This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

-----

                     The Sword Of My Spirit


	[NOTE: This word is intended for those who have been "beaten"
	over the head over and over again with the "sword of the 
	spirit" by others. When the Lord first gave this word to me, 
	I held off on distributing it on this list because it read 
	like a correction to those who are trying to condemn their 
	brothers/sisters through Scripture. And the main purpose of
	this list is encouragement, not correction/reproof, so it did
	not seem appropriate for this list.

	But the Lord explained to me that He intended it more as an
	encouragement to those how have been "beaten up" that way.
	He wants them to know that He is not like that--He is not
	standing there with some giant stick just watching for 
	when you make a mistake so He can beat you with it. He is 
	a good and loving God, and it is safe to run back to Him
	for help, even when you mess up, make a mistake or fall
	briefly back into sin.

	This word is not addressing the biblical procedure of 
        correction in a church, where you first go to someone 
	privately, then take 2 or 3 with you. It is not addressing
	godly pastoral correction. It is addressing those who
	think it is their job/task to clear the tiny specks out
	of other people's lives while they have giant planks in
	their own...(Matthew 7:4).]

It is true that My word is like a two-edged sword, but dear one, do not
mistake who that sword is intended to be used on. It is not meant for one
of My own to to wield it against their brothers and sisters in Me.

The power of My word is intended to separate the bone from the marrow,
to reveal and remove the flaws that keep you from walking in the fullness
of your relationship with Me. It is meant as something that My Spirit
applies individually to each of you at precisely the right time, in His
wisdom and knowledge. He does this only after having prepared you for
the correction that He is about to bring. It is meant to help you grow
and mature into your full stature in Me, and to learn to live in a
manner that is pleasing to My Father and free from the bondages of the 
enemy.

Too many of My own are taking it upon themselves to try to become the
conscience and correction of their brethren. They slash out at their
brethren over minor things, wielding the sword of My Spirit as a weapon
against their siblings, while ignoring the issues in their own lives.

My word is a powerful sword, but it is not intended as a weapon to slash
out at other believers. It is not intended to be used as a club to beat
a young one over the head--for I am about liberty and life, not about
condemnation. I will bring correction and I will bring maturity into
the lives of each of My own, but I will do so in My timing and in My
way.

So allow My sword to be applied like a surgeon's knife to your own life,
and allow My Holy Spirit to wield that sword with the great skill that
He possesses. His desire (and My desire) is for you to grow and be
perfected. He will cut away the things that hinder and harm and hold
you back, so that you might be transformed into Our very image.

Do not allow yourself to fall into the temptation to use the sword of
My Spirit as a weapon against others in the family of God. Instead,
trust Me to take care of others at precisely the right time. Likewise,
allow My Spirit to apply My sword to your own life, that He might 
remove from you every thing that holds you back from walking in 
victory and maturity.