Health Update: It is with great sadness that I report my cancer has progressed significantly. The chemo and immunotherapy no longer work. So they set up a hospice company for us. They installed a med bed in our house, whole best of pain meds, and provided a walker and wheelchair, etc.
So I am all set up for final run
My mindset remains steadfast: Trust God, fight everyday, focus on living, not dying.
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Ephesians 6.16-17
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.“
I want to continue with last week’s theme of reading, listening to, and meditating on the word of God. The primacy and power of the word of God in the life of the Christian cannot be overstated. In the Ephesians passage quoted above, the apostle tells us that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and it is an essential part of the weaponry to defeat the attacks and schemes of the enemy.
Scripture is a weapon of divine origin that Christians must use in hand-to-hand combat with the devil. The word of God is a weapon we should use to cut through the schemes of the enemy. Can you imagine a soldier going to battle without a sword? Or a combatant entering the arena with a sword that is dull and dented and rusted because it hasn’t been properly cared for?
Sadly, that is all too common, as many Christians fail to diligently study the word of God. As a result, they are not equipped to defend themselves against the attacks of the enemy and are easily deceived and defeated. Nor are they able to go on the offensive; they cannot cut through the obstacles and impediments the enemy puts in their path.
The book of Hebrews goes even deeper into the metaphor of the word as the sword of the Spirit: “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. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
The word of God is not a mere book. It is not a static document. It is Spirit-inspired, and therefore dynamic and powerful. It is “living and active” as this Hebrews passage says, and it cuts through our attempts to hide or rationalize. The bible is the only book that when you read it, the Author is always present. The Lord uses the word to penetrate deep into our lives, reaching places within us that we fear to go. The word exposes “the thoughts and intentions of the heart” and calls us to be completely honest and open before God.
The Lord uses his word to cut to the heart of what is most important. The Lord uses his word to speak truth into our life. However, he does not force his word on us. We must choose to submit. We must invest the time to read, study, reflect, and pray. The Spirit prompts, moves, and convicts, but he does not force. He has given us the gift of choice, and he wants us to choose him.
The message in Hebrews 4 is that the sword of the Spirit is not only for fighting external battles with the devil; it is also for fighting internal battles with yourself. With your old nature. With the part of you that enjoys sin. With your deepest thoughts and intentions. God invites you into a relationship with Himself, and when you respond to that invitation He will leave no part of your life untouched. God invites you to follow Him all the time in everything.
May we hear the voice of the Lord and obey. May we allow the sword of the Spirit to pierce us and transform us. “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139.23-24)
The group MercyMe has a great worship song about the power of God’s word. Here is a link to their song “Word of God Speak.”
