Forks and Goads

The enemy may tolerate forks and goads, but not swords. We do need practical admonition to prick our consciences and move us forward, yet, these are not weapons which will overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:14). We must have the sword for victory.
The most important distinction about the sword is that it is the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God applied by the Spirit of God. It cannot be used effectively without dependence upon God and communion with God (John 18:10). Immediately following the instruction of taking the sword of the Spirit, Paul speaks of supplication in the Spirit which is the bow, or prayer.
In David's lamentation over the death of Saul and Jonathan, he desired that the children of Judah would be taught the use of the bow, the lack of which perhaps had cost them the victory. How many spiritual battles have been lost because prayer has been neglected.