Sword Instructions...Or...How to Use Your Bible
Have you picked up your sword? Don’t feel guilty if you haven’t…just pick up your Bible and read a chapter from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. It’s easy to forget about the battle we are in. The vicious lion enemy we face fights dirty. He sneaks. He’s silent. And he is violent, cruel and evil. World history proves it…wars, murder, theft, lies, abortion, drug addiction, alcoholism…get the picture? The enemy of our souls does these and more. Where does evil originate? The enemy of our souls. He’s on the attack-now.
When a virus strikes what do we do? You know we spent months dealing with one.
Now this is the truth: Satan is the real pandemic! The Word of God is the only way to defeat him.
How can we pick up our swords? Try these:
1. Hear God’s Word:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17
When you hear the Bible read aloud- God’s Word brings faith. Really? Just read the Bible aloud? Try it.
2. Read it:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
My dear friend…the number one weapon our enemy uses is LIES. Your Sword is the TRUTH. Please…pick up your Sword. Read the Bible.
3. Sing it! That’s right sing God’s Word.
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
Ephesians 5:18-19
(Verse 18 included for context.) How do we sing God’s word? There are thousands of scripture-based songs. Try adding them to the music you listen to. It’s a way to pick up your sword. Music re-echoes in our hearts. When the lyrics come from the Bible, the repletion of God’s word brings peace, hope, and joy. Sing God’s Word!
One more: meditate on God’s Word. Ok…change that to reflect on what you read from the Bible.
““Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
These verses were first given to the Jewish nation centuries ago.
Two words stand out in these verses:
Repeat
Talk
Let God’s word “soak” into your soul…talk with someone about what you are reading from the Bible…repeat what you’ve read as the day goes by.
The battle for your soul is lasts for our entire lifetime… as long as we live.
We are in a battle…pick up your sword.
The Bible is our best weapon against the unseen enemy. It is God’s weapon for our use.