The Sword and the Bow

A sword is used for hand-to-hand combat, a how for distant warfare. Both weapons are mentioned in connection with the providential judgments which will fall upon the earth following the rapture of the Church to heaven (Rev. 6:2.4). The general order of the seal judgments bear out what is easily seen today. Often before there is bloodshed (the sword), men of power who are removed from the immediate situation exercise control by means of intimidation (the bow).
The believer is to take up the sword and the bow in a spiritual way. As the Lord's disciples were slow to grasp this truth (Luke 22:36, 38), so are many of the Lord's people today. The word translated armor in Eph. 6:13 is panoplia, the complete equipment used by heavily armed infantry. Thus the word armor embraces more than defensive weaponry. The sword of the Spirit is the only obvious weapon mentioned in this passage.
If there is to be spiritual victory in our lives, and a pathway according to the mind of God, it can only he gained by the sword of the Spirit. The Word of God gives us direction, wisdom, and courage. During the reign of King Saul, there were just a couple of swords available to combat the Philistines, the enemy within the land (1 Sam. 13:19-22). While the Word of God is the one sword we all need, its use must be learned experimentally in an individual way. The Philistines made it a priority to keep the Hebrews from obtaining swords. So, the powers of darkness today are making a concentrated effort lest the saints of God learn to use the sword of the Spirit.