Is the Safety On?

A friend of mine showed me his firearm recently. My first question was, “Is the safety on?” Why this question? I had a respect for the weapon. Not too many of us would grab a loaded gun and toss it around and handle it flippantly. Why not? We would be scared of shooting someone, especially ourselves. In the same manner, we would not pick up a soldier’s sword and proceed to flip it through the air swinging aimlessly this way and that. Most of us could not even pick it up with one hand much less wave it around. Yet when it comes to the Sword of the Spirit, we toss it around, playing with it blindfolded as if it were a plastic toy unable to do any damage. Have we forgotten Hebrews 4:12:
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (emphasis mine)
The ironic part is that this is done mostly by those of us who profess to understand the weapon that it is. We get into doctrinal and theological debates with one another, proudly tossing back and forth passages from Holy Scripture like juggling clowns in the circus. The only difference is that the clowns are using plastic batons. But that is just the beginning of the discussion. As the debate proceeds we move from the harmless juggling of plastic batons to the throwing of darts. We spout out Bible verses confidently not only missing the mark, but often not even hitting the board. This might not be too bad if it were the Dart of the Spirit.
So what is the answer? Humility. Humility recognizes there is only one Master Swordsman. His name is Jesus. If our name is not Jesus Christ, we ought to approach the Sword a little more cautiously. Do not presume to know how to handle the instrument flawlessly. Do not take the weapon out of its context. Spouting out verses in a heated debate suggests a lack of respect and reverence for the Word.
Most of us would not appreciate a surgeon who says, “Toss me the scalpel.” Most surgeons use a pen to first mark the exact spot of the incision. They proceed with a still and steady hand, understanding that the slightest bump or shake could mean the difference between life and death. If only the Word were but a scalpel. It’s not. Praise God! It is living and active! He used it to perform life and death surgery on our heart!
Let us remember the power of the weapon we hold in our hands. Let us not presume to have mastered its use. Let us approach it with humility and respect. It is too heavy for but one man to both hold and direct its path. Every time we open our mouths to speak its context, let us tread slowly lest we hurt ourselves or those around us. Let us do our best to present ourselves to God as “one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Remember what your parents taught you, never run with sharp objects in your hands. You may fall and get hurt!
In His Grace.