I had once been an atheist actor in the entertainment industry and my purpose in life had been defined by my resume. In 2004, Christ Jesus saved me from myself. I now preach GOD's Word and my purpose is found in dying to myself daily while living for others.
Someone wrote to me and asked, “What are the best tips for spiritual warfare according to the Bible?”
That’s a good question. It is quite evident that we are in the last of the last days. Jesus told us that we will recognize the season even if we do not know the exact day nor hour (Matthew 24:33,36). The birth pangs are getting more intense and the time between them is becoming shorter and shorter (Matthew 24:8). Global elitists are uniting together with an evil agenda against the Kingdom of GOD; and worse, the church has been infiltrated and corrupted. We are in the apostasy. Many have fallen away and many are falling away. People are not enduring sound doctrine; they are not remaining faithfully obedient to the Word of GOD; rather, they only want preachers who will tell them what they want to hear so they can pursue pleasure at the expense of their purpose. And so GOD gave them their desire! And now pansy preachers stand behind the pulpit and they pedal lies to the people for the sake of their own profit. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing!
Listen, we are all in a war against evil whether you want to be in it or not. So you might as well be trained and ready for battle. When you received your calling as a Christian, you were drafted into the Kingdom’s army. So, what does the Word of GOD instruct us to do?
James tells us to submit to GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to GOD and He will draw near to you. Do not be double-minded (James 4:7-8).
John tells us, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1John 2:15).
Jesus Himself told us that those who desire to gain the whole world will do so at the expense of their own souls (Mark 8:36).
Paul tells us, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons” (1Corinthians 10:21).
It is for this reason Joshua challenged the entire Israel army: “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
However, no soldier goes out onto the battlefield without first putting on his/her armor. And this is why Paul instructs us, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints!” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
ARMOR UP!
We need to become warriors of the faith who diligently present ourselves approved to GOD as workers who do not need to be ashamed of the Gospel because we are able to accurately handle the Word of Truth. Now, if anyone desires to be trained up and equipped with the full armor of GOD, I will be teaching this in great detail on my podcast in my Superhero University series. You can find me on Anchor or Spotify under “Pointless Thorns”
Are you a soldier of the Kingdom, or not? Armor up!
(2Timothy 3:16-17)
“16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
———
Perceived Problem:
Paul wrote that “all” Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD. Somepeople think that the word “all” should be replaced by the word “every.” Plus, some believe that the copula “is” should be placed after the remark concerning the inspiration of the Scriptures, not before. In doing so this can lead to the conclusion that some Scripture is not inspired.
Solution:
First, most versions translate this verse “All Scripture is God-breathed,” except those that translate this verse with the copula “is” after the word “God.” This makes it sound like there are some Scriptures that are not inspired of GOD (e.g., RSV, ASV), although the marginal notes in these translations give a more accurate rendering. But, most Bibles see the verse as reading “All Scripture is inspired of God.”
Second, concerning whether the word “all” should be translated “every,” some argue that it should on the grounds of, if the definite article is missing in reference to this word, the verse should be translated “every.” However, whenever the word “Scripture” [graphē] is used in the New Testament, it always refers to authoritative and inspired writings — never the opposite — with or without the definite article in Greek. This word is used of the Hebrew Scriptures (as in our present verse) or New Testament writings (2Peter 3:16).
Third, the Greek word for “inspired by God” suggests that GOD so guided the New Testament authors as to write the very word of GOD. As we notice in 2Peter 1:20-21, no prophecy of Scripture came about by the will of man but by the Holy Spirit moving (carrying along) the writers of Scripture to speak from GOD. The word for “moved” [phero] in 2Peter 1:21 is the same word used in Acts 27:15 where the ship which carried Paul was so caught up in a storm that they could not face the wind. They gave way to it, and they let themselves be “driven along” by the storm. This is true of the Holy Spirit inspiring the authors of Holy Scripture to write the Word of GOD. But if all the authors of Scripture were moved by GOD, then the words of Scripture were breathed out by GOD and without error, since GOD cannot err (Numbers 23:19; 1Samuel 15:29; Isaiah 40:8; 55:11; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2; John 17:17).
Finally, even if it could be argued from the New Testament that not every use of “the Scriptures” refers to an inspired writing, nonetheless, it would not undermine Paul’s teaching (in this specific verse under examination) that the entire Old Testament is inspired of GOD. For the context makes it clear that the “Scripture” to which he refers is “the Holy Scriptures” (2Timothy 3:15) which Timothy’s Jewish mother and grandmother had taught him (2Timothy 1:5), and this could be none other than the whole Jewish Old Testament.
Inspiration:
The word “inspired” is the English translation of the Greek word theopneustos, which is a compound of the words theos and pneuma. The word theos is the word for God and the word pneuma comes from its root word pneo, which communicates the idea of the dynamic movement of air as to breathe hard or blow, like a gust of wind. Therefore, the word theopneustos means God-breathed.
For instance, the concept of this movement of breath can mean to blow air as through an instrument in order to produce a distinct musical sound. But there are also places in Scripture where it is translated to breathe or to emit a fragrance. And finally, this root word can be used to denote the projection of emotions, such as anger, courage, or goodwill. But when the root word becomes pneuma (as in this specific verse under examination), it carries a more profound range of meanings, including life, force, life-force, energy, dynamism, and power. The Jews considered the pneuma to be the powerful force of GOD that created the universe and all living things, and the force that continues to sustain creation. In the Old Testament, the pneuma of GOD would sometimes move mightily upon a person, enabling him to do supernatural feats.
And so this “inspiration” is the image of GOD breathing or emitting His own substance into something/someone. Just as a musician would blow in an instrument to produce a distinct sound, the breath of GOD moved through willing human participants who penned the Scriptures; consequently, they became the unique instruments through whom GOD expressed His heart and will. They were the physical writers of Scripture, but GOD — who is Spirit (John 4:24) — was the Great Musician who breathed through them. And each one of them produced their own distinct ‘sound’ according to their distinct personalities. Thus, the Bible is GOD’s message delivered through human writers to the human race.
Just as the word pneuma can carry the idea of a fragrance, the Word was breathed out from GOD and thus carries His very essence and fragrance within it. And since this word can also portray the projection of emotions, this tells us that GOD projected the totality of His emotion into the written Word when He inspired its writing. Therefore, the Word not only conveys an intellectual message, but GOD’s heart is revealed within that message.
It’s important to understand that the pneuma of GOD didn’t merely create the Scripture and then depart from it. This power — the same power that originally created and continues to sustain the universe — is still working inside the Word, upholding and empowering it to be just as strong as it was the day it was penned by “God-breathed” writers.
An example of this theopneustos (“God-breathed”) can be illustrated with a balloon. If I blow into a deflated balloon, the balloon will inflate. The blowing of my breath causes the balloon to fill up so that its true form becomes visible. After the balloon is fully inflated, I tie a knot at its base in order to trap the air within. And now the air that filled the balloon and caused it to take form becomes the substance that empowers it to sustain its form. And if the molecules inside the balloon were to be analyzed, my DNA would be discovered within. Likewise, GOD’s breath produced life-giving words until the end result was the finished work of the Bible. And if each human writer was a unique instrument, then the Bible is an entire orchestra that’s playing a heavenly symphony, which conveys a message of love from GOD to all humanity. Thus, GOD is the Great Composer and the Bible is His heavenly symphony.
Summary of Inspiration:
Since the GOD of the Bible is all-knowing (Psalm 139:1-6; 147:5), all-good (Psalm 136; 1Peter 2:3), and all-powerful (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 19:26), it follows that He would not inspire books for the faith and practice of believers down through the centuries and then fail to preserve them. Lost inspired books would be a lapse in GOD’s providence. The GOD who knows and numbers the stars by name (Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26) and cares for the sparrows and numbers the hairs on your head (Luke 12:6-7) will certainly care for His Scriptures so that His Word will not be lost nor return void (Isaiah 55:11). In short, if GOD inspired the Scriptures (2Timothy 3:16), GOD will preserve them. GOD completes what GOD begins (Philippians 1:6; Revelation 22:13). To say that the Bible is not inspired because GOD produced and preserved His Word through finite and fallible humans is to try to change the definition of GOD to fit the finite and fallible flaw of the humans themselves. That’s why in Luke 18:27 it is written, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” The Bible is inspired because the very people GOD used to produce the Bible were inspired and guided by the infallible GOD. And if any books were written that were not inspired and contained heresies, wouldn’t GOD be able to communicate the heresies to His children via the Holy Spirit? In fact, that is what GOD did and that’s why there were apocryphal books that were rejected and never included as being inspired. GOD is Truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17); GOD is Light (Genesis 1:3; John 1:4; 8:12; 1John 1:5). When GOD shines the light of Truth into the darkness, the darkness cannot remain (John 1:5) and lies are exposed and Truth is revealed (Daniel 2:22; Mark 4:22; John 3:19-21).
The 66 books of the Bible were written over 1,600 years (from approximately 1500 B.C. – A.D. 100) by more than 40 people (kings, prophets, leaders, and common folk). The Old Testament has 39 books (written approximately 1500-400 B.C.). The New Testament has 27 books (written approximately A.D. 45-100). The text of the Bible is better preserved than the writings of Caesar, Plato, and Aristotle. A thorough examination of the Bible reveals that the 66 books within were/are inspired by GOD.
Equipped:
Verse 16 continues by saying that the inspired Word of GOD is profitable for teaching. The word “profitable” is the English translation of the Greek word ophelimos, which means helpful,useful, advantageous, and profitable in the sense that it brings forth increase and is of benefit. The word “teaching” is the English translation of the Greek word didaskalia, which means doctrine or that which is taught from the teacher. This, of course, denotes the teachings we affirm and believe to be true. The Lord is the Teacher (Matthew 23:8; 26:18; John 13:13-14). Doctrine is the foundation of what we believe and it affects our worldview, impacts what we think, and determines what we believe is right and wrong. It guides us in life, determines our convictions and standards, and affects all of our actions and activities in life. Thus, the inspired Word of GOD will teach us what is true and it will be of great benefit to us, causing us to grow. It is for this reason that Jesus told us that if we establish our lives on His Word and act in obedience to His Word, then we will have established our lives on the firm foundation of Him who is the Rock, and we will not fall apart in the storm that we will certainly experience in life (Matthew 7:24-27). And Paul says that if Christ is our Teacher and Head of the body, then we won’t be carried about by every wind of false doctrine (Ephesians 4:14-15) because we will be secure in the true teachings of the Lord.
The inspired Word is profitable for reproof. The word “reproof” is the English translation of the Greek word elegchos, from elegcho, which means proof or evidence by rebuking another with the truth so that the person is convicted. We see an example of this same word in Matthew 18:15 when Jesus said, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private.” Thus, the inspired Word not only benefits the one who reads the Word, but also those who listen to the spoken Word.
The inspired Word is profitable for correction. The word “correction” is the English translation of the Greek word epanorthosis, which means to be reformed and straightened up again. The word literally means a restoration to an upright state. In Luke 13:11-13, we see a physical example of this when Jesus healed a woman who had been bent over for 18 years, and then she was made straight, able to stand erect. But the deeper meaning of epanorthosis is one of a spiritual reformation. In all sense of the word, it is a correction that adjusts someone who is spiritually bent or slumped over so that the person will come back into alignment with GOD’s will in an upright state.
The inspired Word is profitable for training in righteousness. The word “training” is the English translation of the Greek word paideia, which means educational or training instruction that a child would receive through disciplinary correction. In Hebrews 12:5-11, using the same word paideia, it is written that GOD the Father deals with us as children and disciplines us for our good so that we may share His holiness. And this, of course, is why it is training in righteousness. The word “righteousness” is the English translation of the Greek word dikaiosune, which is the character or quality of being right or just. It’s an attribute of GOD. As children of GOD, we are being trained to live holy lives, reflecting the Lord just as the Son reflects the Father (John 14:15; 15:10).
Verse 17 concludes by saying, “so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” The word “adequate” is the English translation of the Greek word artios, which means complete or perfect. This word stresses that in which nothing is maimed. It refers not only to the presence of all the parts that are necessary for completeness but also to the further adaptation and aptitude of these parts for their designed purposes. The word “equipped” is the English translation of the Greek word exartizo, which is a compound of the words ek (or ex) and artios. The word ek denotes origin, meaning from or out of. But the subtle changes in this compounded word produces an entirely new meaning: to equip fully, to thoroughly furnish. So, not only are the necessary parts present for completeness, but now as if coming out from perfection to finalization, it is thoroughly equipped, as if an advanced model, lacking nothing and equipped for everything. This ancient word was used to describe a ship that had been completely and thoroughly equipped with all the necessary equipment and gear so that it was able to sail anywhere in the world, complete and ready for any weather conditions it may encounter. Paul used this word to tell us that we are not prepared to set sail in life until the inspired Word of GOD has thoroughly equipped us for the journey.
In fact, the only other occurrence of this specific word in the New Testament is found in Acts 21:5: “When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey.” In context, Paul had been sailing the Mediterranean Sea from Miletus toward Jerusalem with a group of fellow believers. The phrase “were ended” is the same Greek word and thus means their time at that location had been accomplished, completed, and brought to a state of finalization. Only then did Paul and Luke leave that location to set sail for their new destination. To illustrate this point further, In Acts 20:20-24, Paul declared that he taught the disciples the “profitable” Word, and that he was bound by the Spirit to travel to Jerusalem, being informed by the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions await him. But Paul said he was ready to finish his course. And then in Acts 21:11-13, fellow believers, through prophecy, informed Paul that he would be persecuted in Jerusalem and so they begged him not to go there. However, Paul answered, “For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Paul knew that he was traveling into a great storm; however, because the inspired Word throughly equipped him for the journey, he was already complete and lacked nothing, ready for everything.
In the beginning of the original disciples’ walk with Christ, they encountered a storm in an ill-equipped boat which matched their ill-equipped spiritual state (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). The disciples reacted in fear and panic because they did not have GOD’s Word rooted within them. And because they did not have GOD’s Word as their firm foundation, they were not fully equipped for the journey. Even years later, the disciples had still not been fully equipped and so they broke apart in the storm of persecution in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50-52). But eventually, the disciples were all fully equipped and sailed boldly into the storm knowing that the Lord guides them through the valley of the shadow of death (Acts 4).
Conclusion:
The truth is that in this life we are going to be hated and persecuted (Matthew 10:22; 24:9; Mark 13:13; John 15:18-20; Acts 14:22; 2Corinthians 4:8-12; 2Timothy 3:12). So, do you have the inspired Word of GOD within you so that you may be thoroughly equipped for the journey?
The Artist J:
Have you ever stopped and thought about just how important the word of God is for a Christian? It is only because of the word of God that you can even become a believer in Christ. Although it is the substitutionary death on our behalf by Jesus that allows sinners to be forgiven by God the Father, it is in fact the hearing or reading of the WORD of the Gospel that the Holy Spirit uses to initiate our faith, allowing us to cling to Christ for that salvation. Without ever hearing the good news of Jesus placing our sins upon Himself and paying the wages of them, we would have never known the good news existed. If God hadn’t been faithful to preserve His word then people would have stopped being saved over 2000 years ago. Yet God is always faithful, and our faith is obtained through Jesus the same way today as it was then, hearing the words of God.
Romans 10:13-17 says “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
These verses are basically saying that people are saved through faith, but how are they going to put faith in someone who they’ve never even heard of? The only way they’ll put their faith in Jesus is by them reading or hearing the words of God spoken to them. You can’t believe in Christ without believing His word, because the word is the vessel that provides the faith to believe. It is the catalyst to salvation. The Holy Spirit uses the scriptures that He Himself inspired authors to write, in order for people to discern His good and perfect will, to separate what is true from what is false, to reflect your own sin and wickedness before God, yet also provide a comfort in knowing there is hope of salvation and redemption for those who have fallen short of those words.
Hebrews 4:12 says, ”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.”
The word of God is living and active because the Holy Spirit is living and active, using the word to convict of sin and provide you knowledge to the means of life. The word of God gives life through the Spirit, and it’s only through the Holy Spirit that it can be understood.
John 6:63 says “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
In this verse Jesus says “The flesh is no help at all.” In context, Jesus was talking to His disciples because they could not understand something that he had spoken, and so He told them “It is the Spirit who gives life. Jesus was saying that in our flesh it is impossible to understand the word of God. The pharisees spent their entire lives devoted to trying to understand the word of God, and yet they crucified the very savior they were waiting for and were reading about. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth of God to a person.
Paul says in 1Corinthians 2:7-16, “But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
This passage is basically saying that the only way a person can understand the spiritual truths of scripture is if the Holy Spirit who is actively behind that scripture reveals it to that person’s spirit. So it doesn’t matter if you have a degree in theology like the pharisees, or happen to be the smartest person alive, unless the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to you then you won’t understand. Take Peter for example in Matthew 16:16-17. Peter was a simple fisherman, not trained in scripture like the pharisees had been for years, yet when Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah [Peter]! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
We as Christians stand on the word of God because it has power. It is actively alive because there is an actively alive Spirit of God moving behind the scenes on the hearts of those who hear it. Every time we speak the scripture we can know that it doesn’t return void, because the Holy Spirit is actively working as we speak the word. We’re just scattering seed. It’s not up to us to make it grow, because we have no ability to do so. We can nurture the soil and create a good environment for it to grow (discipleship), but ultimately we just share the word and the let God reveal it to the ones whom He wills to.
So what words in scripture are we to proclaim? Well, ALL scripture is the word of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. ALL SCRIPTURE.
Jesus Christ is the word. They’re one and the same. If you’ve read the scripture, then you’re hearing the words of Jesus Christ. John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Jesus was from the beginning, and Jesus is all throughout scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Every word in scripture is for the purpose of revealing in some measure to the reader about Jesus Christ, and producing faith in you to believe on Him.
Take the book of Job for example. The book of Job in the Bible is more than just a book about a man who God allowed to go through hard times and then be blessed for going through it faithfully. The book of Job is at its very core a type and shadow, or you could call it a portrayal of Jesus Christ.
Scripture says Job was a man with great glory whom God Himself called blameless. God then brought him low by allowing the devil to throw everything he could at Job, to be tempted, surrounded by death and take on sickness, only for the devil to be defeated by Job in the end. God then tells Job to pray for his friends and God would not deal with them according to their foolishness for the sake of Job’s prayer. Then God restores Job to his former glory and gives him sons and daughters whom he gives an inheritance.
Can you think of anyone else in scripture that the story of Job sounds like? Can you think of anyone else who had ALL glory and was blameless before God only to be brought low, and humbled Himself to be tempted and take on all sin and death, and everything that the enemy could throw at Him and still come out victorious in the end, defeating Satan? Someone who then became a mediator, speaking on behalf of those who wronged Him to God the Father? Someone who prays for those who have sinned and were foolish against Him so that God may spare them, and God does spare them thanks to His prayers? Someone who God restored to His former glory, and gave Him a family who now has an inheritance thanks to this His obedience to God the Father? That other someone is JESUS CHRIST!
So in some form or fashion all scripture points to Jesus Christ and reveals to us that we have a savior who was willing to die in our place to save us from our sins, and adopt us as His own. All scripture is also for our own benefit and teaches and equips us to live righteously in a way that is pleasing God, by giving us examples and even mistakes of those who have put their faith in God before us.
So in closing, use all scripture to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done to save sinners!
Don’t feel like it’s your job to give somebody faith, but instead just be faithful yourself to do as God has commanded and share the Gospel, and just let Holy Spirit do His job of revealing the truth to their spirits.
Finally, God’s word is also for our benefit. It gives us hope, and rest, and peace, and life, and is full of promises that God has given us to stand on.
Proverbs 15:30 says, “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and GOOD NEWS refreshes the bones.”
What better news is there than the Gospel, (which means good news)? It refreshes the bones of its hearers. Dead men listen to the word of God and by the Spirit they believe and their dry bones come back to life, refreshed. Whenever we go out to share the Gospel we are always like Ezekiel in the Old Testament standing in front of a valley of dead and dry bones and nothing humanly speaking can be done to bring them back to life, except the message of Jesus Christ, the word of God! THE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE DRY BONES REFRESHED!
If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…
This is Part 20 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t! In Part 15, we saw that superheroes are always ready to fight evil with the belt of Truth. In Part 16, we saw that superheroes are always ready to resist evil by putting on the breastplate of righteousness. In Part 17, we saw that superheroes are always ready to walk with purpose. In Part 18, we saw that superheroes are always ready to deflect the enemy’s attacks by holding up the shield of faith. In Part 19, we saw that by wearing the helmet of salvation, superheroes always protect themselves from evil penetrating their minds with parasitic seeds of thought that contaminate, corrupt, and control.
In this message (Part 20), we will see that by using the Sword of the Spirit, superheroes can not only block the enemy’s attacks, but also drive the enemy away.
Continuing the examination of the whole armor of GOD, we are now instructed to take the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Roman soldiers had different types of swords at their disposal, but the word for “sword” here is taken from the Greek word machaira. This sword was approximately 19 inches long and both sides of the blade were sharp; it was a double-edged sword.
Consider the following comic book characters: Katana (DC), Deadpool, The Swordsman, and Black Knight (Marvel) – they all use swords as their weapon of choice to fight their opponents. Though the sword is not a popular weapon of choice for superheroes, those who choose to use it find the sword to be extremely useful. And like the aforementioned superheroes, ancient Roman soldiers also considered the sword to be extremely useful. Because the sword is capable of cutting through things or even taking life away from people, it is a symbol of power. The mere sight of the sword being drawn out from its sheath could strike fear into a person’s heart. The Roman Empire equipped all soldiers with this symbol of power and fear as a reminder of their dominance and control. And just as apostle Paul used the soldier’s armor to call attention to ways of defending ourselves, Paul also calls attention to the sword as an offensive weapon. Why? Because defense without offense is unsustainable stamina.
Just as bread/manna is actually the Word of GOD (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; John 6:35,41,48,51), Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the sword is also the Word of GOD. The term “word” is taken from the Greek word rhema, which describes something that is spoken clearly; spoken vividly; spoken in undeniable language; or spoken in unmistakable, unquestionable, certain, and definite terms. Thus, this word is a special word of clarity that supernaturally comes into a believer’s mind. Some excellent examples of this can be seen in Matthew 10:19-20, John 14:26, and Acts 4:8-13. But we must understand that the rhema comes out from the logos. In other words, the Holy Spirit uses the written Word (that’s already within us) to extract and highlight a special Word of clarity for a specific time and for a specific purpose. If you don’t consume the written Word, then the Holy Spirit cannot highlight which specific Word to use at a specific time. Logos is prerequisite for rhema.
When Jesus told us that all who live by the sword will die by the sword (Matthew 26:52), Jesus was telling us that if we use violent, forceful, or underhanded methods against other people, we can expect those same methods to be used against us. Violence begets violence. Those who practice violence will come to violent ends. Essentially, the measure and method you use toward others will be the measure and method by which you also will be judged (Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:23-25).
If those who live by the sword also die by the sword, why did Paul call the Word of GOD the Sword? Are we supposed to strike people down like the Crusaders did? Are we supposed to beat people over the head with our Bibles and subdue them into submission until they claim to be Christians? No! Conquest and forced conversion only has the power to change minds, but never hearts. And even the change of mind will most likely be superficial and temporary. If threatened, someone might proclaim to be converted; however, that same person will most likely revert to earlier beliefs once the threat of dying is no longer a possible outcome.
“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) -ESV
As is evident from Revelation 1:16; 2:12, the double-edged sword comes from the mouth of the Lord — it is the spoken Word! The phrase “two-edged” or “double-edged” is taken from the Greek word distomos, which is a compound of the word di, meaning two, and the word stomos, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. Thus, this double-edged sword is a two-mouthed sword. How so? GOD’s Word cuts in two ways. As explained in Hebrews 4:12, GOD’s Word cuts through sin, pride, and disobedience when it enters us humans. However, because GOD’s Word boomerangs and never returns void (Isaiah 55:10-11), the Word moves through us and out of our mouths, which then becomes the other side of the blade. So, GOD’s Word goes out from His ‘mouth,’ cuts into us, and then boomerangs back and out from our mouths, which not only strikes down the enemy, but also supernaturally splices into other humans. However, it is important to understand that GOD’s Word is not a sword that cuts people down; rather, it is the Sword used to cut people free from their enslavement of sin. GOD’s Word cuts through calloused and hardened hearts, exposing lies, revealing Truth, causing conviction, and leads to repentance and alignment with the absolute moral standard of GOD’s will. While striking the enemy down, the Word also sets people free (John 8:32)!
Words Are Powerful:
How powerful are words? Let’s begin by realizing that GOD spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24) – that’s how powerful words can be! When GOD created everything, He did it by starting with a formless void and then shaping it with His Word. Likewise, our lives are a formless void until GOD’s Word comes in to bring life and peace, beauty and order. The opposite is true as well: when GOD’s Word departs from our lives, they descend back into chaos.
But let’s also recognize the fact that words possess power even if they come from finite and fallible human beings. Words possess the power to affect emotions and even alter the direction in which a person will travel. Harmful words are like swords that cut people down (Psalm 55:21; 64:3; Proverbs 12:18). How many negative memories do you still have in your mind of hurtful words? Perhaps they came from strangers, friends, family, or even someone you loved most. I still carry with me a memory from my childhood when someone told me I should have been a girl because I had been crying. I also have a memory from my early adulthood when a relative of mine commented on how much time I ‘wasted’ on playing guitar and writing songs: “That will never amount to anything; dreams don’t pay bills.” But I also have memories of hearing the pretty girl I liked talk about what a perfect male looked like and me realizing I looked nothing like the male she described. I also have memories of hearing people tell me that either I wasn’t good enough or the work I presented wasn’t good enough. The old saying that “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a lie. As the old joke goes, those who don’t think that words hurt has never been hit in the head with a dictionary. Words can hurt; they do hurt. The power of the spoken word is so great that many people have ended up committing suicide due to their inability to block the hurtful words from penetrating their hearts and minds. In fact, at the age of 17, I even wrote out my own suicide letter because I had not been able to handle the heavy load of hurtful words I collected throughout the years.
“The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves.” (Proverbs 12:6) –MSG
“What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” (Proverbs 18:21) –GNT
“I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty.” (Matthew 12:36-37) –GW
How powerful are words? Words penetrate both mind and heart. Words can cut people down, but words can also build people up. So, what words will we speak? If we are all to be judged by our words, then it would be wise to speak life by speaking GOD’s Word. In fact, Paul tells us that GOD’s Word is our Sword and offensive weapon in our spiritual battle against evil. Like a fencing match or real sword fight, GOD’s Word is the Sword that blocks the enemy’s sword from connecting with our hearts and minds and also helps us to drive the enemy away.
Jesus provided the example for us when He spent 40 days in the wilderness to be tempted. The devil knows Scripture. When the devil spit out sword thrusts of destructive words, Jesus responded by using the Sword in a counter attack to not only block the attack, but to also drive the enemy away. Just as Jesus said, “it is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10) as His offensive attack against the enemy, that must also be our response. With the shield of faith in one hand and GOD’s Word as your Sword in your other hand, you can block the enemy’s attacks and launch your own attack to drive the enemy away. Ultimately, GOD’s Word enables us to fight the lies of the great Liar and be more than conquerors in Christ (Matthew 4:10; Romans 8:37; James 4:7).
In the 1999 movie, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, the scene where Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan battle against Darth Maul can provide a visual depiction of what our spiritual battle looks like against evil. Darth Maul kills Qui-Gon and then immediately turns his attention toward Obi-Wan. Imagine Darth Maul as a demon, Qui-Gon as an unprepared human who allowed evil to overtake him, and Obi-Wan as yourself. Obi-Wan screamed in horror at the sight of Qui-Gon falling. Likewise, we should all be screaming in horror at the knowledge that millions of people are succumbing to the devil and his demonic deeds. But we are not exempt (1Corinthians 10:11-13). The demons are going to turn their attention toward us. Obi-Wan was prepared to battle against evil and prevailed over Darth Maul. Are you prepared to effectively battle against the devil and his demons? If the adversary knows how to use the Sword, how much more should you know how to use it? Have you been trained up in the ways of the Lord? Do you know how to handle the Sword?
The Sword Is A Weapon:
Without GOD’s Word, we have no offensive weapon to drive the enemy away. In the 2010 movie, The Book Of Eli, the evil villain, Carnegie, spoke the truth when he reprimanded his henchmen, informing them that capturing the Bible was of utmost importance because, “It’s a weapon!” And because GOD’s Word is the best weapon against evil, Satan has done everything possible in this life to ban it, burn it, discredit it, and disregard it. But of course, we already know that GOD’s Word lasts forever (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35) and Satan knows this as well. And because the enemy knows that GOD’s Word is forever, he often uses the tactic of twisting the text in order to manipulate the masses. There are many buildings proclaiming to be Christian churches, but upon closer investigation, the pastors are devils in disguise. There are many wolves in sheep clothing. We shouldn’t be surprised by this – Jesus and His disciples told us it would be this way (Matthew 7:15; 10:16; Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17-18; 2Corinthians 11:13-15; 1Timothy 4:1-2; 6:3-5; 2Timothy 3:1-9; 4:2-5; 2Peter 2:1-3; 1John 4:1,5-6). GOD’s Word warns us about false teachers in the world. And this is why it is important for us to have the Sword. However, an available weapon won’t be of any use to a person who doesn’t know how to use it. In order to use GOD’s Word, you must know GOD’s Word. Do you know the Word of GOD? Is it in you?
The Word Saves:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
(2Timothy 3:16-17) -ESV
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) -ESV
“Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.’Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation!’Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”
(Acts 2:37-41) -NLT
GOD’s Word is the Sword that cuts people free from the Counterfeiter’s cage of captivity. Those who have been released from the the devil’s dungeon (like myself) find themselves shouting praises of gratitude for the gift of GOD’s grace. Like Paul, I was once blind to the Truth, but now I see! Think about it! How did 3,000 people get saved in one day? Because Peter was so amazing? No. Peter finally allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him and he used the Sword of the Spirit. Thousands of people were saved due to Peter and the apostles slicing through Satan’s snares with the Sword of the Spirit – GOD’s Word! In fact, in Acts 4:4, it is written that 5,000 men had been saved due to the preaching of the Gospel – and that number didn’t even include women or children! Thousands of people can be saved if we would only allow the Holy Spirit to guide us as we share the Gospel with them! Do you know GOD’s Word? Are you sharing the Gospel like Jesus commanded us to do?
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) -NLT
“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
(2Timothy 4:2-5) -NLT
Are you able to defend the faith like the apostles had been able to do (2Corinthians 10:5; 1Peter 3:15)? If you don’t know GOD’s Word, then you are not trained to use the Sword. If you’re not able to use the Sword, the devil and his demons will use the Sword against you. How do you know if someone is preaching the true Word of GOD? What if someone uses GOD’s Word by twisting the text like Satan did? Without GOD’s Word, we cannot know Truth. If we do not know Truth, we will inevitably believe lies. If you have the Bible in your possession, then you have the Sword in your possession. If you do not know GOD’s Word, you do not know how to use the Sword. If, however, you do know GOD’s Word, then you know how to use the Sword. Understand this: Satan has targeted you and is coming after you. Are you prepared to not only block the enemy’s attacks but to also drive him away? If you don’t know how to use the Sword, you better start training before it’s too late. If you do know how to use the Sword, you need to start training others how to use it. It’s time to take up the Sword! It’s time to cut people free from bondage and to release them from the darkness of the devil’s dungeon! How do we do that? We reflect the Light and shine bright!
It is written in Psalm 119:130 that GOD’s Word gives light. Why? Because GOD is able to bring unbelievers out of the darkness and into the light. Jesus is the Light
(2Samuel 22:29; Job 12:22; Psalms 18:28; Isaiah 42:16; John 1:5; 8:12; 12:46; Acts 26:16-18; Ephesians 5:8; 1Peter 2:9-10; 1John 1:5-10). And Jesus commanded us to be the light in the darkness of this world (Matthew 5:14). So, we are the light? But John 9:5 states that Jesus is the Light. So, which is it? Both. The first half of John 9:5 is the key to understanding this. Jesus “passed the torch” to His followers. Jesus is the primary Light; we are the secondary light, a reflection of the Light. We are light-bearers. As the light of the sun is to the moon, so the light of the Son is to us. Jesus shines the Light, the light enters us, casts out darkness, and then we reflect that light to everyone around us.
However, examine Matthew 5:14 in context. Jesus spoke about salt and light. But right before He spoke about salt and light, He gave the Sermon on the Mount and spoke about the “Beatitudes,” which is a list of blessings. In this, there are nine individual promises that come together to form one: we will be blessed if we are in alignment with GOD’s will. Within the entirety of the Beatitudes, there is only one command: rejoice and be glad. It happens to be in the midst of the warnings about persecution. The command is immediately followed by a promise that we will have a great reward in Heaven. This means we need to begin with the end in mind and make decisions based on our eternal destination, not our temporal circumstances (Psalm 30:5). Like Paul, we need to keep our eyes on the prize if we are to obtain the Beatitudes’ promise of being blessed (1Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:14).
Jesus then goes on to say that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We already discussed the light, but what about the salt? Salt is a necessity of life and has been used as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, and even used on icy conditions. Think: Are we preserving all the good qualities of life? Are we enhancing the ‘flavor’ of life? Are we a disinfectant, helping to eliminate the ‘germs’ of false doctrines? Are we being used for icy conditions? Are we thawing ice-cold hearts with our love? Are we helping people gain traction on slippery slopes? Our salty ‘flavor’ should cause people to salivate for salvation. Are we shining the Light and sharing the Gospel or are we hiding under a basket, thereby making it a casket? Hiding the Light under a basket is remaining silent when we should be speaking the Word. Superheroes don’t hide under baskets! Couch potato Christians are consumers in comfort-coffins.
Comfort Is The Coffin Of Christianity:
When Jesus told us not to hide our light under a basket (Matthew 5:14-16), He meant that we should not go into hiding and remain sheltered. In fact, Jesus commanded us to go out into the world, sharing the Gospel (Matthew 28:28-20). Do not be content with the knowledge of your own salvation!
“None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.” (1Corinthians 10:24) –GNT
“Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts,and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh.”
(Jude 1:22-23) -TPT
If you are content with your own comfort and decide to build protective walls around yourself and refuse to leave that safety-box, it is more than likely that you will shelter yourself into non-existence. How can superheroes save anyone if they are hiding in a box? Evil wants you to build walls of comfort around yourself and for you to stay in your safety-box – the longer you stay inside your sheltered life, the more that shelter becomes your coffin. And if you stay inside your sheltered life, how could you have relationships with others and lead people to Christ? If you cut yourself off from the rest of the world, you cut yourself off from GOD’s plan for your life. If you cut yourself off from GOD’s will, you will be the substance without its source and you will slowly wither and die. Don’t shelter yourself; however, don’t live as the rest of this world lives. Rise above with love and speak out and reach out while inviting others in.
The safety-box of a sheltered life is a comfort-coffin. People try to justify their sheltered lives in many different ways, but here is the truth: those who are content with their own salvations and live sheltered lives don’t obey GOD’s laws nor live by His decrees. GOD has called us to love others – it’s not possible to reach out (with love) to those in the darkness if we are hiding in our safety-box (hiding our light).
Everyone’s coffin is different, yet they are all the same: the coffin is crafted to contour to your comfort. What does your coffin look like? It’s important to know what your coffin looks like – knowing what it looks like will help you stay out of it! A coffin can look like the car that someone loves to work on and invest in, it can look like the sports team someone spends all his/her time studying, it could look like the beer can someone can’t let go of long enough to use his/her hands for a better purpose, or it could even look like someone’s television set or his/her own apartment/house. Understand this: a coffin can even look like protection against evil. Although the coffin appears to be protection that keeps evil away from you, is the opposite – you need to realize that it is a trap, designed to keep you out of the world. Evil doesn’t want Christians out in the world. A comfort-coffin can even look like a church building.
I urge you – do not seek shelter! I urge you to step outside of your sheltered life; I urge you to get out of your comfort-coffin. Batman does not stay in the Batcave! If he did, he would never save anyone. Too many men are hiding in their man-caves. Do your hobbies consume all of your free time leaving you unable to help others? Examine your decisions and the motives behind your decisions. With the time you do have, do you use it to advance the Kingdom of GOD? Are you willing to leave your comfort-coffin in order to save others? Are you willing to go places you might not want to go and help people regardless of your opinion of them? Do your video games, beer pong, sports, etc. stand in the way of leading people to Christ? We are called to love others and to lead people to Christ. Let us go out and do exactly that! How? By knowing GOD’s Word and sharing the Good News! But how can you do that if you don’t know GOD’s Word? Is it in you?
The Word Is The Link To Your Sword:
Because rhema (a special word of clarity from the Holy Spirit) only comes from logos (the written Word of GOD), we must first know the Word of GOD in order to receive the Sword. Some people sit idly by in the darkness of their comfort-coffins, hoping to receive a Sword from GOD. But we will only receive the Sword by living in the light and reading our Bibles.
Consider the classic 1986 video game, Legend of Zelda. The main character, Link, can find and collect helpful items that enable him to live a victorious life. In the game, you are able to uncover hidden areas and discover game-changing items such as a map, compass, food, potion, shield, candle, bomb, key, boomerang, or even an upgraded sword.
To be a superhero in the name of the Savior, we must go on a quest much like Link does in the Legend of Zelda. Think about it. The only way Link will ever find and attain any game-changing items and reach the end of the game is by advancing forward, examining everything, and using his gifts while battling evil. To Link, game-changing items help him to be victorious and reach the end; likewise, superheroes end up as conquerors for Christ due to the life-changing Word. Link has a map and compass to help him find his way; likewise, we have GOD’s Word and moral compass to guide us in life. Link is sustained by food he finds; GOD’s Word is our food. Link has potion to give him life; GOD’s Word comes from the Lord, the Lord is Life and gives life. Link has a shield to protect him from evil’s attacks; we have the whole armor of GOD. Link has a candle to give him light to use in the darkness; the Lord is the Light and we are the light of the world. Link has a bomb he can use to blast his way through walls; we destroy strongholds with Truth-bombs. Link has a key to unlock new areas; by reading the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us understand ‘secret passages’ and this will unlock new areas of life for us. Link has a boomerang that returns to him; we have GOD’s Word, which also acts as a boomerang because it never returns void. Link can get an upgraded sword; we receive a Sword as an upgrade after knowing the Word. According to zeldauniverse.net, Link can attain an upgraded Magical Sword by following these steps:
“Requirement: Min. 12 Heart Containers
From the starting screen, head right one screen, up five screens, left two screens, down one screen, left one screen up one screen, left two screens, down one screen, left two screens, and up one screen to find yourself in part of the graveyard.
Push the middle grave in the third column from the left to reveal a stairwell leading to the sword.”
Likewise, in order for superheroes (Christians) to receive a rhema (Sword), we must be willing to take the required action of the necessary steps. What are these necessary steps? Just as there was a minimum requirement of 12 heart containers for Link to receive the Magical Sword, there is a minimum requirement for us to receive the Sword: we must read the Bible. Just as there are directions to follow in order for Link to receive the Magical Sword, there are directions we must follow to receive the Sword: read the Bible, study the Bible, meditate on what is written, and trust the Holy Spirit to present you with the Sword at the right time. Link received the Magical Sword only after the secret passage was revealed. Likewise, the special Sword we receive from the Holy Spirit is like a secret passage being revealed. But if we have not read GOD’s Word, then the Holy Spirit cannot help us bring it to mind at the right time for a specific purpose. Link had to put forth effort in order to attain game-changing items. Likewise, we must also put forth effort in order for the life-changing Sword. All we need to do is know the Word. Have you consumed the Word? By consuming the Word you can receive the Sword. Is it in you?
If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below:
“GOD spoke to Moses and Aaron: ‘How long is this going to go on, all this grumbling against me by this evil-infested community? I’ve had my fill of complaints from these grumbling Israelites’ ” (Numbers 14:26-27) -MSG
In other translations of the Bible, GOD called the grumbling Israelites “sinful” or “wicked,” but in The Message translation, they were called “evil-infested.” I believe that is a good paraphrase for a sinful or wicked people. But why did GOD call the Israelites evil-infested? Well, GOD had performed many miracles and signs of wonders in order to free them from Pharaoh’s captivity in Egypt. GOD freed them from slavery and yet they complained about being free! GOD eventually brought the Israelites to a land of which evil people inhabited. GOD simply told the Israelites to take over the land. Moses sent 12 people to spy out the land and to see what it looked like. When the 12 people returned, they all agreed that it was indeed the good land GOD had said it was and that it flowed with milk and honey; however, 10 out of the 12 who investigated the land lamented and said that the mission was impossible because the people there were big and frightening. An astonishing 83% of the scouting crew said that GOD’s request couldn’t be done! Only Joshua and Caleb were solution seekers and said that it could be done. And then the Israelites wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb to death because of their optimism and faith. (What?!) So, let’s dig deeper and define what the community looked like to GOD and why they appeared to be evil-infested.
Infested: To inhabit or overrun in numbers or quantities large enough to be harmful, threatening, or obnoxious.
A definition of infested says, “large enough to be harmful, threatening.” Wait – threatening? Why would the community be of a threat to GOD? They weren’t – the community of people were a threat to themselves! They chose to allow evil to corrupt their lives. Their decisions. Their choices. Their free will. And their choices were infecting others throughout the community. Negativity spreads like wildfire; fear and doubt spreads like a plague. And when GOD asked Moses and Aaron, “How long is this going to go on,” GOD wasn’t actually expecting an estimated time of the approximate expiration date of their evil ways. GOD basically said, “Moses. Aaron. The people in your community increase in wickedness as time goes on; the evil grows greater every day.” And when GOD said, “I’ve had my fill of complaints,” He basically said, “I can no longer accept anymore of their evil and ungratefulness and lack of faith. Due to their rebellion and lack of repentance, they have brought judgment upon themselves.”
“Not one of you will enter the land and make your home there, the firmly and solemnly promised land, except for Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” (Numbers 14:30) -MSG
The only people GOD said He would allow to enter into the promised land were the two solution seekers. That’s how important it is to be a solution seeker.
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.’ ” (Numbers 15:37-40) -ESV
People often concern themselves with things that simply don’t matter. They worry, have anxiety, and stress. For those people, they need to have constant reminders as to what truly matters. Some people don’t live the right way; some people refuse to abide by GOD’s absolute moral standard. Those people need constant reminders as to how to live the right way.GOD was to the Israelites like a parent is to a child who constantly reminds the child, “No. Don’t do that. Don’t touch that. Don’t put that in your mouth! I know that’s what you want, but it’s not what you need. Stop it! Keep your hands to yourself! Put that back! If you don’t listen to me, you’re going to get in trouble!”
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) -NIRV
First and foremost, GOD’s Word is supposed to keep us in alignment with GOD’s will. If you’re not reading GOD’s Word, how would you know GOD’s will? It is of utmost importance that we read GOD’s Word. But apart from GOD’s Word, people are supposed to be our constant reminders; we are supposed to help each other out. Refer back to Numbers 15:37-40. The community was never meant to rely on a blue cord to remind them of how to live – they were supposed to set their hearts on GOD’s will and then continually remind each other so that they wouldn’t become the evil-infested community that they became.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) -NLT
How is one able to trust the Lord with all of his/her heart unless the Lord is already within that person’s heart? The grumbling Israelites – who witnessed many miracles! – simply did not have GOD within their hearts; otherwise, their faith would have cast out the doubt and their love would have expelled the fear that had stowed away within them. Perhaps they had GOD in their hearts when the Red Sea was parted and then closed up again on the Egyptians who had been pursuing them. But by this point in their journey, GOD was out of their hearts and fear and doubt was dwelling within them instead.
Unlike qualified U.S. Army infantrymen who receive a blue cord as an honor of completing their advanced individual training, GOD basically demoted the Israelites and put blue cords in charge instead of them. For the Israelites, receiving the blue cord was not an honor – it was a dishonorable discharge. That’s how lukewarm and mediocre the community’s faith had become. Ponder on that for a moment. How sad is that? Can you imagine getting fired from your job and your boss telling you that he was hiring a blue cord as your replacement? But that’s what happens when you become lukewarm because GOD detests lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:16). What I’m about to say obviously isn’t in the Bible, but imagine if the following conversation between GOD and the Israelites had existed:
GOD: “Grumbling Israelite, you’re fired! Blue cord, you’re hired!”
Israelite: “Wait! What?! The blue cord is taking my place? But it can’t even think! It doesn’t talk! It doesn’t do anything! How can a blue cord be my replacement?!”
GOD: “Truly, I tell you – that blue cord has more faith than you! The only thing that blue cord proclaims is my Holiness! That blue cord will proclaim that I am Holy, I am righteous, and I am faithful. Because every time you look at that blue cord, your very own mind will be reminded of how great and loving I am.”
In this present time in which we live, we have created our own versions of the ‘blue cord’ and they have become religious mediocre reminders of who a true Christian is supposed to be. We’ve created bumper stickers for our cars, book markers with scripture verses on them, bracelets, rings, picture frames, cross necklaces, and even t-shirts. These are all modern-day versions of the ‘blue cord’ – mediocre reminders as to how we should live. Now, I’m not saying that any of those items are bad. I am merely saying that we need to be the ‘Blue Cord Clan,’ not inanimate and inarticulate items! Items work as a reminder only for a short time and then they become camouflaged with the rest of the world because people become accustomed to seeing them. It’s called desensitization. It’s like the wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man that became popular in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s that is now completely ineffective in 2019. In fact, the shape of that item even resembles the cross; conversely, to many atheists, an image of Jesus on the cross might as well be the inflatable tube man. It’s sad, but true. Once people are so used to seeing these items on a daily basis, people tend to forget the meaning behind the items and they no longer serve as an effective reminder. We – the people – need to be personal reminders for other people.
I want to give you an example of a ‘blue cord.’ Back when I was a property manager of an apartment community, my regional manager told me that I had to put out balloons at the front of the property every single day in order to attract prospective residents. The balloons worked, but only at first. After a certain amount of time had passed, the balloons just became a part of the landscape and no one seemed to notice anymore. Why not? Because the balloons were always there and they never changed. They weren’t personal, engaging, or otherwise inviting. They simply existed. In addition, many of the other apartment communities in that city did the exact same thing. People became accustomed to them being there and no longer paid them any attention. In the same regard, our ‘blue cord’ items such as cross necklaces have lost the ability to gain attention and effectively remind people of GOD’s love. In fact, I have seen sinners wear the cross necklace simply because it was made of gold or filled with diamonds.Many people use these ‘blue cord’ items to enhance their sense of fashion, but the message of the Gospel has been lost in the sinful society who has accepted superficial icons yet rejected repentance and real relationship.
Celebrities, Honorees, and Guests arrive to the 2016 Black Girls Rock on April 1, 2016 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA Featuring: Rihanna Where: New York, New York, United States When: 01 Apr 2016 Credit: WENN.com
1679294 The always fashionable Rihanna sports a huge statement necklace laden with silver crosses while dining at Cafe Med at Sunset Plaza in Los Angeles, California today. The pop superstar made sure to strike the perfect pose to give photographers a clear shot of her jewelry! CR: ODuran/Fame Pictures FameFlynet, Inc – Beverly Hills, CA, USA – +1 (818) 307-4813
Rihanna, for example, though depicted wearing a cross in these images, is a self-proclaimed “good girl gone bad” and she promotes promiscuity proudly. In the pseudo-feminism ideology of today, behaving in such a degrading way is viewed as liberating; however, sexual sin is not GOD’s will (1Corinthians 6:15-20). To be fair, I acknowledge that only Rihanna knows if she has truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior; however, by her actions she is not an accurate reflection of Christ. Like it or not, Rihanna is a role model for all girls everywhere who have access to magazines, television, or the internet because Rihanna is a current celebrity. The truth is that the oversexualization of her songs and performances will cause girls to believe that girls should flaunt their bodies, use their bodies to get what they want, and that casual sexual intercourse is ‘normal’ and acceptable. But the truth is that sex matters. The truth is that sex is for marriage and marriage needs to be defended. The truth is that the oversexualization of our society produces the pervasive plague known as pornography and also contributes to the abhorrent act of abortion. The truth is that representatives of Christ are never to cause someone else to stumble into sin (Romans 14; 1Corinthians 8). And if you don’t believe me that we have a problem of oversexualization, then perform a Google image search for “oversexualization” and examine the multiple pages that showcase our problem.
Is this the same woman depicted wearing the cross (above)? Sadly, yes.
If Rihanna claims to be a Christian, then I’m going to call her out: she is not in alignment with GOD’s will and she is not an accurate reflection/representative of Christ and needs to repent. If, on the other hand, Rihanna denies being a Christian, she has only affirmed through her actions what I previously stated in regards to unbelievers accepting superficial icons yet rejecting repentance and real relationship.
“My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13) -NIRV
Who are you? Are you a personal reminder to people about how to live for GOD? When people see you and the decisions you make, are they reminded that Christians are awesome and loving people? Or are you a ‘blue cord’ to be ignored? After all, the ‘blue cord’ is limited in its ability to call attention to GOD’s greatness. The ‘blue cord’ was only meant to be a reminder so that the people would wake up and start a revival. So, who are you? Are you someone who walks around with a cross necklace, hoping your fashion sense will remind people of how we should live, yet you pass by a homeless person without offering a meal? Are you someone who needs a personal reminder to remind you how to live the right way? If you’re a Christian, then act like it! You need to be an example to others, be a constant reminder, help them stay on track, and keep focused. We are to discern GOD’s will and not conform to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2).
Unlike a ‘blue cord,’ we are versatile and innovative and are not limited to our ability to be a reminder or reflection of Jesus. I don’t want to be a ‘blue cord’ that has lost all meaning to the world. Think about it! If you were to see an actual blue cord hanging from a shirt in this present time in which we live, would you be reminded of GOD? Probably not. You might be reminded of GOD now that I’ve told you this message, but I’m fairly certain that most of you wouldn’t think of GOD when seeing an actual blue cord. Not unless you’re super spiritual and are giving thanks to GOD for the materials that have been made available to us so that the blue cord you see could be there at the moment you see that cord. However, let’s be honest: how often do we give thanks to GOD while we’re out and about living the daily routines of our lives? (Your answer should be, “Not enough.”)
The ‘blue cord’ has lost its meaning to this world; it only serves as a reminder to those who know that it is supposed to actually be a reminder. If an audience were to be seated in an auditorium and a blue cord was dangling in front of a microphone, what would an audience get out of that? It is more than likely that the audience would not be reminded of GOD’s love, they would not understand the significance, and they would leave. A blue cord by itself says nothing. The meaning behind that blue cord has been lost in time. And how much more time is needed before the meaning of our fish symbol <>< gets lost in time? Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. But it’s just the same to unbelievers. The ‘blue cords’ have no power to change hearts of the unbelievers. I should know – I was once one of them! So, how did I get saved? By personal relationship. (See my other article, “Why I Am A Christian” for my testimony and defense of the Christian faith.)
The ‘blue cord’ items that we have created as Christians do not possess the power of reminding people of GOD’s love in the same capacity that we humans possess. We can speak and be heard. We can actually listen to people and help address their concerns. We are able to alter our approach in order to effectively convey the message to the listener. A ‘blue cord’ is limited in what it can do. We need to be the personal representatives of the Truth of GOD’s love.
I want to be a personal reminder, just as Joshua and Caleb were personal reminders to their community. And every single time someone sees me, I want them to think of Jesus and what they should be doing and how they should be living. If people see us and think of Christ, yet think horrible of Christ due to our horrible actions, we have failed to accurately reflect Christ. It is extremely important that we live out a life of love so that we will accurately reflect Christ. If people see us and think of Christ, and think good thoughts about Christ due to our good deeds, we can help those who are lost and lead them to Jesus.
The idea of this ‘Blue Cord Clan’ is so that people are reminded of GOD’s love, mercy, and grace every time they look at you! The only reason why the blue cord works as a reminder is because it stands out from the rest of the attire. I challenge you to stand out, speak out, reach out, and invite others in. Be the reflection and the reminder of Christ’s love. And if you do happen to wear the modern-day ‘blue cord’ items such as shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc., you need to make sure that you’re not giving GOD a bad name! Don’t give love a bad name. If you’re representing GOD, do so the right way! Our symbols mean nothing to unbelievers. What matters is the way we live. If we do wrong while representing GOD’s name, the unbelievers will be quick to blame and proclaim that GOD does not have a good name thereby putting us to shame. We need to be the accurate reflection of Christ’s love in all that we do. Don’t allow a ‘blue cord’ to take your job! So, right now, I challenge you to find the nearest ‘blue cord’ item and to tell it, “You’re not taking my job!” And just for clarification, Jesus told us what we’re supposed to be doing:
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ ”
(Matthew 28:18-20) -NLT
We have a duty we are called to do. Not our bumper stickers; not our t-shirts. You. Me. Us. As Christians, we need to accept our call of duty and “go and make disciples.”
If you would prefer to read this message, I have provided the words below:
Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why am I doing this?!” It’s important to know why we’re doing what we’re doing. What is your ‘why’? Why do you do what you do? Every hero and superhero has a reason as to why they do what they do.
“We knew our enemies’ intent was to intimidate us into stopping our work. They reasoned, “These Jews will stop rebuilding out of fear and discouragement. Progress will grind to a halt.” Instead I renewed my dedication, strengthened my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9) -Voice
Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and his enemies were trying to stop him from completing his work. However, Nehemiah pressed on and finished his goal. Why?
What is your ultimate goal in life? What is your purpose? If you don’t have one, you need one. Without a purpose, a person will walk about aimlessly and that person might as well be a zombie. If you are currently striving to achieve your ultimate goal in life, you are currently fulfilling what you believe to be your purpose.
With every goal, there are three essential parts you need to know:
You need to know what you’re doing.
You need to know how you’re doing it.
You need to know why you’re doing it.
Many people know what they are doing and even how they are doing what they are doing, but they don’t fully comprehend why they do what they do. Do you know why you do what you do? You need to know the ‘why’ if you are to stay your way. If you know why you’re doing what you’re doing, you won’t be easily persuaded not to do it because you’ll know why it is important to keep doing it.
If you are striving to achieve a goal, you will ultimately be battling against opposition in order to achieve your goal. You will not simply achieve your goal by declaring that you desire to achieve your goal. Can a person win a race without putting forth the effort to achieve the goal? Can a person build a wall without putting forth the effort to achieve the goal?
In the Bible, Nehemiah decided to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. What did he do? He was rebuilding the walls. How was he doing it? He was using materials and resources in order to rebuild the walls. But why was he rebuilding the walls? Nehemiah decided to rebuild the walls because they had been destroyed for about 70 years. He decided to rebuild the walls because the walls represented power and protection to the city of Jerusalem. The walls were needed in order to protect the city from attack and to ensure the continuity of worship. Nehemiah had left a responsible position in the Persian government in order to fulfill his calling. He did what he did because he knew why he needed to do it. Furthermore, people tried to prevent the work from being completed by insulting him, ridiculing him, threatening him, and even sabotaging his work. However, Nehemiah persisted and prevailed. Why? Because he knew why he was doing what he was doing!
Who or what are you battling against and why are you in that battle? What oppositions are you facing and why?
“Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8); (Jeremiah 18:6) -NLT
We are the clay. Ponder on that for a moment. Clay must go through a lot in order to become the full potential of pottery. In the process of formation, clay might feel like it is being drowned due to all the water that is used to shape it. On the spinning wheel where it is being shaped, the clay probably feels dizzy or disoriented and unsure of its direction and purpose. It may feel like a lump of purposeless clay just going ‘round and ‘round. Clay also shrinks in both the drying and the firing processes. It is important for clay to dry slowly so that the sculpted piece can dry evenly so as to avoid cracking or being warped. The clay only becomes hardened and increases strength after intense heat for a certain amount of time. If you were the clay, you might believe that all the formation, time spent alone while drying, and the intense heat were punishments or that it was all abuse. However, with a mere change in perspective, it is easy to see that it was all necessary in order for the clay to become the strong, sculpted, beautiful and useful piece of pottery. The entire process was done out of love in order to make the clay into something better than it had been originally.
“For you, the righteous God, look deep within the hearts of men and examine all their motives and their thoughts.” (Psalm 7:9) -TLB
“You get us ready for life: you probe for our soft spots, you knock off our rough edges.” (Psalm 7:9) -MSG
Why would GOD probe for our soft spots? Because the soft spots are our weaknesses. GOD wants us to be aware of our weaknesses so that we can work on those areas and strengthen them.
When you want to grow muscle (grow being the word of focus), you must first tear the muscle you desire to grow, and then it will grow back thicker and stronger. Each time you tear your muscles, they grow back stronger than they were before. The same goes for our spiritual muscles — the more hardships we endure and overcome, the stronger we become in our walk with GOD.
GOD examines our hearts and our minds. The Message states, “You get us ready for life.”
Life here on Earth is merely training for the real life that is ahead of us on the New Earth under the new heavens. Training in the army is tough, right? But do the soldiers complain and cry to the drill sergeant, “Why?! Take it easy on me!”?
No! The soldiers are tough, they endure, and they don’t ask why they go through training. Why don’t they ask why? Because they already know why — they understand what it is they are fighting for! The soldiers do what they do to ensure a better life for all of us; the soldiers fight for freedom. Should a solider commit to a battle without first knowing why the battle must be won? Why would anyone fight in a war if he/she doesn’t know why he/she is fighting in that war?
When we comprehend why we do what we do, we obtain the confidence necessary to continue on even through the most difficult of times. We [Christians] need to be tough and endure in life and understand what/who it is we are fighting for. We are fighting for souls to be saved! We are fighting for the freedom of others! We do what we do in hopes of leading the lost back Home. We make the sacrifices that we make in hopes of creating joy. Why do we do what we do? We do what we do in order to make life better and to give hope to the hopeless. We are to encourage those without dreams to dream again. We are to combat sadness with joy. We are to help the lost to find their way and get saved. We are to expose the lies and reveal Truth.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) -NKJV
“You were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13) -NIRV
Soldiers fight to ensure freedom. We are soldiers of the heavenly Kingdom! True freedom is having the ability and opportunity to use our free will for ourselves, yet we choose to use our free will in order to help others. That freedom is liberating! The pain we go through in our ‘boot camp training’ is well worth it in the end. No pain? No gain! It is uncomfortable to get our soft spots probed, but we will grow stronger by addressing and overcoming our weaknesses. It hurts to get our rough edges scraped away, but it shapes us and forms us into better people.
The Message says, “you knock off our rough edges.” When we get too bold, too arrogant, GOD takes us down to where we need to be. GOD desires to make us well-rounded people. However, that’s only possible if we allow GOD to work within our lives.
Are you soft or getting soft? Is there any pain you are holding back? Are there any fears that you are refusing to face? Are you holding onto something or someone that is dragging you down? Are you resisting GOD probing your soft spots? Are you struggling to keep those rough edges so that you won’t feel weak? Are you complaining during your time of drying? Are you complaining about your process through the fire? Do you want to grow? Do you want to avoid being cracked and/or warped? Do you want to be stronger? Do you want to be well-rounded?
If you want to grow, I challenge you to welcome the probing of your soft spots. I challenge you to welcome GOD to scrape away your rough edges, to sand you down smoothly. I challenge you to welcome the fire (tests and trials) that will harden and strengthen you. Understand this: GOD loves you the way you are, but GOD loves you too much to let you remain as you are. GOD desires to bring out the amazing potential within you and see you at your best. In order to reach your full potential, you need to grow. In order to be your best, you must endure all the tests. To be able to endure life’s tests and trials, you need to know why you do what you do.
I once read a news article about a man who ran into a burning building in order to save a little girl who was trapped inside. Prior to the man running inside, he heard a bystander shout to him that he should not enter the building because he could lose his own life. It didn’t matter. No — it didn’t matter because the man knew why he had to do what he was doing. The power of his ‘why’ conquered all doubt and fear and enabled him to do what he would not have done otherwise. The man’s ‘why’ was the life of a little girl and the potential of her future. It no longer mattered to the man how he was going to accomplish his task — the man knew what he had to do and why. (Here is a similar news story.)
Your ‘why’ will launch you into your ‘what’ even if you don’t know ‘how’ to accomplish the ‘what.’ That is the power of the ‘why.’ Once you know why you’re doing what you’re doing, nothing will be able to prevent you from doing what you need to do. Do you know your ‘why’? What is your ultimate goal in life? Why? What is your battle? Why must your battle be won?
My ultimate goal in life is to lead as many people as I can to the Lord. Why? Because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the Light (John 8:12; 14:6). I want everyone to experience life in the light of Truth because that’s where true joy is found. Many people have wondered why I set aside my own desires in order to keep helping people and sharing Jesus with them. I have set aside my pursuit for happiness because I love people and desire to see them pursue purpose. I don’t always know how I’m going to do this; in fact, I frequently launch into my ‘what’ without knowing the ‘how’ simply because I am propelled by my ‘why.’
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I invite you to accept Him into your life right now. If you want to know my story – why I became a Christian, see my other article, “My Testimony: from Agnosticism, to Atheism, to Christianity“.
Don’t confuse the pursuit of happiness as being your purpose. You were created for a purpose. So, why do you do what you do? May you seek the Lord and discover your ‘why’.
Here’s why I do what I do:
Ministry Stats (January 2017 — February 2019) 2,397 unique visitors = about 3 people per day 3,415 views = 1,018 extra views from initial contact
58 countries:
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
Ireland
Finland
Germany
Netherlands
India
France
Nigeria
South Africa
Egypt
Singapore
Spain
Trinidad & Tobago
Philippines
Turkey
Sweden
Belgium
Jamaica
Tanzania
New Zealand
Kuwait
United Arab Emirates
Greece
Israel
Japan
Poland
Ghana
Argentina
Malaysia
Indonesia
Denmark
Italy
Hong Kong SAR China
Qatar
Brazil
Vietnam
Switzerland
Bangladesh
Guam
Romania
Taiwan
Mexico
Pakistan
Dominican Republic
South Korea
Thailand
Puerto Rico
Swaziland
Panama
Liberia
Barbados
Norway
Uzbekistan
Uganda
Slovenia
It absolutely blows my mind to know that I have been able to touch every area colored on the map (58 countries)! Who am I?! I’m just one person. But that’s the point! Every person matters! Even if I only reach one person per day, I could potentially lead thousands of people into the Kingdom! Even one person per day is worth it! May you remember that the next time you encounter a person who is difficult to deal with. GOD loves that person. And who knows who that person can become in Christ and how many people that person will be able to affect. I’m sowing seeds. I may not ever get to see the fruit in this lifetime, but I look forward to the Day when the Lord shows me the fruit I never knew existed. Think: The colored areas on the map is only the areas I know about – there might be more! What if one of those people accepted Jesus and ended up planting a church in one of those areas? Everything we do matters and every single person matters. They are my ‘why.’ You are my ‘why.’
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9) -NLT
Quest For Truth 