Sword of Victory

I was busy looking for a Bible story or topic for my 2,5-year-old son. He has the most amazing imagination and is always pretending that he is saving someone, whether he is a fireman, policeman, doctor, or superhero. I love listening to his enactments because in every story he defeats the fire, the bad guy, the emergency. In every played-out roleplay he is victorious.

So, I thought this week we could study the Armour of God. I thought to dress him as a warrior of God. I knew that my son's favorite part of the armour would be the sword, and as I started gathering my thoughts and asking Jesus how we were going to teach him, I became the student.

As I studied Ephesians 6:17 (AMP), which says, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God [revealed by Christ],", I had a realisation. If the Word of God is the sword, and Jesus is the Word (John 1:1,14 AMP), then Jesus Himself is the sword! He is the weapon. He is the power by which we overcome the enemy.

For so long, I believed that spiritual warfare was about fighting and going to war with the enemy. I had my formulas, processes, words that I would use. But spiritual warfare has always exhausted me. As I sat with this reflection of the spiritual battles I have faced, I asked Jesus: "Why are they so hard to fight?" He asked me back, "Why are you fighting? I already won." I sat with this for a moment – for a while, and I think you should too.

"When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross." (Colossians 2:15 AMP)

This means the enemy is not fighting to win…he has already lost. The devils only strategy now is deception; to make us believe we are still in the battles Jesus already won. Our battle is against the deception of enemy. Satan has the same strategy over and over. He planted doubt in Eve which led her to walk in sin and the Spirit of God left her. 

This changes everything. If Jesus already won the battle, then our job is not to fight for victory but to stand and declare the victory. Read Ephesians 6:13:

"Therefore, put on the complete armour of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]." (Ephesians 6:13 AMP)

What does it mean to stand our ground? We are NOT drawing our sword in battle—we are firmly standing our ground.

In ancient warfare, standing ground was a military strategy where soldiers, rather than advancing or retreating, held their position firmly to prevent the enemy from gaining territory. The strength was in their formation and unwavering stance. Roman soldiers, for instance, would form an impenetrable shield wall, standing together against attacks. This was a declaration of dominance and victory—not an act of ongoing battle. If anyone left this formation they were open to the enemy forces and attacks. When we run into sin, when we run ahead of Jesus into battles that are not ours, when we leave the safety of His Spirit we are exposed. The enemy is trying to entice us to fight instead of standing firm in the truth that Jesus won and we are walking in victory. 

"So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 AMP)

In the whole text of the armour of God, it never says we need to go to war—it says we need to stand firm. The war comes against us, but our response is to stand in authority, knowing the war is already won. Our stance is to stand firm and the enemy will flee. 

Where do we draw our strength from to stand ground? In CHRIST!

"I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace." (Philippians 4:13 AMP)

Jesus gives us the strength to stand firm. He promises that in Him we are ready for anything and equal to anything. That means 100 enemy forces can try to move us and Jesus will give us the strength to stand firm and we are immovable in Him. 

As I reflected on this revelation of the Sword, I started thinking: What did victorious kings do with their swords after battle? So I did a bit of research to gain some context into why the sword represents The Spirit (the Word):

They raised their swords in triumph – In Roman and ancient warrior cultures, a king or general would lift his sword to declare victory. This was a powerful statement that the battle was over. Jesus, our victorious King, was lifted up in glory after His triumph at the cross (Philippians 2:9-11 AMP). When we face attacks, we don’t need to pick up the sword to fight again but we lift it high as a reminder of victory. I saw a vision of Christ on the cross, except the cross was the shape of a sword. To lift our Sword in Victory is to lift Jesus up for all to see we have won.

They sheathed their swords as a sign of peace – When a battle was over, kings would put their swords away, symbolizing that the war had ended. This was why they had a belt—the belt carried the sword. And in Ephesians 6:14, it is the Belt of Truth. When Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30 AMP), He declared that the battle was won. We are not called to keep fighting; we are called to live in the reality of that truth and then walk in peace.

Victorious kings displayed their swords as a trophy – Roman generals would often display their weapons in temples or palaces, a visible reminder of their triumph. Jesus’ victory is our trophy of grace—we don’t fight for it; we display it through our faith and testimony (Revelation 12:11 AMP). Every time we declare His finished work, His Word by His SPIRIT, we put His victory on display.

They used their swords to knight others – Kings would use their swords to commission others into service. Jesus, after His resurrection, commissioned us to enforce the victory of the Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20 AMP). We are not warriors fighting for survival; we are victors enforcing His rule.

This means that when the enemy sends out an attack we don’t need to draw our sword to fight. We need to raise our sword in victory. We need to stand firm in the truth that Jesus already won all our battles. We need to declare the truth of the word - not battle it out with the enemy, but to AFFIRM His finished work. We need to resist the devils lies as his only weapon is deception, to lead us out of safety and into sin. Walk in faith and authority that in Jesus we are already victorious! 

Jesus stood in peace, knowing His authority in everything He did—no one could move Him from the truth. When the devil came to tempt Him, in every response, He said: "It is written." That is the posture we should take in spiritual warfare—It is written. It is true. I declare victory.  

This revelation has shifted my entire perspective. I no longer feel the pressure to fight. I will stand firm and hold my ground knowing that Jesus already won. When I intercede for those around me, I will declare His truth and send the Spirit to show them they are victorious. I will be in a place of safety which brings peace. 

I pray this revelation blesses you as much as it blessed me. When the enemy comes, stand firm.

It. Is. Finished. 

Much love!