Many years ago when I was in Army basic training, I spent many hours on the rifle range. Not just an afternoon on the range like many of you who experience Air Force Basic Training. I spent quite literally two-thirds of my training time on the rifle range. I was issued an M-16 assault rifle for training. I put tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition downrange with my M-16. I tore apart and cleaned my M-16 several times every day. I went to chow with my M-16. I went to sleep with my M-16. I went to the latrine with my M-16. I lived every day with my M-16. I could take my M-16 apart and put it back together blindfolded, not because I tried to or was trained to, but because I was so familiar with my weapon, I could do it in my sleep. I knew what to do when it jammed – instinctively. I knew how to load it and how to clear it. If my M-16 broke, I knew how to fix it. I knew my weapon inside and out.
And that was 48 years ago, and if I was given a M-16 today, I believe I could still take it all apart and put it all together again, even now. It was drilled into me that much.
How much have we trained with our spiritual weapon? How familiar are we with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God? Do we know how to use the Sword of the Spirit? Do we know the word inside and out? Can we instinctively use the word in a moment's notice. How well do we handle the word?
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
From the sermon "The Armor of God Part 5: Salvation and the Word of God," by Doug Fannon