Did you know that the Bible is the oldest book ever written, whose author is still alive?

The Bible addresses many life issues, providing vivid examples that we should pursue, emulate, and use to govern our lives.  If we follow its directives, we will profit and benefit from the warnings it offers concerning right living, friendships, spending, family, our speech, and working as unto the Lord.

As we dive into various scriptures, think about how these verses can assist you in your spiritual growth, and as you minister to others.

We begin with the Amplified version of Psalms 19: 1-6 which says,

“The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring andrefreshing the soul; The statutes of the Lord are reliable andtrustworthy, making wise the simple.8 The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed]; In keeping them there is great reward.”

What the Word Is:

  1. Perfect
  2. Reliable
  3. Desirable
  4. Right
  5. Pure
  6. Clean
  7. Sweet
  8. Valuable

What the Word Does:

  1. Converts and refreshes the soul.
  2. Makes the simple wise.
  3. Rejoices the heart.
  4. Enlightens the eyes.
  5. Warns the servants.
  6. Rewards the obedient.

God’s Word tells Us How to Engage in Warfare with the Enemy:

“And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” (Ephesians 6:17).

God’s Word is an indispensible weapon in Christian warfare. The sword is the ONLY weapon of attack against the enemy.  We are to Wield the sword of the Spirit which defined means… To hold and use a weapon or tool, to brandish, wave, display or flaunt, to use a weapon or instrument, to effectively handle or employ actively, to exercise power, authority, influence as in ruling or dominating, to exert, employ, utilize, manipulate, control or put to use.

We cannot employ, manipulate, or control any weapon with which we are NOT familiar. We must do as 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study (investigate, learn) to show ourselves approved”…We must do what Psalms 119: 11 says, “Hide the Word in our hearts,”and delight ourselves in His statues and not forget them as Psalms 119:16 reminds us.

Jesus Our Example:

Jesus is our key example of how to wield the sword when dealing with the enemy when he comes to question our identity in Christ:

“Now Jesus, full of [and in perfect communication with] the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they ended, He was hungry. 3 Then the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to turn into bread.” 4 Jesus replied to him, “It is written andforever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone[a].’”

 

“Then he led Jesus up [to a high mountain] and displayed before Him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth [and their magnificence] in the twinkling of an eye. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this realm and its glory [its power, its renown]; because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore if You worship before me, it will all be Yours.” 8 Jesus replied to him, “It is written andforever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’”

“Then he (Satan) led Jesus to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple, and said [mockingly] to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 10 for it is written andforever remains written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard andprotect You,’11 and, ‘they will lift You up on theirhands, so that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’”12 Jesus replied to him, “It is said [in Scripture], ‘you shall not tempt the Lord your God [to prove Himself to you].”13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he [temporarily] left Him until a more opportune time.”

Other Biblical Examples:

Other biblical examples we should follow include Paul and Silas, and David. If you have ever experienced adversity, despair, and anguish, you know how daunting this can be to your purpose, vision and self-esteem. In Acts 16:22-29 Paul and Silas found themselves with their clothes torn off, beaten with rods, thrown into the inner prison, and their feet fastened in stocks. This barrage of events was enough to cause depression to the extent of a mental breakdown….”but at midnight…” Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God! When others would have been sulking and licking their wounds, these two men of God chose to offer up a true sacrifice of praise and change the atmosphere in the prison with melodic hymns and prayer! Is this how you face trying times of adversity and discouragement?

Just imagine how they sang those songs from a heart of gratitude and love for the Lord, in spite of their current situation …so much so, that the other prisoners listened and an earthquake occurred and all of the prison doors opened! They chose to trust God though cruelly beaten, falsely accused, and lying in the stench of a prison! They chose to trust God with bleeding backs and shackled feet. They chose the weapon of PRAISE!

David is another great example who was a man after God’s own heart. He did many things right…but when he blew it…he really blew it. In Psalms 51:1-13, David teaches us how to repent when we sin. He does not offer a generic prayer like, “Forgive me for my sin, ” but really delves into confessing and asking that his transgressions be blotted out and for the LORD to wash him thoroughly from iniquity (that which is evil, and what we would do if we thought we could get away with it). David acknowledges (admits and recognizes) his transgression (wrong doings, misbehavior, and disobedience). He sincerely asks the Lord to “Create in me a pure heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me, do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,” (Psalm 51:10-12, NIV).  After all of this, David was now a candidate to teach others God’s ways.

Application:

Jesus wants you to wield your sword …and wield it well, He wants you to KNOW your rights as a Believer!  As a Disciple of Christ we must love the Word, and eat from it often!

Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my own flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,” (John 6:51, KJV). 

The Word on “The Word,” is that it works and addresses the daily challenges and successes we face. Read it, study it, memorize it, use it in prayer and you will see great growth, power and demonstration in your life!

Selah…think on these things!

Article Written by: Dawn Lawrence, Ed.D.