The Dull Ax of the Spirit

I'm sure you're familiar with Paul's description of the "armor of God" in Ephesians 6:11-17. Specifically, in verse 17, Paul urges us as soldiers of Christ to "take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The Bible, or God's word, is called a "sword."

In Hebrews 4:12, this sword is described as being one of great power: "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."

Having established those fundamental points from the New Testament regarding the sword of the Spirit, consider with me this unlikely verse from Ecclesiastes...

"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success" (Eccl. 10:10).

In other words, if you try to chop wood with a dull ax, you're going to have to work twice as hard to get the job done. Even though it may take time to sharpen the blade, it'll make your work go twice as fast, and you'll have to use less strength to chop the wood.

Now here's the point...

Are we wielding a powerful two-edged sword or a dull ax?

There are many, many Christians who do not know how to study the Bible. They know that they should study, and so they open up God's word and read random chapters. There is a small feeling of accomplishment when a chapter is read or a book is finished, but in the end, such an approach to God's word yields few benefits.

Some folks fail to "rightly divide" the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Others, perhaps because of their own ignorance, twist the Scriptures unto their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16). Jesus spoke of those who were led away by false teachers and who were blind to the truth (Mt. 15:14). Paul wrote about those who are "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7).

If you don't approach Bible study with the right mindset, and if you don't put in the time to really, truly study and analyze its content, then you're ultimately wielding, not a powerful, two-edged sword, but a dull ax. You'll have to work twice as hard to gain true knowledge and divine wisdom.

So "sharpen the blade." Learn HOW to study, memorize Scripture, cross-examine verses, take notes, check your progress, put your knowledge to use by teaching others, allow yourself to be taught (2 Tim. 2:2). Then you'll not only become that man of God, "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:17), but your speech will be more seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6) and you'll be in a better position to give reasons for your faith (1 Pet. 3:15).

Which are you wielding? The sword of the Spirit? Or the dull ax of the Spirit?