Secrets and Swords – Part 2

God spoke the world and every living thing into existence

His words are powerful and surge with creative energy.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:3

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3

God’s Word packs a punch

The Bible, when wielded correctly, can deliver powerful blows to Christians and unbelievers alike.

When I lose my temper, the verse that leaps out at me is this one: He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.   Proverbs 25:28

I’m reminded of my need to exercise self-control. A lack of discipline makes me more vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. I’m also more inclined to sin against the Lord and other people around me.

When I don’t feel like forgiving someone, Ephesians 4:32 will somehow manage to pop up during my personal bible study time or it will be in a devotional or worse, my pastor will do an entire sermon on forgiveness. So there’s no escaping the scripture God uses to crack this stubborn and hard heart of mine.

And be ye kind one to another tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

God’s always directing, provoking and encouraging his children to change.

And when I’m in a bit of a dark mood or I’m irritable or whiney, I’m reminded to :

Rejoice evermore

Pray without ceasing

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thess 5:16-18

They’re not exactly the things I want to do when I’m spiralling downward, but they’re certainly the right things to do to improve my state of mind.

Oftentimes, the verses I need will gently float to my mind like soapy bubbles. At other times scripture will charge at me like an agitated wasp determined to strike anything that moves.

One of my friends explained that sometimes in the middle of reading God’s word she’ll feel convicted by the Holy Spirit, and it’s like being punched in the face—hard enough that her head snaps back from the force.

When that happens, she doodles in the margins of her Bible, drawing fists right next to verses that convict her.

What a great way to mark bible verses that have made an impact. It’s visually more interesting than seeing verses underlined with nearest pen on hand.

The word of God is sharper than a two edged sword

For the word of God is quick(alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even of the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

In Part 1, we discovered that Ehud assassinated King Eglon of the Moabites, with a double edged sword.

God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword, so it’s more like a Lightsaber. (I can hear all the Star Wars fans cheering).

It enters where no sword can to make critical and laser sharp incisions to turn us inside out.

It cuts to the heart to convince and convict—seizing the conscience.

The Lightsaber of God’s word penetrates through the tightly shut places of our inner self for serious dissection, slicing the sinner for a clearer view of what is in his nature.

The word of God communicates truth about sin

On the day of Pentecost, Peter addressed a large gathering of people, primarily Jews who were familiar with the Old Testament scriptures.

Filled with power from the Holy Spirit, Peter used the Word of God and many were deeply stirred.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart. Acts 2:37a

This led to 3000 people receiving Christ as their saviour.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  Acts 2:40

In sharp contrast, sometimes the truth about our personal sins is difficult to accept and is met with anger and resistance. In this instance, outright rejection of truth led to acts of violence and murder.

Stephen boldly proclaimed the Word of God.

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:54, 59.

This young man preached the truth and it cost him his life.

The word of God is part of our spiritual armour

God’s word helps us to fight against Satan’s schemes.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:11, 17

So, don’t forget your sword.

Can you imagine what would’ve happened if Ehud had forgotten to strap on his double edged sword? The nation of Israel would’ve been subjected to many more years of Moabite oppression.

Spiritual Battles

God has equipped his children with a powerful weapon. He has not left us defenceless.

It’s our responsibility to familiarise ourselves with God’s specialised equipment to fight against sin and temptation.

Every day we fight against worldly philosophies, Satan our arch enemy, and even our own sinful desires. Resistance is futile if we are not using God’s sword—The Word of God.

Let us do right by God by using his Word—the sword of the Spirit.