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Swords aren’t really something we’re all that familiar with in the year of our Lord, Two-thousand and Twenty-Four. We watch historical epics or fantasy films, we have battles when wrapping paper tubes run dry each holiday season, we visit that odd castle out in Bellville (shout out to Newman’s Bakery)…but we don’t carry a sword around as a means of protection, we don’t (usually) know the craft that goes into producing hardened steel, and we’re not aware of what a sword can do in the hands of a master swords person.

There’s a video bouncing around the internet showing a class learning to use a katana, a Japanese sword. Large, strong students hack at a rack of bamboo with their sword, usually making it through 2-3 shoots before getting stuck. Finally, a master walks up, uses the exact same sword, and cuts cleanly through the entire set-up: seven bamboo shoots spanning about three feet across. The look on the faces of his students is priceless–they realize that they’re missing something in their training in order to use the sword properly and to its fullest potential.

Ephesians 6:17 refers to the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” in the overall discussion of the armor of God. The word of God–the Bible–is a phenomenal tool. Anyone can use it to access the will of God, anyone can read it…but in the hands of a master, truly amazing things can happen. We get to this stage by training, over and over. We listen to the Spirit, the guide God has provided to steer us through this life. We sit at the feet of those who have gone before us, gleaning their wisdom and learning from their experience. Finally, we’re able to use our spiritual sword to cut through the obstacles the world throws in front of us.

Use the armor of God to defend yourself, but don’t forget to play a little offense as well. Time to start your training!

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40

Jason Henderson
Secondary Education Principal
Logos Preparatory Academy