When you play football you have a playbook, which is full of instructions and diagrams to help you learn the plays. To be a successful player you must commit to memory the plays and understand how to carry out each play. You then take to practicing the plays over and over again as a team until the coach believes you can successfully perform them against your opponents. After all the memorization, study and practice you finally put the plays into action during the game. If you can accomplish every play offensively and defensively like clock-work, you will win games!
What if we treated God’s word like our life’s playbook? Would that change the way we look at picking it up? Knowing it? Living by it in every situation? If we are serious about knowing God more and winning souls for Jesus it would. So why is it that one of the hardest things for us to do seems to be to grab hold of our Bible and dive in to God’s word? If you think about it for a second the answer is pretty obvious.
When we are saved in Jesus Christ we are secured by Him and not even Satan can steal us from God’s hand (John 10:29). So satan does not concern himself as much with our belt, our breastplate, our shoes, our helmet or even our shield, sure he cares and wants to hinder our using them but all together they are defensive weapons; weapons that protect us against attacks and secure us. The sword is the only weapon in the armor that’s purpose is not primarily defensive (though it is good for that too!), it is an offensive weapon. With the sword we not only ward of the attacks of the enemy, we take the fight back to him.
Satan cannot stand against God’s word (Matt. 4:10-11), and with it we take the power of God to a lost and dieing world allowing them to be forever changed (Rom. 1:16). I believe it is this piece of the armor that he is most afraid of, for it is power, it is the law of and testimony of God. It will never cease to be (Matt. 24:35) and it will never change for He will never change (Heb. 13:8). Satan knows the power of the sword and he will try in everything to keep you from it. He will try to hinder you from wielding it and he will try to convince you how to use it in a way that diminishes its power (he can quote the scripture too!), so be wary of false doctrines and traditions of men.
Are you taking hold of the Sword of the Spirit today? Of course not you are too busy. After all it is not all that important anyway, it is not like it will change the life of the reader and the hearer. Or will it? Yes, it most definitely will (Isaiah 55:11)!
Pray
Ancient of Days, I praise You because You never change. I thank You for Your word that was shared with me so that I was able to believe in You. Help me to realize the offensive power that is in Your word so that I may be strong in You and take the Gospel to the world. I know that I do not have to be afraid of satan because he cannot stand against You and Your word! You reign supreme oh mighty God! Help me to wield Your sword with humility, truthfulness and confidence, so that it will make a change in both my life and the lives of those with whom I share it! I love You! In Jesus’ most holy, true and powerful name I ask and pray, Amen.
