{"id":21823,"date":"2023-01-05T16:26:21","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T16:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thescripturecache.com\/?p=21823"},"modified":"2023-01-05T16:26:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-05T16:26:21","slug":"the-two-edged-sword","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thescripturecache.com\/?p=21823","title":{"rendered":"The Two-Edged Sword"},"content":{"rendered":"

Views: 6<\/p>

[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sharp Word<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In a most expressive figure, the writer to the Hebrews compares the Word of God to a sword, an offensive weapon of war. This is a reminder that God\u2019s people are in a war, a death struggle, and our own faithfulness in combat will determine not only our own eternal victory but that of many others. Therefore, we must \u201cwar the good warfare\u201d (1 Tim. 1:18) as \u201cgood soldiers of Jesus Christ\u201d (2 Tim 3:3). In preparing for battle, we have many pieces of armor but only one weapon, the \u201csword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God\u201d (Eph. 6:17). However, we need none other, for it is abundantly adequate to teach, reprove, correct, instruct, rebuke, and exhort (2 Tim. 3:16; 4:2). God\u2019s Word, under the figure of a sword, is described as to its mighty capabilities:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. It is sharp. <\/strong>It is not merely a single-bladed instrument but one with a keen edge on both sides. Such an instrument is able to pierce and cut in all directions and to do so deeply and quickly. God\u2019s Word is even sharper than such a finely honed, double-edged combat sword. This same striking figure was seen in John\u2019s visions of Christ on Patmos: \u201c\u2026and out of His mouth proceeded a sharp, two-edged sword\u201d (Rev. 1:16; Compare with 19:15).<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. It pierces.<\/strong> Its penetrating power is due to its keen double-edged \u201cblade.\u201d Although a different word is used, the idea is the same when the Lord describes those on Pentecost and those in Stephen\u2019s audience as \u201cpricked in their heart\u201d and \u201ccut to the heart,\u201d respectively (Acts 2:37; 7:54).<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. It divides.<\/strong> As a literal sword partitions the living flesh of its victim as it penetrates, so the Word of God is so powerfully effective and sharp as to penetrate and divide matters within the depths of man\u2019s spiritual nature. \u201cJoints and marrow\u201d are obviously not to be taken literally for two reasons: (1) They are not in contact with one another; the marrow is inside the bones which are connected at the joints. (2) The spiritual sword does not have any effect upon the physical structure of man\u2019s body. \u201cJoints and marrow\u201d is a figurative reference to the innermost recesses of man\u2019s spiritual nature. \u201cThe Word of God\u2026 divides and lays bare the soul and spirit even to the extent of their joints and marrows.\u201d1<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. It discerns.<\/strong> \u201cDiscern is from kritikos,<\/em> \u201cskilled in judging.\u201d2<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The usual New Testament meaning being \u201cto sift out and analyze evidence.\u201d In the word kritikos<\/em>, the ideas of discrimination and judgment are blended. Thus, the Word of God is able to penetrate into the furthermost recesses of a person\u2019s spiritual being, sifting out and analyzing the thoughts and intents of the heart. 3<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    The searching and judging power of God\u2019s Word is such that it penetrates and exposes the depths of the inner man. It is that \u201cmirror of the soul\u201d that does not deceive us when we gaze into it. It is only by knowledge of the Word of God that we have our \u201csenses exercised to discern good and evil\u201d (Heb. 5:14).<\/span><\/p>\n

    When the sword pierces and discerns, one of two results will occur: When the sharp, piercing, dividing, discerning Sword of God\u2019s Word did its work on Pentecost, those who were \u201cpricked in their heart\u201d by it immediately realized their guilt and cried out, \u201cWhat shall we do?\u201d (Acts 2:37). When the same sharp sword did its work on Stephen\u2019s audience and they were \u201ccut to the heart\u201d as the faithful words of the evangelist found their mark, rather than repenting of the sins of which Stephen\u2019s words convicted them, they violently seized the preacher and stoned him to death. Some who are pierced by the sword of the Spirit rebel, perhaps even violently, while others are brought to humbly seek peace with God by conformity to His will. However, in both reactions, the discerning power of God\u2019s Word in the spirit of man is clearly demonstrated. Again, if we preach a spineless and diluted message that is purposely designed to stir guilt in the vilest sinner, we rob it of its discerning power. The Lord\u2019s sharp sword does its work on man\u2019s spiritual nature. I agree with Milligan\u2019s summary of the sword\u2019s piercing and dividing work:<\/span><\/p>\n

    The separation takes place within the region of the soul and the region of the spirit, not between them. The living Word cleaves and lays bare all parts of the soul and all parts of the spirit, even to the extent of their joints and marrows, so that all the perfections and imperfections of man\u2019s spiritual nature are made perfectly manifest. And not only so, but even the thought and purposes of the heart are, by this infallible Judge, fully analyzed and perfectly classified. 4<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    The Completed Word<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>After summarizing how God had in earlier ages revealed His will to men, the Hebrews writer then said that God \u201chath \u2026spoken unto us in His Son\u201d (Hebrews 1:1\u20132). The inspired writer makes it clear that the last medium of God\u2019s revelation to man was His Son. God\u2019s Son taught and preached constantly during the last years of His earthly life, ever conscious that He was revealing the Father\u2019s Will: \u201dFor I spake not from myself, but the father that sent me, He hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak\u201d (John 12;49). Moreover, Christ was aware that His Word was God\u2019s final revelation. Thus, He says that men who reject His Word will eventually be judged by it (John 12:48).<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In giving God\u2019s final revelation to men, Christ not only spoke much of it personally, but he also employed other worthy men through whom he spoke. The twelve apostles were granted at least some measure of inspiration to equip them for their very first preaching assignment: \u201cIt shall be given to you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father that speaketh in you\u201d (Mat. 10:19\u201320). As the Lord tried to prepare them for His fast-approaching departure from them, He promised them more specifically that \u201cwhen He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He shall guide you into all the Truth: \u201c\u2026for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, these<\/em> shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come\u201d (John 16:13).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Christ also empowered the apostles so they could confer the gift of inspiration as well as other miraculous abilities on certain others (Acts 8:6\u20138; 8:14\u201319; 2 Tim. 1:6, etc.). Such explains how Mark, Luke, and James could write by inspiration while not being apostles. Let it be clearly noted that the work of all the New Testament writers is quite accurately termed the work of the Son, for it was work done by His command and power. Let it also be noted that all the non-apostolic New Testament books (Mark, Luke, Acts, James) were written no later than 70 A.D., giving them ample time to have been renounced and repudiated by the apostle John had they been uninspired. Yet, history shows that they were freely accepted as inspired accounts and for this reason are incorporated into the New Testament canon.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Perhaps the most significant thing to note about the promise of inspiration to the apostles is the phrase, \u201che shall guide you into all the truth\u201d (John 16:13. This promise demands the following:<\/span><\/p>\n