Those Who Die by the Sword Shall Live by the Sword!

You have heard it said before that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. The Samurai's fate is just that. This is honorable to them. They truly lived by the sword and infact the sword was a big part of their identity. A true Samurai would wear two swords, a long and a short sword. When he got up in the morning he put on his swords. It was a disgrace for a Samurai to lose a battle so they would perform a suicide ritual before the enemy at the end of the battle where they pretty much gutted themselves with their own sword and then the enemy would behead them with his sword. This would restore their honor in defeat. Truly, the Samurai lived by the sword and died by the sword.

I have always been intriged by the ways of the warrior and the warrior's mind. After reading about Bushido and other martial arts I began to realize one thing they all had in common, PRIDE! It's not about honor, but about pride. Infact, the most popular mixed martial arts show on earth right now is the Pride Fighting Championship, created in Japan, the home of the Samurai Warrior. Martial arts has twisted the meaning of humility which is a whole other topic. The quote should really be stated, "Those who live in pride die in pride".

I feel as though I do have a similar lifestyle. I also carry a sword. The sword which I carry is not a physical sword but a spiritual sword, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). In fact, the Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The main difference in my lifestyle and in my Sword is that I had to first die by the Sword in order to live. The Word of God convicted me to the point of death and then raised me to new life, spiritual life. "He who finds his life will lose it and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:39

The birth of a Christian is through the death of the Sword, the Word of God which is Christ. This is not done by our power but the power of the Holy Spirit. I didn't commit suicide but was pierced by the Holy Spirit. The word Samurai translates,"to serve or in service of". Now I am a Samurai for the Lord and the Word is the Sword which I carry.