"WEILD"....what's it mean?

This morning as I was pondering and praying, the word WIELD came to my mind. Interesting, ‘cause when this word entered my mind, I had been praying about the ‘armor of God’ and my need to be well ‘protected’ as I go out into the world each day.

As I pondered the word, WIELD, I immediately thought….SWORD and FENCING. I pictured a white uniformed person with helmet over head and face, waving a sword at an opponent. Somewhat comical it was, as I even heard “touché” in my mind and saw the fencer advance with pointed toe and pointed sword! I don’t know much about fencing, but I DO know that fencing is the art and sport of swordsmanship and it includes many hand, arm and body movements that produce specific offensive and defensive maneuvers. I also know that it is a sport and art that must be learned and purposefully practiced.

Why did this word enter my mind and what was the Holy Spirit trying to teach me?

The American Heritage Dictionary offers the following definition for the word WIELD:

1. To handle (a weapon or tool, for example) with skill and ease.

2. To exercise (authority or influence, for example) effectively.

After more thought, I correlated this word-picture (of the fencer wielding his sword) with the scripture that I had been pondering in Ephesians 6. Verses 13-17 describe the ‘armor’ that Christians are to put on daily. Part of this armor includes the ‘sword of the spirit’, which is a reference to God’s Word. I then had to ask myself if I am equipped to WIELD the Word of God with skill and with ease, like a fencer would wield a real sword? Do I speak God’s Word with the authority that has been given to all Believers? How can I use this morning’s ‘lesson’ and word picture that accompanied the word WIELD in a manner that can make me more like the woman that God wants me to be? Ask yourself the same questions and examine your answers. May we all be better equipped to serve God every day!

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:13-18