“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.” –Matthew 10:34-36
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12
“… the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”– Ephesians 6:17
Although Jesus is often referred as “The Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6, what He has brought to the Earth, which was the Word (John 1:14), has produced anything but peace among people. The Word is referred in scripture as “the Sword of the Spirit” that is to be used for correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
What is the purpose of a sword? It is a both an offensive and defensive bladed weapon used for cutting, slicing, and thrashing. Christians are well-equipped when we use “The Sword” to attack all demonic strongholds and falsehoods that rise against us- and even the sinful nature and depravity within ourselves.
The Word of God is sharp enough to penetrate and pierce through the corruption and wickedness of our hearts when it reaches us. It has the power to cut into our flesh, which is where our deepest, most evil desires lie. It also has the power to slice and divide the righteous from the unrighteous, the doers of the Word from hearers of the Word, the sheep from the goats, even if the division occurs among those within the same household and share the same blood.
Many times, I have spoken the Word of God to those I love for the purpose of offering truth and pointing them to the One who is all-knowing when I don’t have any answers; but it has often fallen on deaf ears. I’ve even received push-back and was scolded for “preaching” or “being self-righteous”. Conflict and dysfunction continue to brew among myself and those I love, only because I speak the Word of the Lord. My feelings were hurt in those moments, because I knew that my intentions were pure, correct and led by the Holy-Spirit. But God reassured me in those moments, “Child, it is not you that they are angry at; it is Me. My Word is being sent out to their hearts and it is cutting them where it hurts.”
Because the Word of God is a sword, we must be discerning of who we continue share it with. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”– Matthew 7:6
The Lord calls us to deliver His Word and to share the Gospel, but we still must come to terms with the fact that some sinners are not meant to get saved through us. Sometimes we are just the seed planters, not the harvesters. Even Jesus was hated in His own hometown.
The Word of God is more valuable than silver and more precious than gold to the sinners that yearn for righteousness and desire to know God. But it is offensive to the sinners that want to continue to lie around and get dirty in their sin, much like swine. It cuts deep into their flesh, right where it hurts.
Regardless of who we share the Word with and where we scatter these seeds, it will never return void and will achieve the purpose for which the Lord sends it (Isaiah 55:11). Even when rebuked by a sinner not prepared to repent, you can rest in knowing that there is purpose in the Lord sending out His word through you to that person. So sow your seeds of faith where God instructs you to do so, but also listen to Him when He tells you it is time to shake the dust off your shoes and allow Him to start the work with what you’ve planted in their hearts. (Matthew 10:14).
