Don’t take a sword to a gunfight

Matthew 4:10-11    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.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Christ had went to John the Baptist and been baptized in the Jordan River by immersion. Christ had risen from the water, a dove had landed on his shoulder, and God had spoken from heaven regarding his son. Afterwards the preparation for his ministry began as Christ was lead into the desert to fast for 40 days. No details of that time seem to be known, but yet Christ in his earthly form, surely drew closer to God in prayer and solitude like never before. Then at the end of the fast, when he was close to God in earthly form, Satan came on the attack. Christ was tempted by Satan as we know, and Christ refuted Satan with only one thing; the Word of God. In all three temptations, Christ quoted Scripture to battle the enemy. The Word of God is our only offensive weapon in the realm of Spiritual Warfare. How will you do battle if you do not know how to fire the gun?

Only a short time ago I experienced a warfare on an elevated plain. Looking back on how I handled it, I failed miserably. My enemy got the best of me, and anger was what came forth, not the Word of God. I felt like Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane lashing out with my sword; I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, “sit back down”. I am passionate, and my emotions will sometimes get the best of me. I have so much to learn; and it is all found in time spent in God’s Word. The more time you spend there in tireless, prayerful pursuit; the more you are prepared to meet whatever the world throws you. 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

What are you doing this morning? Is your day hurriedly trying to meet the deadlines? Has it started out at a stopwatch pace? In my study of this scripture this morning I was lead to Luke 11:21-28. There are many roads to go down in that passage, but at the root of it is the pursuit of God. In that pursuit is found the strength to fight the enemy. The enemy is lurking all around you today. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. You must be prepared to defend yourself, you must know how to also be offensive; how to fire the gun, the Word of God.