Blog 34:
This coming Sunday at church part of the message will be focused on the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Whenever I think about that passage, I am reminded of the time I spent taking iaido classes before seminary took away all my free-time and money. Iaido is a Japanese martial art that focuses on sword techniques (kata). A rough translation of iaido is “the way of mental presence and immediate reaction." The more I thought about it, the more God showed me the how similar between these two sword concepts really are.
Much of this focus in iaido is spent on the actual drawing or unsheathing of the sword from its scabbard (saya). The drawing of the sword is similar to the “quick-draw” of the Old West gunslingers, and is just as important as the kata itself. The kata begins with situational awareness and then a readiness to deploy the sword as soon as a threat presents itself. For training and testing purposes, the kata begins and ends with the sword in the saya.
Similarly, the Apostle Paul wrote this passage on the armor of God presupposing there is an enemy who is actively attempting to harm us. We must be aware of our surroundings in a fallen world and have a readiness to deploy the sword of the Spirit as soon as a threat presents itself. However, to effectively deploy the Word of God as Jesus did in during His wilderness temptation means we must know the Word of God. The most effective destroyer of Satan’s lies is proper knowledge and application of God’s Word. We need to train (read/memorize Scripture) so that we can get it into the fight as quickly as possible.
Since iaido is a martial art that uses a metal weapon there is no direct sparring with other students (kendo is a similar martial art that uses wooden weapons and no saya). As such, students are fighting unseen attackers as a part of their training. Grading of the kata is based on the student’s ability to demonstrate the technique as though an actual attacker was present. If a student is just going through the motions during any part of the kata he or she will be marked down. If a student is unwilling to train properly when there is no enemy, how will he be prepared if an enemy ever did appear?
Paul begins this section of his letter with the following exhortation,
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:12, NIV)
The battle before us as believers is often not in the physical realm but rather the unseen spiritual one. Just because we can’t see those spiritual forces, however, does not mean they are not real. Satan and his minions are waiting for us to become complacent and unaware of our spiritual surroundings so they can attack. If we are just going through the motions spiritually because it doesn’t seem the devil is interested in us how will we ever be prepared when he does appear? It is not a matter of “if,” but “when”.
To further this point, a majority of the kata in iaido begin in a seated position (seiza). This position entails kneeling and then sitting on your feet. In short, think of the most uncomfortable and awkward way of sitting and do that. This position is when a samurai was most vulnerable; on the ground with his legs tucked up underneath him. Training in this way ensures not only is the student prepared to defend himself regardless of circumstance but there is also an understanding that he does not necessarily get to choose the terms of engagement. As such, there is a humble awareness of weakness and then corresponding training in order to turn the weakness into a strength.
I can promise you that Satan doesn’t fight fair and will attack you in any way possible to achieve his ends. He knows your weaknesses and will exploit them if you are unaware of them. You do not always get to choose the terms of engagement with him; as an unseen adversary he has the advantage of surprise. Are you humble enough to recognize your weaknesses and rely on your spiritual training and the armaments of God to defeat him?
Spiritual battles are rarely like the battles portrayed in Hollywood with a charge forward and swords swinging wildly so it should not be surprising that Paul finishes this section with comprehensive prayer. Like the samurai in seiza, Paul’s battle begins on his knees. He writes elsewhere that he is chronically tormented by Satan and prays for it to be taken away and the Word of God answers him in this way,
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9a)
Paul takes this word from God and wields it like a sword against Satan as we see in his conclusion of that passage
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9b-10)
This is a perfect example of a man humbly recognizing his own weaknesses and inability to face Satan on his own. He relied on his spiritual training to equip himself with God’s armor and Word He moved from being tormented by Satan to having victory over him. God’s Word promises that Paul’s victory can be our victory as well. Train yourself in His Word and you will be a mighty soldier in His army. Blessings to you all!