While I lived in Japan, I learned much of their history and about the things they considered to be honorable. Even methods of death were given protocols for honor. A graphic form of suicide called “seppuku” was often spoken of and taught in their history. Samurai warriors were expected to have the courage to disembowel themselves with their own sword rather than fall into enemy hands. At the time, this offended my sense of self preservation, not to mention made me wonder at the mindset it would take to do such an act upon one’s own body?
In the word, Paul speaks often about “dying to self” and he was well aware it would take a sword. Suddenly, seppuku begins to make sense to me. The samurai were onto an understanding, but performing in the flesh was never what it was really about to truly be honorable. It was always about the heart.
Heb 4:12 What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.