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Put Up Thy Sword

By Morris Norman

There has been speculation by commentators as to why Christ has asked the disciples to bring a sword to the place of arrest and then render this rebuke to Peter for using it. Surely one reason was to teach them that His kingdom "is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight" (Jn. 18:36).

The kingdom of Christ is a spiritual realm that is ruled and defended by spiritual principles. Peter was using a carnal weapon to defend His Master. Paul said, "we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh)" (2 Cor. 10:3, 4). He had "renounced the hidden things of shame, not waking in craftiness, not handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth..." (2 Cor. 4:2).”For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities...powers... world rulers of this darkness...the spiritual host of wickedness." Therefore we are to put on the whole armor of God to fight (Eph. 6:10-18).

Some of us have not learned this. We still use the weapons of the flesh to try to fight spiritual battles. A cause was never won by locking a building, or by fisticuffs, not by slander and name calling, or by false accusations. These are carnal weapons used by carnal men. Our weapons are "mighty before God.... casting down imaginations (reasonings, MDN), and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4, 5).

Carnal methods are so often used by those who claim to be Christians to accomplish what they think is a righteous victory. But a righteous victory is never won until all concerned come in obedience to truth. When personalities clash, there is a deep need for level heads that can guide by righteous principles. How many marital problems have ended in divorce because a personality clash has developed into bitter accusations and selfish demands? How many friendships have ended because feelings were hurt and revenge was desired? How many congregations have divided because there were personality conflicts and, instead of sitting down together as brethren to seek a just solution, anger has exploded and unjust methods were used to the estrangement of what were amicable, loving saints?

Do you want truth to reign? Put away your carnal weapons. Sit down with the word of God. Spend time in prayer. Desire earnestly the welfare of your supposed enemy. Seek righteous solutions to righteous causes. "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all apt to teach, correcting (instructing, MDN) them that oppose themselves ...that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil..." (2 Tim. 2:24-26). "Be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself...Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"
(Phil. 2:2-5). Put away your sword.  

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