We live in a sin filled world. All around us is pain, death, deception and heartache. Just yesterday, forty-four Orthodox Jewish citizens of Israel died in a stampede at a religious festival. Every day there are reports of police clashes with riots, Facebook is filled with posts for prayers for some young child suffering from some ailment and government officials charged with some type of crime.
The enemy is definitely hard at work. His influence on this world is being felt in almost every corner of it. What are we to do to protect ourselves and our loved ones? Fortunately, there is a weapon that is very powerful against him and one that has never failed the test.
When Jesus was baptized, He was endowed with the Holy Spirit and was whisked off to the wilderness. In this isolation, he came face to face with the Devil himself and wielded this weapon mightily. The Devil offered him the same things he has been offering mankind since his deception in the garden. He offered Jesus food, health and power.
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:8
Jesus words cut like a sword into the promises of the devil. In every temptation, Jesus used the Word of God to fight off His enemy. This was His most effective weapon. We too have access to this weapon as we too are being attacked every day. The Bible says we are not fighting against flesh and blood but principalities.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Guns, knives and real swords will not destroy these attackers but the Sword of God will cut into their very being and run them off like cockroaches exposed to light. We have access to this weapon anytime and we need to use it as much as possible. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
As children of the Living God, we must fight back and not be devoured. We must take up our armor and our Sword to fight the one whose desire is to destroy.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:17
Equip yourself with this Sword. Carry your Bible where ever you go. Embed in your mind the passages that will fight off the enemy and use them with great power. Isn't it interesting that "word" is part of the word "sword".
Next time you feel like you are under attack, remove this Sword from its sheath and proclaim:
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Amen.
It is Written...
And that is the Whole Truth!
May God truly bless you in your walk with Him.
And remember, God always answers His kneemail.
