The morning mists still clung to the stones of the Way when the Herald stepped forward, his cloak billowing in the wind like a banner of heaven. In his hands, wrapped in sacred cloth, was a sword unlike any other—gleaming with purpose, heavy with promise.
“Take this sword,” the Herald said. “It is the King’s gift, and there is no sword like it.”
Sir Constant stepped forward, hesitant. He had longed for this moment—trained for it, dreamed of it—but now, with the blade before him, the weight of the call settled on his shoulders. This was no ornament to wear with pride. It was a weapon forged for battle. And receiving it was not the end of his training. It was the beginning of his war.
For a knight without a sword is just a man in armor.
The gift of the King demanded more than admiration—it required readiness. Strength of hand, clarity of mind, purity of heart. It had to be wielded with wisdom, not just waved in ceremony. This was no enchanted relic that would fight for him. The battle would be real. And Sir Constant would have to learn how to fight.
Just as Sir Constant must learn to carry and fight with the sword, so must every Christian man take up the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). It requires skill, training, and devotion to wield. Having it is not the same as using it. The battle we face is not only defensive—it requires action, confrontation, and holy offense.
The Sword of the Spirit
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
— Ephesians 6:17 (NASB)
The Sword of the Spirit is not just a symbol—it is a supernatural weapon forged for the front lines.
It is the only offensive weapon listed in the armor of God. The belt, breastplate, helmet, shield—all of these are defensive. But the sword? It’s for pushing back. It’s for taking ground. It’s for striking blows against the kingdom of darkness.
And the sword Paul speaks of is not a blade of steel—it’s the Word of God.
From To Train Up a Knight:
“Our armor helps us to stand our ground, but we are given more than armor. We are given a weapon with which we can fight back—the Sword of the Spirit. This sword is the Scriptures the Holy Spirit has inspired so that we will know the will of God and be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
This sword is no blunt relic. It is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). It pierces the soul. It exposes the heart. It shatters lies. It corrects, convicts, and cuts away falsehood. But only in the hands of a trained warrior.
You Must Know the Blade
Imagine handing a broadsword to a new recruit and sending him into battle. He’s more likely to hurt himself than the enemy. The same is true of Scripture. To use the Sword of the Spirit well, you must know:
- Its weight – The seriousness and responsibility of handling divine truth
- Its balance – The harmony of grace and judgment, justice and mercy
- Its reach – The scope of its authority across all areas of life
“The sword must feel comfortable in our hands—like it is a natural extension of ourselves.”
— To Train Up a Knight
And that doesn’t happen overnight. It takes study, training, and field practice.
Scripture Is Your Tactical Manual
The Bible is not just inspirational—it’s strategic. It’s the very weapon Christ used in His own spiritual battle (see Matthew 4:1–11). When Satan tempted Him, Jesus didn’t argue or negotiate—He quoted Scripture with precision and authority. Three times, He answered, “It is written.”
We are expected to do the same.
Yet how many Christian men today go into battle against lust, pride, anger, and fear with no verses ready on their lips, no truth planted in their heart, no doctrine hidden in their soul?
They have a sword—but it stays on the rack. Unused. Unpracticed. Unready.
Manhood in a World of Rusted Swords
We live in a time where men admire the sword of the Spirit—but rarely draw it in battle.
- We hang it on our wall like a decoration.
- We quote fragments instead of studying context.
- We go into conflict armed with opinions instead of truth.
We must go beyon merely admiring God’s Word. From To Train Up a Knight:
“We don’t stop at study. We go on to practice what we learn. Then we go on to tell others what we have learned to help them follow God’s will.”
That is what the world desperately needs—men who are not only trained but training others. Fathers who disciple their sons. Brothers who speak truth to one another. Workers who live Scripture in dark places.
Champion of Swordsmanship: Peter
If you want an example of a man transformed by the Sword of the Spirit, look to Peter.
He starts out impulsive, unstable, and inconsistent—swinging literal swords at the wrong targets (John 18:10). But after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), Peter becomes a bold preacher who wields Scripture like a true knight of the King.
“Out of the 23 verses of his lesson [in Acts 2], 12 of them are direct quotes from the Scriptures.”
Peter proclaims:
- That Jesus is the Christ (Acts 2:36)
- That salvation comes only through Him (Acts 4:11–12)
- That obedience to God outweighs all earthly authority (Acts 5:29)
And later, he would write:
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” — 1 Peter 4:11
Peter shows us that the Sword of the Spirit is not just for pulpit preachers—it is for every man who speaks, teaches, or lives in a way that points to Christ.
Battle Application for Men
1. Take the Sword Out of the Sheath
Study the Bible with intention. Don’t let your sword rust from neglect. Read it deeply. Meditate on it. Memorize it.
Action Step:
Commit to one focused 15-minute reading time every day this week. Choose a book like James, Proverbs, or Ephesians. Journal your reflections.
2. Practice What You Learn
“Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord and to do it and to teach…” — Ezra 7:10
Scripture isn’t a trophy—it’s a training manual. The sword becomes sharp in life’s battles. Begin applying what you read immediately. Let the Word shape your decisions, speech, and habits.
Action Step:
Ask, “What have I read this week that I haven’t obeyed yet?” Choose one hard teaching and apply it before the week ends.
3. Train Others
A true knight raises other warriors. Just as Peter preached the Scriptures in Acts 2 and equipped others to follow Christ, so must we.
“When we faithfully use the Sword of the Spirit, it sets others free from Satan’s influence and destroys his work.”
— To Train Up a Knight
Action Step:
Find one way this week to share Scripture—encourage a friend with a verse, teach your child a passage, or discuss the Bible with a co-worker.
4. Use Strategy
From To Train Up a Knight, here are questions every man should ask:
- How well do I know the Bible?
- What can I do to learn more?
- What truths have I struggled to obey?
- Who can I help with God’s Word?
Let these questions shape your week. Let them shape your legacy.
5. Don’t Just Study—Spar
Reading Scripture is essential, but it’s not the final step. You must test your blade:
- When your child asks a hard question—draw your sword.
- When your friend is lost in sin—draw your sword.
- When temptation whispers sweet lies—draw your sword.
- When the world mocks your faith—draw your sword.
The more you use it, the sharper it gets. The more you depend on it, the more natural it becomes.
Challenge: Don’t Just Own the Sword. Wield It.
Sir Constant received a powerful gift—but it wasn’t ceremonial. It was for war.
“Take this sword,” said the Herald of the King, “and fear no enemy while it is in thy hand.”
That’s the promise for us as well. The battle is real. The enemy is clever. And the Word of God is enough—if we train with it. Take it up. Learn it. Use it. And become a knight worthy of the King’s cause.
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 