Living Beyond the Sword
Overcoming the Spirit of Destruction with the Power of Love
A sobering truth is embedded in Jesus' words:
all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword, Matthew 26:52
These words, spoken in the garden as Peter tried to defend Jesus with violence, were not just about physical weapons. They were a warning about the spirit behind destruction—a spirit that mirrors the very nature of Satan, the destroyer. When people allow the enemy to use them to hurt others, they become like the one who came only to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" John 10:10. But for those of us who are in Christ, this is not our path. We are called to something radically different: a life of forgiveness, truth, and unconditional love.
Destroying Others Means Becoming Like the Destroyer
When someone sets out to destroy another through slander, accusation, manipulation, or betrayal, they align themselves with Satan's very character. He is the accuser of the brethren Revelation 12:10, the father of lies John 8:44, and the one who seeks to devour 1 Peter 5:8. In tearing others down, we participate in his agenda.
Jesus' words to Peter show us the futility of this path. Violence—whether physical, emotional, verbal, or spiritual—ultimately boomerangs back upon the one who uses it. It consumes them. In time, that very sword will destroy those who live to destroy. Hatred corrodes the soul. Bitterness becomes its own prison. And revenge always leaves both parties wounded.
Our True Enemy Is Not People
Remembering that the real battle is not against flesh and blood is vital.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
That means your attacker, your slanderer, your accuser—as painful and real as their attacks are—is not your real enemy. Behind their words or actions stands a spiritual power seeking to divide, deceive, and destroy. Satan uses wounded people to wound others. He uses bitterness, fear, insecurity, and pride as tools to set fire to relationships and divide God's family.
But we who walk in Christ must not take the bait.
Truth Is the Weapon That Defeats the Accuser
Satan is a liar. He accuses the saints night and day. He distorts the truth. He twists motives. He whispers lies to both the accuser and the accused.
But truth has a weaponized power of its own. When Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness, He did not argue, retaliate, or shout back. He simply declared, "It is written" Matthew 4:4. The truth of God's Word cuts through every lie. It exposes darkness. It sets captives free.
As believers, we are armed with the truth of the gospel. The truth that we are loved. Forgiven. Accepted. Righteous in Christ. Called. Seated with Him in heavenly places. And the truth that even our enemies are loved by God with that same radical, unshakable love.
Forgiveness Frees Us from the Cycle of Destruction
When Jesus hung on the cross, enduring the most unjust attack in human history, He said,
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34.
This is our example. They didn't ask for forgiveness, and they didn't deserve it, but He gave it freely.
When we forgive, we are not saying the offense was okay. We are simply choosing not to carry the burden of hate. We are breaking the cycle. We are refusing to be controlled by the actions of others.
Forgiveness is the path to freedom, not just for them but for us.
Loving the Offender Like the Father Loves Us
We love because He first loved us 1 John 4:19. Not after we cleaned up, repented, or changed. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us Romans 5:8.
So we love those who hurt us. We bless those who curse us. We pray for those who despitefully use us. Why? Because that is how the Father loves. He is kind to the unthankful and the evil Luke 6:35.
And here's a vital truth: the God who loves me just as He loves Jesus John 17:23 also loves my brother or sister—even the one I'm fussing or fighting with—in exactly the same way. His love is not partial or conditional. It does not shift based on behavior. He is not angry with the one who wounded us. His heart aches for their healing just as much as it does for ours. He sees both of us through eyes of mercy. His invitation is always to restoration, not retaliation.
And His love flowing through us becomes a living testimony. A rebuke to the spirit of division. A picture of grace. A beacon of light in a dark and bitter world.
Refusing to Be Pulled into Petty Family Fights
Most of the battles that divide believers are not doctrinal or moral failures—they are petty. They involve intra-family fights, ego clashes, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. They also involve wounds left unhealed and pride left unchecked.
But we refuse to live in that space.
We are the family of God, and families can disagree without disowning each other. We are not enemies, opponents, or threats to each other. We are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the same Father.
We will not allow minor offenses to breed major division or let momentary anger destroy eternal relationships.
Loving Unconditionally: Our Family Mark
Jesus said,
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" John 13:35.
That love is not conditional. It does not wait for an apology, it does not depend on agreement, and it does not expire.
Our Father does not love us based on our performance. His love is not fragile. It is not circumstantial. It is not moody. And we are to love like Him.
Not because others deserve it, but because He deserves our obedience.
Responding with Good for Evil
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
This is one of the hardest commands in Scripture, but it is also one of the most powerful. When we bless those who curse us and return good for evil, we expose the poverty of hatred. We unmask the lies of the enemy. We silence the accuser with kindness.
You don't fight darkness with more darkness. You shine a light.
God Builds—The Devil Destroys
We must decide whose image we will reflect.
The devil tears down, divides, accuses, slanders, isolates, and corrupts. He breaks what God builds.
But our Father is a builder. He builds lives, families, hope, restores what was lost, binds the brokenhearted, and calls us sons and daughters.
When we build, we reflect Him. When we restore, we honor Him. When we protect, forgive, and encourage, we become the living expression of His heart.
We do not want to be destroyers. That is Satan's job. We never want to be like him. We never want to partner with his wickedness.
The Final Victory Belongs to Love
At the end of all things, love wins. Not hate. Not bitterness. Not division.
The destroyer will be destroyed. Satan will be cast down forever. His lies will be silenced. His reign of terror will end. But the love of God will never end.
And those who choose to love now, even when it hurts or is attacked or misunderstood, are preparing for eternity. They are storing treasure in heaven. They reflect the very nature of God, who is love.
So let them talk. Let them accuse. Let them twist. Let them try to tear down. You keep building. You keep loving. You keep walking in truth.
Love is not weakness; love is our weapon.
And in the end, love is the only thing that will remain.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13
“The Sword and the Spirit”
They drew the sword in zeal that night,
To shield the Lamb, to stand and fight.
But Jesus spoke with steady breath,
“All they who take the sword meet death.”
It wasn’t just of steel He spoke,
But hearts that burn, that slash, provoke—
The voice that shouts, “Destroy! Divide!”
It echoes from the serpent’s pride.
For hate is sharp, and words can wound,
And bitterness becomes a tomb.
The hands that point, the lips that lie,
Are tools the Tempter loves to try.
He slanders saints by night and day,
He whispers guilt, then hides away.
He breaks the bond with cunning art,
And fans offense in every heart.
But Christ, the Truth, stood firm and free—
He chose the cross, not enmity.
He bore the shame, He broke the chain,
He met the sword, and rose again.
So we refuse the blade of spite,
We trade revenge for heaven’s light.
For love is strong, though scars may burn—
It heals the hate we never earned.
The war we fight is not with men,
But darkened powers beyond our ken.
Not fists, nor fire, nor vengeful cries,
But gospel truth defeats the lies.
Forgiveness cuts the chain in two,
And frees the one who wounded you.
Not weakness, no—it takes the cross,
To love through pain, and count no loss.
To bless when cursed, to guard the fold,
To give back good a hundredfold.
To shine when night would close around—
To build where others burn it down.
For we are not the ones who kill;
Our Father's heart is building still.
He loves our foe, He weeps, He calls,
He lifts both victim and the fall.
And if we love like Christ has loved,
We'll rise above, not push or shove.
We'll see our brother, not the fight,
We'll walk by faith and not by sight.
So let the swords of slander swing,
We follow Christ, the risen King.
And in His love, we take our stand—
A gentle heart, an open hand.
For in the end, when dust is cleared,
When every lie and wound has seared—
Only three will still remain:
Faith, hope, and love that conquered pain.
And love—the greatest—will abide,
The flame that darkness cannot hide.
No sword can kill it, none destroy—
For love is God’s eternal joy.