Wielding the Word of God

      Jesus clearly teaches in His Word, “That man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4NIV). The association the LORD makes between the Scriptures and life cannot be denied. For life is not only extended and fortified through the belief and intake of God’s Word it is also multiplied: the saving power of the Gospel rescues life after life from eternal death. Therefore, while it is necessary for us to feed our physical bodies nutrients from the earth, it is even more critical in order to thrive spiritually that we also digest the Holy Scriptures.  

      The LORD not only taught this life principle he demonstrated how to put it into practice. During His own temptation period in the desert, the LORD used the written Word as a shield and a sword to ward off the devil. Every baited lie the enemy cast before Jesus was rejected and cast down because Christ knew and declared the written Truth.  The power of God’s Word is evident in that though Jesus was physically weakened in the flesh due to His fasting, His Spirit was strong. What a boost this illustration is for the followers of Christ! For while we are weak in the flesh by nature, we like Christ can be mighty in our Spirit by the Word of God.

     The key which unlocks the power of the Almighty against our enemy is the knowing of the Word. Believing in Christ and receiving Him as our Savior gains us eternal life, but more is needed to live out our Christian purpose in this world. Jesus says, “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10NIV). This kind of Christian life only comes through feasting upon the Scripture and obeying what it says. For the work of Christ in His earthly ministry bears witness to His divine position as Son of God. His work upon the cross frees us from the shackles of slavery to sin and its eternal consequences. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead shatters fear of death and comforts us with hope of peace beyond the grave. Yet, it is His Word which provides a shield in the battle for our souls and places a weapon in our hands. What makes up the bulk of  the word “sword”? The word… “WORD”!

     In the physical realm the sword of man is only as strong and victorious as its possessor. However, in the spiritual battle men, women and children need not despair for their physical weakness. Praise God all followers of Christ are fiercely empowered with the eternal almighty power of the Word. Young and old are capable of wielding the power of heaven through knowing the first spoken and later written Word of God. The same power which created the heavens and the earth is unleashed against the kingdom of darkness when we speak God’s Word.

     Lisa Bevere, author of Girls with Swords encourages women to rise up with the power of the Living Word in our hearts and minds to wreck havoc in the enemy’s plans and take back territory for the Kingdom. I say “Amen!” to Lisa’s battle cry. The scriptures testify again and again that the Truth defeats the darkness and pushes back the devil. Dear sisters we cannot leave the fight up to a few warriors in the faith. We are all needed in this war!

     Ladies, my prayer is that we united in Christ will purpose to be in the word, study the word and build up our arsenal of knowledge of Scripture. May we take seriously the reality that we are called to the battlefield in our minds and in our hearts to know and align with Truth proclaiming victory in Jesus Christ. Not only that we may live the abundant life Jesus desires for us, but that we would also rescue prisoners of war sentenced to eternal death in the enemy’s camp.

“Lord, inspire us by your Holy Spirit to sharpen our sword through daily focused reading in Your Word. Grant us opportunity to be not only hearers of Your Word, but doers by Your Word.  May we “be strong and of great courage” before are foe and bring glory to YOU our God!"  

For the King!

Tracy Frazier

 

For further contemplation watch the short IV (Inspirational Video) and Music video below.

Video: Lisa Bevere - Girls with Swords
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptm-d9JxHhw

Music video: Mercy Me - Word of God Speak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYu8ZyETnKo