Hatchet or Sword?

I have always loved knives and sharp objects. I remember when I got my first knife, I was about 8 years old, it was a small Old Timer lock blade. I thought it was the most coolest thing in the whole world! I couldn't wait to carve something, what masterful whittling I was going to be able to do! Oh I carved something alright, a nice slice right into my palm about 20 minutes after getting the knife. One might think this would curb my enthusiasm for sharp objects but it didn't. In fact the danger element made it that much more appealing.
   As I grew older my love affair with sharp objects grew as well. I expanded to Buck knives, butterfly knives, and always the ever present lock blade, now it was a Gerber, sharper and bigger than the Old Timer. Somewhere along the way I stopped trying to whittle things probably when I realized another aspect to knives, destroying things! Why carve a little wooden animal when I could slash a bus seat, tire, or business sign? It was also right around this time when I realized the most powerful aspect to having knives; threatening and scaring other people. I realized that by keeping knives on me, then other people generally thought twice about messing with me. As an adult, my collection expanded to include a sword, machete, small axe, and hatchet, all at various times; plus at least two knives on me at all times.
  Even more importantly was that somewhere along the line, my mind had developed a knife mindset too. I was quick to cut and slash with my words. I had built up sharp barriers in my heart and mind designed to cut anyone who got too close. I lived this way for years, lashing out and hurting people with a sharp tongue never realizing that with each slash, I cut a piece of my own heart too.
   Then I got saved. Jesus came into the wreckage that was my heart and He has been rebuilding it. But those sharp barriers and slashing tongue still remained. I was redeemed but the old me still had a stronghold in my mind. I was too afraid to turn in my mental hatchet. The idea of being vulnerable and having no way to protect myself seemed overwhelming. I was explaining this fear to a friend, they reminded me that God is my protector, how could I possibly do better than Him?! As I was further explaining how I was struggling to fully cut out roots that kept pulling me back down, they uttered a simple statement that stopped me cold, "Then lay down your hatchet for His." Why had I so quickly forgotten that God gives us a weapon too?!
   Yes, He is our protector and He will keep us safe; part of that is not leaving us defenseless. Ephesians 6:17 (TPT)-Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. God gives us a sword! Yay, a knife-like object!! It is the word of God or as it says in the Passion Translation, the spoken Word of God. And His Sword has the ability to cut and pierce to the soul! Not just to the person it is being spoken to but also to the speaker. The most beautiful part is His Sword, His Word, doesn't cut people down; instead it separates darkness from their hearts, minds, and souls. As I have been declaring His Word over me, sharp barriers and sick roots are being destroyed and removed. My slashing tongue is coming under control and now singing the praises and power of Almighty God. My hatchet has been dropped.