirit).  Paul warns:  "It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed," Romans 13:11, and then, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 2 Timothy 2:15.

                   "Have you read my #1 Best Seller?  There will be a test...." signed, God