It Is War Part II

Continuing on with the thought from yesterday's posting concerning spiritual warfare.
In Ephesians 6:17 we are commanded to take up (lay hold of and possess) the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

In our society today, we discount the power of the Word.
We don't know how to wield it therefore we consider it to be a book of nice platitudes but of little value when it comes to actual day to day life. We find value in the wisdom of man and the technology that comes with it more than we do God's word. We value psychology and science more than we do the wisdom of heaven. If we only really knew and understood exactly what we have been given in God's word.
Truth be known, the Word of God is the weapon of choice by the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God is power.
It is the Salvation unto all men (See Romans 1:16)
If the Word of God is powerless and has no real value, then why does the devil take it and twist the meaning of it?

Ephesians 6:17 commands us to master this word.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 that hearing His words alone profits us nothing,but when we take the words of Christ and put them into practice in our every day life, then things change.
We are using the tools of heaven to build "a house" that is situated on an unshakable foundation that is not affected by the outside forces of this world.
  Concerning God's Word, we read in Hebrews 4:12;
For the word of God is living and active -- If that word is living, then it is the giver of life to a heart that is merely existing. Whats more, the word of God is active. That means it does not sit idly by waiting. The word is always in movement when we hear it, even though we might not perceive it to be doing anything in our lives. Just as we read in Genesis 1, the Spirit of God brooded or hovered over the face of the deep, the word of God is moving in us, on us and around us as God's Spirit is working to bring change to us.

And sharper than any two-edged sword ---  The word of God cuts both ways. For those who seek to take the word to cut others with, be careful----you'll wind up cutting yourself. When wielded wrongly, the word of God will always cut the one trying to use it for personal gain or purpose. This sword never dulls and never needs sharpening. Keep your $14.95 set of Ginsu Knives....give me the sword of the Spirit.

And piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit -- In other words, the sword of the Spirit is a weapon. But it is also a scalpel to be used on ourselves. It is the chief weapon to be used in our lives against secrets. In recovery, we have a saying that a person is "Only as sick as their secrets." By that, we mean that it is the hidden things in our lives that fuel and fire the addiction. I need the Word of God to uncover and divide those secrets that my soulish nature wants to hang on to.

Of both joints and marrow - Joints are the connecting points where bone meets bone. There is a natural lubricant our body produces that keeps these joints from causing pain....The word of God is that "Oil"  or lubricant that brings peace and the ability to move through life day to day. The anointing of God enables me to move in ways that I never could in my natural strength and wsdom.Marrow is the substance found inside our bones which produces red blood cells. The word of God goes deep inside me as the blood of Christ is brought to bear against all sin and "disease" that seeks to destroy me.

And able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart --  Here we see the incredible power of the word of God when wielded by God's Holy Spirit. It has be ability to look beyond behavior and see the intent and motive behind our actions. The word of God brings conviction when needed if our intent and thoughts are not godly. It is a corrective force or compass that points us back to the right direction and course. Is He a good God or what? You got to love Him because of His never ending, never tiring love that is always at work to guide us in the right path.

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word of deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

God on you...
mb