The Bible says that words have the power of death and life . “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) “
Back in the early 80’s I used to be on staff at another church here in Las Cruces, NM. In fact, it was my first official ministry position fresh out of Bible College. I had the honor of leading a “bus ministry”.
There was a 9 yr. old boy, I’ll call him “John”, who was one of my bus riders. He’d been through some tough times including being sexually abused as a young child and did not trust males. His mom related his story to me, and needless to say, I was moved to tears by it. I still have a hard time believing that parents would abuse their children just as John had been abused.
Over several months, I had finally developed a trusting relationship with him. In fact, he trusted me so much that he was willing to go out-of-town to children’s camp with our church, but only if I was going.
Things got tough for him there, too. On one particular occasion he even asked me permission to call his mom. Calling home was something we had already told the kids that we would not allow, but I gave in knowing his history. As he talked to his mom I realized that this had been the first time he had ever been away from his ‘protector’ and he missed her terribly. I once again assured him that I would not allow anything to happen to him while he was in my care.
John is one of those lives that make being in ministry worth it all!
As God often does, He had fulfilled our purpose for that ministry and was now moving Gayla and I away from that particular ministry. It was one of the most difficult decisions that we had ever had to make, but we had to obey Him.
On our last Sunday, the church held a Farewell Reception for us. It was at that reception that I realized just how much John had come to trust me and love me.
I walked into the Fellowship Hall and caught a glimpse of John’s mom. She made a bee-line over to me with John. He looked up at me and handed me a small black box. As I opened the box, which held a set of Cross pens, John proudly informed me that it had cost him $20, so I better not ever lose them! In the box was also a small tightly folded up note that said, “Dear Brother Ruben, I wish you didn’t have to live.”
Since Gayla had not yet involved me in her career as an elementary teacher, I was taken back by his note. As I read it over several times, I finally realized that what John wrote and what he meant were two different things. What he meant to say was, “Dear brother Ruben, I wish you didn’t have to leave.”
Despite the spelling error John’s words are still as precious to me today as the day he first wrote them. Words really do have the power of death or life! Words are unbelievable as they can affirm us or destroy us. How much more powerful are the words God inspired, protected, personalized and gave to us as His Word, the Bible? We need to be reminded often of just how powerful God’s word really is. So, I challenge you to take a moment and do the study below, allowing God to once again affirm you by His leaving Word. Oops! I mean living Word! Enjoy!!
OBSERVATION: What do I see?
“... and .... take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)
Q- What comes to your mind when you read the word “sword”? Why?
INTERPRETATION: What does it mean?
The sword was the most common weapon in battle. In fact, the word “sword” is mentioned 449 times in the Bible. The other pieces of the armor in God’s arsenal are defensive in nature, but the sword is primarily an offensive weapon. In fact, Jesus used the sword of God’s Word against Satan and it also gave a deadly blow to the beast found in Revelation 13:3 & 14.
Then Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He was not saying that He, the Prince of Peace, came to start wars. Instead, He was pointing out that the sword of God’s word has a dividing effect.
Several times, the sword of God’s Word is depicted as being two edged. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The two edges of the Spirit’s sword are the two witnesses of God’s word, the New Testament and the Old Testament. It is also called a two-edged sword because it is to be used both against the enemy and for personal use. See (Acts 16:27)
Roman soldiers would use their swords for cooking, splitting kindling, and for cutting. In the same way the Word of God is a practical tool for every area of our life as well as for fighting our adversary. Since there was not stainless steel an used sword would bet rusty, dull and pit. So swords had to be kept clean by frequent honing them against a stone or another soldier’s sword. In the same way when we study the Bible with others, our skill in the Word is sharpened. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Q- 1 Peter 3:15“says ... always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you...” How well are you prepared? What needs to change?
APPLICATION: How does it apply to my life?
Q- How are you using the sword of God’s Word in your life now? Where does it need to be applied?
SUPPLICATION: Where do I need God’s help?
Q- Maybe Satan has been attacking you in some way. How can the sword of the Word help defeat him. What is your responsibility?
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