Shalom,

I didn't plan on using Sparkling Gems from Rick Renner again today, but I could NOT pass up this lesson from today's devotion! Ephesians 6:17:

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

I have always liked pictures like the one below! They stir me up to remember how very powerful the Word of God is!

BUT, the lesson we're going to look at today may change the image on the inside of you! Here is a portion:

I want you to look at the word "sword" in this verse. It is the Greek word machaira - a word that exacted fear in the minds of those who heard it! You see, this wasn't just a sword, but a weapon of murder that caused the victim horrid pain as he lay bleeding to death. Just for your knowledge, there were various types of swords used by the Roman army during New Testament times. For instance, there was a huge double-handed sword - a sword so massive that it could only be utilized with the use of two hands. This sword could not be used in real combat because it was too huge. Instead, it was used during sword practice sessions because it helped develop stronger muscles as soldiers swung it against a post that represented an enemy. There was also a long sword that was used for fighting in a battle, similar to the sword we are familiar with today. This sword was very effective in battle, but it more often wounded the enemy than it killed him. Because it was long, it was most often swung at an enemy from the side, thus scraping or cutting a gouge into the side or limbs of an adversary.

BUT, these are NOT the type of sword that Paul is referring to here! Look at this:

But the weapon referred to in Ephesians 6:17, coming from the Greek word machaira, was neither of these swords. This sword was an exceptionally brutal weapon. Although it could be up to nineteen inches in length, most often it was shorter and shaped like a dagger-type sword.

Just as a dagger is inserted into a victim at close range, this sword was used only in close combat. It was razor sharp on both sides of the blade. The tip of the sword often turned upward; sometimes it was even twisted, similar to a cork screw. Because this dagger-type sword was razor sharp, it could easily be thrust into the abdomen of an adversary. And if it had a cork-screw tip, the attacker could shred the insides of a victim by twisting the sword.

All these characteristics made the machaira a very deadly and frightful weapon. This two-edged, dagger-type sword inflicted a wound far worse than any other sword that was available to the Roman soldier at that time. Although the other swords were deadly, this one was a terror to the imagination! 

Here are a few pictures of what they may have looked like!

By using the word machaira in Ephesians 6:17, the apostle Paul is saying that God has given the Church of Jesus Christ a weapon that is frightful to the devil and his forces. Why is this weapon so horrific to the kingdom of darkness? Because it has the razor-sharp power to slash our demonic foes to shreds!

In order to properly and powerfully use a weapon, you must KNOW the weapon! Spend the time that is necessary meditating on the Word of God so that when the opportunity arises, and it will, YOU will be prepared to wield effectively this most dangerous of weapons! Dangerous to darkness, that is! Life-giving to US! AMEN! Here is a powerful song to get inside of you! Hillsong's "Run":

Shalom in Him!