Pick Up Your Sword
Take a life stop.
Set all of the other things you consider important aside.
Please say these words out loud: “The Bible is God’s Word. I will read it.” (Don’t get hung up on me asking you to say these words aloud…I know it seems juvenile. Do it-please.)
Pause and consider the importance of regular Bible reading…if you have one, dust it off. If not make an eternal investment…buy one. (Translations matter: ESV, NKJV, ASV, NLT and NIV are 5 I suggest.) Really, it’s that important.
Why read the Bible? There is an easy and frightening answer.
You and I are in a battle. We have souls. The unseen enemy of every human wants your soul in hell. Sorry to be so blunt. He works on your soul and mine, every moment. His goal: our eternal destruction.
GREAT NEWS: WE HAVE A PERFECT WEAPON.
God has given it to us. Yes-it is the Bible! The apostle Paul calls it the “SWORD of the SPIRIT.” The Bible is our defense against the-every moment attacks of the devil.
Now…Why is this true: (two truths for today…more with the blog to follow.)
1. The Bible is God’s WORD. God’s WORD IS LIVING.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
There is no other book in the world like the Bible. No other book is God’s WORD. No other book is living/alive. No other book is activated to touch the human soul when it is read. God’s word fits the need of the human soul. In it God speaks of His great love for you and me. No other book can reach our souls. No other book turns away the devil’s attack.
2. God’s Word defeats Satan’s attacks-every time. Jesus defeated the attacks of Satan with God’s Word during the 40 days He was tempted in the wilderness. Three times Jesus used the words “It is written,” to turn away Satan’s attacks. Grab your Bible…read Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days…and Jesus defeated Satan with His Sword-God’s Word.
This is the truth. We are in a battle-and we are foolish to ignore it…it is real. No one can defeat our soul’s enemy without God’s SWORD: the Bible. And God has given it to us to use.
The battle is already on…
…if I could, I would respectfully look you in the eye and softly ask you to “please…pick up your SWORD.”