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(This sermon was preached at Eastview Baptist Church on February 22, 2004. All Scripture  references used in this sermon are based upon the NKJV®, unless otherwise stated) 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Introduction: Since the believer in Christ is in a spiritual battle with spiritual forces of wickedness, the Apostle Paul commanded us to put on the whole armor of God.  We are to put on the belt of truth; which is based upon the Word of God by aligning our lives with it as we apply it daily in our walk here on earth. It is this piece of armor that holds all the rest together, and when we depart from God’s Word we make ourselves vulnerable to the false teachings of the enemy.  Second we are to put on the breastplate of God’s righteousness; which begins when we accept God’s gift of Salvation through Christ, and is worn through our doing what is right in the sight of the Lord which shows itself in our character and conduct.  This protects our hearts from becoming vulnerable, disgraced and defeated by the enemy – thereby losing our testimony and witness to the lost of this world.  The third piece of armor that we are command to put on is the gospel boots; which is the basis for a firm foundation to stand upon when the attacks of doubt assail us because we are able to stand knowing our salvation is secure.  These first three pieces of armor are for the long-range preparation and protection of the believer, and are never to be taken off. Now we come to three pieces of the Christian’s armor that we are told  to take up as the need arises (Evans).  The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit are to be kept in readiness for use when the actual fighting begins, hence the verbs taking up and take as compared to put on (v.14) (MacArthur). When we obey the commands of putting on and taking up the whole armor of God, then we can have the confidence that is needed to stand firm in the heat of the battle.  Satan complains about God’s protection of Job in Job 1:10a, “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?. . .”  Do you want to know why some believers drop out or give up?  It’s because they fail to obey God’s Word  to put on and take up the whole armor of God.  When the battle begins to heat up, they are the first to throw up their hands and surrender.  They shout, I give up, I quit!  No one else is doing anything!  What’s the use! This is because they get their eyes off of the Lord, and on to someone or something else. But the soldier who listens and obeys will still be standing firm when the attack is over.   Remember the old saying, “a quitter never wins, and a winner never quits?”   Don’t be a quitter, be a winner by equipping yourself with the whole armor of God. Transition: Let’s look at the first piece of armor that we are to take up. . . I. The Shield Of Faith (v.16). 1. Its Purpose. A. To protect the entire body of the soldier. 1) Roman soldiers used several kinds of shields, but two were the most common (MacArthur). A) The first was a rather small round shield, perhaps two feet in diameter, that was secured to the arm by two leather straps. - It was relatively lightweight and was used to block the sword blows of one’s opponent in hand-to-hand fighting. B) The second kind was the thureos, to which Paul refers here (MacArthur). (1) This shield was about 2 ½ feet wide and 4 ½ feet high. (2) It was designed to protect the entire body of the soldier — who was considerably smaller than the average man today. (3) It was made of a solid piece of wood and was covered with metal or a heavy, tough leather. 2) As the soldier held the shield before him, it protected him from spears, arrows, and the “fiery darts” of the enemy (BEC). - In Paul’s day, arrows could be dipped in some inflammable substance (like tar) and ignited and shot at the enemy. B. Used in the front lines of battle. 1) This shield was used by the soldiers of the heavy infantry on the front lines (McGee). - The edges of these shields were so constructed that an entire line of soldiers could interlock shields and march into the enemy like a solid wall (BEC). 2) The soldiers would stand side by side with their shields together, forming a huge wall extending as long as a mile or more (MacArthur). A) The archers stood behind this protective wall of shields and shot their arrows as they advanced against the enemy. B) Anyone who stood or crouched behind such shields was protected from the barrage of enemy arrows and spears. (1) After a siege, one Roman soldier counted no less than 220 darts sticking into his shield. (2) The shield also protected the other pieces of the armor. Transition: Now lets look at how Paul applies this to us. . . 2. Its Application. A. It is based upon our trust in God (2Cor.1:9-10; 3:4-6; Heb.11:1-3, 6; John 10:9, 29;1Tim.6:17-19). 1) The faith spoken about here is a firm confidence in the Lord and in His word (BBC). - 2 Corinthians 3:4-6, “And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (NASB). 2) This is speaking about a resolute faith in the Lord that cannot be swayed by the attacks of the enemy. - Colossians 2:6-7, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” 3) When a believer fails to be rooted and grounded in their faith they are in danger of being conquered when the enemy attacks. - 1 Timothy 1:19, “holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (NIV). B. It is used by putting our faith into practice (Rom.1:17; Gal.3:11; Heb.10:38; 2Tim.4:7; James 1:23-25) . 1) The best of shields is useless, unless it picked up and used. 2) We are saved by our faith in Christ, but if that faith is going to useful and meaningful in our present life, then we must put it into use. - This is what James talked about in James 2:17-20, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” C. It protects us against the fiery arrows of the Devil (1Jo.5:4, 10; Titus 1:2; Prov.8:34-35; 30:5-6; Psa.18:30). 1) Satan dips the tips of his arrows in the fleshly desires of this world to take us out the battle as its victim gets infected with sin – lets look at 5 poison tips that Satan uses; A) Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [Sexual Sins- v.19b] adultery, fornication [sex outside of marriage], uncleanness [filthiness of heart and the mind], lewdness [sexual activity that is out of control], [Spiritual Sins- v.20a] idolatry, sorcery, [Societal Sins- vv.20b-21a] hatred [hateful attitudes & personal animosities], contentions [bitter conflicts], jealousies [revealed by trying to others look bad in the eyes of others], outbursts of wrath [passionate outbursts of anger or hostile feelings], selfish ambitions [self-interest], dissensions [disunity], heresies [that which produces separation for other believers], envy [feelings of ill-will], murders, [Intemperance Sins- v.21b] drunkenness, revelries, [Other Sins- v.21c] and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told  you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” B) How can you tell if you haven’t taken up the shield of faith, look at your behavior – do any of the above descriptions describe you? (1) If we fail to take up the shield of faith, our disobedience will eventually lead to us losing our heavenly rewards (inherit: 1Cor.3:12-15; 2Cor.5:10). - We are born into a family, but all who belong to a family may not receive an inheritance. (2) Notice too, that our individual disobedience to God’s Word has an impact upon the whole body of believers (i.e., contentions, jealousies, dissensions, heresies, envy,etc.). - The whole line of defense is weakened when there are holes in it. 2) But when we take up the shield of faith, we are protected from the flaming arrows of Satan. A) Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” B) Psalm 18:30, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 3) When temptations burn, when circumstances are adverse, when doubts assail, when shipwreck threatens, take up the shield of faith and look up and say, “I believe God” (BBC). Application: The Christian faith that is required to stand firm and fight off the attacks of Satan and his army is twofold; It is a trust in all that God has revealed and an active application of that trust at the moment of spiritual attack (SL).  Arthur Pink puts it this way, “Faith is the life of all the graces. If faith be not in exercise, love, hope, patience cannot be” (Pink). We take up the shield of faith, when we put our total trust in God and not the things of this world; like our abilities and talents, or finances or buildings.  When everything looks bleak, and the enemy looks as though they are about to run us over, take up the shield of faith and hold the line, because the fiery arrows of Satan will not and cannot harm you if you keep your eyes upon Christ.  We know that we will have the victory because it is promised by God; 1 John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.”  If you have been hit by Satan’s arrows, confess your sinful wounds to the Lord (1 John 1:9) and take back up the shield of faith and join the army of God holding the battle line.  For if we don’t exercise our faith, then we cannot please God; Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Transition: The next piece of armor that we are to take up when needed is. . . II. The Helmet Of Salvation (v.17a). 1. Its Purpose. A. To protect the soldier’s head. 1) Some of the helmets were made of thick leather covered with metal plates, and others were of heavy molded or beaten metal (MacArthur). - They usually had cheek pieces to protect the face. 2) The purpose of the helmet, of course, was to protect the head from injury, particularly from the weapons used in the warfare of that day (MacArthur). A) The Roman helmet was also designed to make the soldier look taller and more impressive to his enemies (NIBC). B) A helmet, being hot and uncomfortable, would be put on by a soldier only when he faced impending danger (BKC). B. To give confidence to the soldier. 1) Knowing that your head is protected from the blows of the enemy gives a sense of safety and confidence to the soldier. 2) Without it, the soldier would be very reluctant to go into battle. Transition: Now lets look at how we use this. . . 2. Its Application. A. It is based upon our security and assurance in Christ (2Cor.4:17-18; Jude.1:1; Phil.4:13; 1Thes.5:8-9; Eph.2:8-13; John 10:9, 27-28). 1) The fact that the helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan’s blows are directed at the believer’s security and assurance in Christ (MacArthur). A) The two dangerous edges of Satan’s spiritual broadsword are discouragement and doubt. B) To discourage us he points to our failures, our sins, our unresolved problems, our poor health, or to whatever else seems negative in our lives in order to make us lose confidence in the love and care of our heavenly Father. 2) Satan wants to attack the mind, the way he defeated Eve (Gen.3; 2 Cor.11:1–3: BEC). A) The helmet refers to a mind controlled by God. (1) When God controls the mind, Satan cannot lead the believer astray. (2) The Christian who studies his Bible and learns the meaning of Bible doctrines is not going to be led astray too easily. B) Wherever Paul ministered, he taught the new converts the truths of the Word of God, and this helmet protected them from Satan’s lies (Eph. 4:21; 2 Peter 3:18). B. It is worn when we are standing firm in the midst of the battle (Luke 18:1-8; Isa.40:29-31; Gal.6:9). 1) We put on the helmet of salvation when we make mental choice to trust in God rather than in our selves or others, and when we stand in obedience to Him. 2) When we do this, we will have the strength to stand firm and hold the battle line. - Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (NIV). C. It protects us from the attacks of Satan (2Cor.3:14-17; 11:3-4; 2Tim.1:7-9). 1) Having confidence in God protects our thinking when we are under attack (SL). 2) Why can we have confidence that the helmet of salvation is sufficient to withstand Satan’s blows? Because, no matter how hot the battle, the Christian is not frightened away, since he knows that ultimate victory is sure (BBC). - 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Application: When Satan attacks you with lies, doubts and temptations, put on the helmet of salvation, turn to God’s promises and claim them and they will protect your thoughts and heart from the blows of Satan. When you feel like a failure claim Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When you feel tempted claim 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear.”  When you feel like you’re all alone claim Hebrews 13:5b, “. . .I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  When you don’t feel very loved or saved, then claim Romans 8:35, 38-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?. . .For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When Satan attacks us we don’t have to be afraid as long as we put on our helmet of salvation; 2 Timothy 1:7, 9, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. . . .who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Transition: The last piece of armor that we are to take up when needed is. . . III. The Sword Of The Spirit (v.17b). 1. Its Purpose. A. It is an offensive weapon of the soldier (MacArthur). 1) The sword to which Paul refers here is the machaira, which varied in length from six to eighteen inches. 2) It was the sword carried by the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus in the Garden (Matt.26:47), it was used by Peter when he cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave (Matt.26:51), and it was used by Herod’s executioners to put James to death (Acts 12:2: MacArthur). B. It was designed for close-in fighting (MacArthur). 1) It was the common sword carried by Roman foot soldiers and was the principal weapon in hand-to-hand combat. 2) It was carried in a sheath or scabbard attached to their belts, so that it would always beat hand and ready for use. Transition: Now lets look at how this applies to us. . . 2. Its Application. A. It is based upon the Word of God (John 14:26; 16:13; 2Pet.1:20-21; 2Tim.3:16-17). 1) The sword, the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon that God provides us (BEC). A) Hebrews 4:12 compares the Word of God to a sword, because it is sharp and is able to pierce the inner man just as a material sword pierces the body. B) You and I were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37; 5:33) when the Word convicted us of our sins. C) Peter tried to use a sword to defend Jesus in the Garden (Luke 22:47–51); but he learned at Pentecost that the “sword of the Spirit” does a much better job. D) Moses also tried to conquer with a physical sword (Ex.2:11–15), only to discover that God’s Word alone was more than enough to defeat Egypt. 2) The Holy Spirit is the source or origin of the sword; hence it is “the sword given by the Spirit” (BKC). A) It needs to be pointed out here that the Holy Spirit is God, and has given us God’s Word (it is God’s breathed) and does not operate a part from or separate from God’s Word. (1) Many believers today seek the Holy Spirit’s leading apart from God’s Word. (2) They act as if when you turn to God’s Word for direction, you are a legalist. (3) But the truth is, the Holy Spirit works in conjunction with what He has already revealed and does not teach or ask us to do what is contrary to His Word. B) 2 Peter 1:20-21, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” B. It is used when we verbally share God’s Word with others (Rom.10:8, 17; Isa.55:11; Heb.4:12; Eph. 5:26; 1Pet.1:25). 1) The Word of God talked about here isn’t the printed Word, but the spoken Word (rhema: which is based upon what has already been written). A) This refers to the preached Word or an utterance of God as we are moved by the Holy Spirit in our heart to share it with someone (BKC). B) The Word that is spoken about here is the specific word that needs to be spoken in a specific situation (NIBC). (1) To have the precise word ready, a person must know the Bible intimately. (2) 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” C. It enables us to ward-off the attaches of Satan (Matt.4:4, 7, 10). 1) When we use the sword against Satan, we are out to deal him a blow that will cripple him  and keep him from hindering God’s work (BEC). 2) When Satan tried to tempt the Lord, Jesus wielded the Word (Evans). A) Satan attacked, but Jesus answered him 3 times, “It is written,” and then defeated Satan with the Word. B) Jesus hit the enemy with the Word, and the battle was over. C) It’s a waste of time to memorize Scripture if we aren’t using it in spiritual warfare, and if we don’t memorize it then we are failing to take up the sword of the Spirit. Application: Warren Wiersbe makes this point about the sword, “A material sword pierces the body, but the Word of God pierces the heart. The more you use a physical sword, the duller it becomes; but using God’s Word only makes it sharper in our lives. A physical sword requires the hand of a soldier, but the sword of the Spirit has its own power, for it is ‘living and powerful’ (Heb. 4:12). The Spirit wrote the Word, and the Spirit wields the Word as we take it by faith and use it. A physical sword wounds to hurt and kill, while the sword of the Spirit wounds to heal and give life” (BEC).  The spoken Word of God is a powerful offensive weapon, are you ready to use it?  The Lord has given us a mightiest weapon that the world has ever seen to defend ourselves and to defeat the enemy.  Whenever we draw it from its sheaf  it will accomplish the task that God intends it for; Isaiah 55:11, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Invitation: 1. Have you noticed that everything is for the front of the believer (McGee)? A. There is no protection for his back so there is no protection for those who retreat. B. A retreating Christian is an easy target for the enemy, and will easily become a casualty of war. 2. What kind of soldier are you? A. Have you done all to equip. yourself to stand firm against Satan and his spiritual forces? B. Are you an good soldier who obeys the commands of his commander to put on and to take up the whole armor of God? - A disobedient soldier not only puts themselves in danger, but they put their fellow soldiers in harms way also. C. Without God’s armor, the believer will live a defeated life. D. If you haven’t done all, make every attempt, to be obedient to God by putting on your armor, then you need to confess your sin before God, and then take up the whole armor of God and get back into the battle. 3. If you are here and have never accepted Christ as your Savior, you are on the losing side and will someday face Jesus Christ the conquering king. A. Hebrews 10:31, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (NASB) B. The choice is yours, fall into His hands of eternal judgment, or you can fall into His loving hands of salvation. - Joshua 24:15, “. . .choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . .” C. You need to enlist in God’s army today by raising your right hand and taking the oath. -  Romans 10:9-11, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’” Study References BBC - William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary. BEC - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. BKC - John Walvoord & Roy Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary (New Testament ed). Evans - Tony Evans Speaks Out On Spiritual Warfare. MacArthur - John MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary. McGee - J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible Commentary Pink - Practical Christianity, Chp 6, by A. W. Pink Robertson - Word Pictures in the New Testament, by Archibald Thomas Robertson SL - Expository notes on Galatians, by Dr. Thomas Constable, (http://soniclight.com/). Vincent - Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament, by Marvin Vincent Wuest - Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest.   GREEK WORD STUDIES V.16. - "above," ("epi" {ep-ee': prep, dat}); over, on, by, at. -- Wuest: The thought in the original is, “in addition to all,” that is, in addition to all the equipment just mentioned, the Christian should add that mentioned in verses 16 and 17. - "all," ("pas" ("pas: adj, pron, dat, neut, pl}); each, every, all, the whole. (NIV & NASB = addition) - "taking," ("analambano" {an-al-am-ban'-o: v, part (imper), aor, nom, masc, 2per, pl}); to take up, raise, lift up and carry, pick up. - "the shield," ("o thureos" {o thoo-reh-os': n, acc, masc, sg}); a shield (a large oblong & four-cornered in shape), this word was     originally used to describe a oblong stone used to close a doorway. -- Robertson: Late word in this sense a large stone against the door in Homer, from thura, door, large and oblong (Latin scutum), aspis being smaller and circular, only here in N.T. -- Wuest: The word “shield” used here (thureon) designated the shield of the heavy infantry, a large, oblong one, four by two and one half feet, sometimes curved on the inner side. - "of faith," ("o pistis" {o pis'-tis: n, gen, fem, sg}); literally, the faith; belief, confidence, trust, reliance on. -- Wuest: This shield which the Christian soldier uses is faith, a present faith in the Lord Jesus for victory over sin and the hosts of the devil. - "which," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with. (KJV = wherewith) - "will be able," ("dunamai" {doo'-nam-ahee: v, ind, fut, mid, dep, 2per, pl}); to be able to, to have power, to have the     capacity or ability to, be capable of, - "to quench," ("sbennumi" {sben'-noo-mee: v, inf, aor, act}); to extinguish, quench, to suppress, stifle, put out, restrain. -- Robertson: old word, to extinguish (Mt 12:20). - "all," ("o pas" {o pas: adj, acc, neut, pl}); each, every, any, all, the whole, everything. - "the fiery," ("puroo" {poo-ro'-o: v, part, perf, pass, acc, neut, pl}); to burn with fire, used here of darts filled with inflammable     substances and set on fire, flaming arrows (i.e., temptation sent by Satan). -- Robertson: Pepuromena is perfect passive participle of puroo, old verb, to set on fire, from pur (fire). These darts were sometimes ablaze in order to set fire to the enemies' clothing or camp or homes just as the American Indians used to shoot poisoned arrows. -- Wuest: The fiery darts refer to arrows tipped with tow, pitch, or such material, set on fire before they were discharged. The fiery arrows represent the temptations with which he assails the saints. - "darts," ("belos" {bel'-os: n, acc, neut, pl}); a missle, dart, javelin, arrow, a pointed weapon. -- Robertson: belos, is an old word for missile, dart (from ballo, to throw), only here in N.T. - "the wicked one," ("poneros" {pon-ay-ros': adj, pron, gen, masc, sg}); the evil or wicked one. -- Wuest: “The wicked” is, “the pernicious one,” Satan, who is not content to perish in his own destruction, but seeks to drag everyone else down with him to the utter ruin that will be his in the future eternity. These saints were saved in the sense that they were justified. V.17. - "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}); and, also, indeed. - "take," ("dechomai" {dekh'-om-ahee: v, imper, aor, mid, dep, 2per, pl}); to receive, accept, take, grasp. - "the helmet," ("perikephalaia" {per-ee-kef-al-ah'-yah: n, acc, fem, sg}); a helmet, a military head covering, used here metaphorically     of the spiritual protection afforded by salvation. - "of salvation," ("o soterion" {o so-tay'-ree-on: adj, pron, gen, neut, sg}); of what is related to the means of salvation; salvation,     rescuing, deliverance. -- Wuest: These saints were saved in the sense that they were justified. The salvation spoken of here must therefore be salvation from the power of sin in this present life, salvation from the onslaughts of Satan. - "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}); and, also, indeed. - "the sword," ("machaira" {makh'-ahee-rah: n, acc, fem, sg}); a large knife for killing and cutting up, a sword, saber (as a curved     weapon for close combat), a small sword, dagger. -- Robertson: The sword given by the Spirit to be wielded as offensive weapon (the others defensive) by the Christian is the word of God. See Heb 4:12 where the word of God is called "sharper than any two-edged sword." - "of the Spirit," ("o pneuma" {o pnyoo'-mah: n, gen, neut, sg}); used here as a reference to the Holy Spirit. - "which is," ("ho esti" {ho es-tee': v, indic, pres, act, 3per, sg}); which is, that is. - "the word," ("rhema" {hray'-mah: n, nom, neut, sg}); a word, saying, utterance, that which is or     has been uttered by the living voice, spoken. -- Wuest: As to the expression, “the sword of the Spirit,” Vincent says: “The word of God serves both for attack and to parry the thrusts of the enemy. Thus Christ used it in His temptation. It is the sword of the Spirit because the Spirit of God gives it and inspires it. The Spirit’s aid is needed for its interpretation.” -- Vincent: The sword given by the Spirit to be wielded as offensive weapon (the others defensive) by the Christian is the word of God. See Hebrews 4:12 where the word of God is called “sharper than any two-edged sword.” - "of God," ("theos" {theh'-os: n, gen, masc, sg}); the supreme divine being; the true, living and personal God; God the Father.