This may surprise some of you, but I always carry a weapon with me. And when Altha and I go through customs in Belize this Saturday (on our third missionary trip), they will ask us: “Are you carrying any weapons?” So I suppose we’ll have to tell them the truth: “Yes, we are armed!”
Allow me to explain. The weapon I am referring to is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). In Matthew 4:4 & 7 we see how Jesus used this weapon when refuting the temptations of the devil. Jesus responds, "It is written" and "It is also written."
Jesus resisted Satan’s lies by using the actual words of Scripture—the truth! He did not rely on his own ability to outwit or out-talk the devil. And He was fully prepared for this moment, having read and memorized the Scriptural texts—the written Word(s) of God. Jesus demonstrated that Satan is not rebuffed by cleverness or erudite theological arguments. Our weapon against him is the Bible. Jesus had spent 30 years learning how to use this weapon. If this was true for Jesus, how much more for you and me. When Satan comes along, will you be carrying a weapon?
Greg,
ReplyDeleteAmong the apostle Paul's most comprehensive passages of exhortation the third chapter of Colossians rates at the top. In it he admonishes his readers to: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." (v.16).
Thanks again, blog-Pastor Greg, for your following in Paul's footsteps by way of exhortation. Your illustration of always carrying a "weapon"--concealed or not--is an echo of the above Scripture, an application of eternal truth to our vernacular culture!
Stan
How true! and it just occurred to me that many people have this weapon, but don't know how to use it! They have not allowed the word richly dwell (get inside) them.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your comments/thoughts are appreciated.