Playing Offense
In our small group Bible study last Sunday night, we discussed the armor of God found in Ephesians 6.
The belt of truth, God's truth that holds us together.
The breatsplate of righteousness, the righteousness that has been given to us by God and protects our hearts.
The feet fitted with readiness, the preparedness to run wherever God calls because we have peace with God through the gospel of Christ.
The shield of faith, the confident belief we hold to deflect the enemy's arrows of attack.
The helmet of salvation, the very salvation that keeps us alive.
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
"You know, that's the only offensive weapon listed. The Word of God." My friend commented. It tooke a minute to process and understand what my friend was saying, but then we all realized how true it was.
"Yeah, and that's funny because we tend to think of God's Word as being a defensive weapon."
We all nodded in agreement as we thought about Jesus when he was tempted in the wilderness. We learn from that story that we, like Jesus, can use the Scriptures to defensively fight the enemy.
Ephesians 6 teaches us that Scripture can also be used to fight offensively. Could it be that we are instructed to write Scripture on our hearts, not only to have a defensive weapon in times of temptation, but also to have an offensive weapon to carry day by day?
I want to have the Scriptures inscribed so deeply on my heart that is flows in my thoughts constantly and comes out of my lips frequently, not just when temptation and trials strike. This proactive, offensive use of Scripture keeps the enemy away. For where truth reigns, Satan has no foothold.
The ball is in our court when Scripture is always - constantly, continually - on our minds, hearts, and tongues. This is offense, and we don't need to live perpetually playing defense. If God is for us, then who could be against us? With Christ on our side and Scripture written on our hearts, we have the ball in our court. It is time to play offensively.
The belt of truth, God's truth that holds us together.
The breatsplate of righteousness, the righteousness that has been given to us by God and protects our hearts.
The feet fitted with readiness, the preparedness to run wherever God calls because we have peace with God through the gospel of Christ.
The shield of faith, the confident belief we hold to deflect the enemy's arrows of attack.
The helmet of salvation, the very salvation that keeps us alive.
And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
"You know, that's the only offensive weapon listed. The Word of God." My friend commented. It tooke a minute to process and understand what my friend was saying, but then we all realized how true it was.
"Yeah, and that's funny because we tend to think of God's Word as being a defensive weapon."
We all nodded in agreement as we thought about Jesus when he was tempted in the wilderness. We learn from that story that we, like Jesus, can use the Scriptures to defensively fight the enemy.
Ephesians 6 teaches us that Scripture can also be used to fight offensively. Could it be that we are instructed to write Scripture on our hearts, not only to have a defensive weapon in times of temptation, but also to have an offensive weapon to carry day by day?
I want to have the Scriptures inscribed so deeply on my heart that is flows in my thoughts constantly and comes out of my lips frequently, not just when temptation and trials strike. This proactive, offensive use of Scripture keeps the enemy away. For where truth reigns, Satan has no foothold.
The ball is in our court when Scripture is always - constantly, continually - on our minds, hearts, and tongues. This is offense, and we don't need to live perpetually playing defense. If God is for us, then who could be against us? With Christ on our side and Scripture written on our hearts, we have the ball in our court. It is time to play offensively.
I'm so glad this made it to your blog!!
ReplyDeleteLove ya!
Rachael