For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)

Where do you turn in your Bible when you feel discouraged? When fear paralyzes you? When worry has kept you awake all night? When rejection stings? Are any of these passages readily available in the recesses of your mind, or do you have to look them up? One of the greatest blessings God has given us is His holy Word, the sword of the Spirit.

It is the only offensive weapon we own, and the only one we will ever need.  The other parts of God’s armor protect us, but they don’t deliver a swift blow to the enemy like the sword.

Sadly, we neglect our swords. We can go for days without cracking open our Bibles. Sometimes, we are faithful daily readers, but we read our three chapters without any attention to detail. We are reading the Bible all the way through in one year. How much do we retain? Do we fully understand what we read?

I speak from experience. That’s why I don’t read the Bible in one year now. I’d rather read one verse, meditate on it, grasp its meaning, walk it out, and even try to memorize it.

When the devil tempted Jesus, how did Christ respond? He used His sword. With each temptation, Jesus had a Bible verse ready. If the living Word had to use the written Word, how vital is it for us to know it and wield it?

The Bible is not an ordinary book. Here’s the difference. The Bible is living and breathing. As you read, God speaks to us revealing His plans for our lives. The Bible is also powerful. The enemy knows how to push our buttons, doesn’t he? Have you tasted the sweetness of victory that comes from using the Word against him? It possesses a power unlike any other weapon.

God’s Word also penetrates between soul and Spirit. It’s our guide when we wrestle with our flesh. It leads us from the wrong road and puts us on the right road.

The devil’s favorite battlefield is the mind, but the Word of God acts as a guide by discerning the thoughts. It tells us which thoughts to consider and which ones we need to remove.

The sword of the Spirit often cuts our own hearts. It convicts us when we get too close to temptation. It convicts us of sin. No, the preacher hasn’t been reading your mail. It’s the powerful Word of God revealing your true motives behind a seemingly good deed.

We can also pray through the Scriptures. I love reading the Psalms and praying as I read. I also remind God about His promises as I pray. It’s really a reminder for myself than for God, but it makes prayer time sweeter.

Keep your sword handy. You never know when you will have to pull it out and slay the dragon.

Lord, Your Word is a lamp to my feet. It lights my way. Forgive me for not meditating in Your love letter daily. Your Word is powerful, and Like Christ, I must wield it like a sword as I meet the enemy. Direct me to the passages I need today. Help me remember the power of Your Word, and I thank You for preserving the Bible all these years. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Today, I am sharing some of my favorite verses with you: Exodus 14:14, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 9:9, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Mark 11:24, Romans 12:1-2, and Philippians 4:4-19.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Prayerfully consider the verses you need to use that you haven’t memorized. Work on memorizing them to the best of your ability. You might need to google verses on particular topics.

RELATED RESOURCE

Have you had it with your emotions controlling you? Perhaps menopause or PMS isn’t the only culprit. Sometimes the enemy camouflages mood swings for emotional strongholds, the piece of real estate he occupies in our minds. Is it possible to be the boss of your thoughts and feelings rather than them being the boss of you? Learn more here.

Originally posted on June 11, 2021 @ 3:00 am