What is the "Two MOUTHED" Sword?
Hebrews 4:12 speaks of a "two-edged sword." The Passion Translation (based on the Aramaic) cites it this way:
“For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, like a two-mouthed sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.”
Hebrews 4:12 TPT
The word "two-edged" comes from the word "distomos" which means "having two mouths; two-edged."
I was surprised to see "two-mouthed" as the definition of the word used. So what does that mean? Whose mouths are we talking about here?
It's clear that this verse is referring to the Word of God, so one mouth obviously belongs to God Himself. What about the other mouth? The other side of the sword?
I believe it is our mouth.
When we speak God's Word, it becomes a weapon that can slice through to the deepest parts of our beings, revealing the truth of who we are. Uncovering God's will.
The sword is listed in Ephesians 6:17 as part of the whole armor of God for the purpose of standing against the enemy's schemes. (Something we all need!):
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. - Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV (Emphasis mine.)
So the weapon, the sword, is defined in scripture as the Word of God.
As the above verse continues, we see an emphasis on speaking God's Word. Paul even includes a request that he may "open his own mouth boldly" and declare the gospel boldly.
Consider this: God is the Creator. When He created the universe, He spoke things that were not as though it were, calling them into being. (Romans 4:17) God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. The creation of the universe and mankind began with "God said..." God spoke. Things happened.
We are created in His image. We, like our Father, can speak God's Word, and this act changes things. When we speak God's Word, His will, we will see changes in our lives, our families, our communities, and even our nation, because God is faithful to His Word.
When I speak God's Word over my son, for example, in a time of uncertainty in his life, I might say: "He who began a good work in you, son, will be faithful to complete it."
God cannot lie; He's faithful to His promises. By speaking this promise over my son, I am inviting God into the intricate details of our family life. I am freely surrendering to God's will.
God ordained man to have free will. He will not defy the system of free will that He set up. We must choose to live God's way.
In speaking this scripture over my son, I can know that God will finish what He started in his life. We are created in the image of the Father. By His Word all things were created. By His Word, my son's life will become what the Lord intended it to be.
This is an example of living in the fullness of God. When we seek after God's heart, the Spirit reveals His will to us. We search scripture and speak it out loud in prayer, reminding God of His promises, agreeing with His Word.
This is a powerful thing for the children of God. We begin to see mountains move.
We who believe in Christ have been given the right to become children of God, created in His image, the image of the Father. Jesus said, "If you see me, you see the Father." Like Jesus, we can now say, "If you see us, you'll see Jesus. You're going to see the Father," because that is the mystery of who are: Children of God. That's our true identity.
That's so powerful! The enemy never wants us to know our full authority as children of God.
We can be the other side of the "two-mouthed sword," speaking the Word of God to change our environments, our communities, our families, our neighborhoods, our governments for the better.
Let me know what you think. Join the discussion here.
Photo by Lance Reis.
