Proper Defense

Matt 4:4 “Jesus answered, ‘It is written:’” Jesus responds to each of the temptations using Scripture, it is written.  Our primary defense against the attacks of the enemy is the Word of God.  In Ephesians chapter 6 Paul talks about the “armor of God”.  He lists various elements of this armor which includes “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.”  A sword is both a defensive and offensive weapon.  It takes practice to correctly wield it.  2 Ti 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  Jesus not only defends himself against attack by using the word of God but he attacks back.  Jesus correctly handled the word of truth.  We cannot correctly handle the word of truth unless we spend time learning how.  We cannot expect to use the word of God to stand against the attacks of the enemy unless we are reading our Bible and praying.  Take time this Lent to read your Bible and make it a regular part of your spiritual discipline.

Am I regularly spending time with God’s word and hiding it in my heart?

Could I use the Scriptures to defend myself against the wiles of the devil?

What about to teach someone about God or to lead someone to a personal relationship with God?

If not, why not?

Lord, help me to make the study of your word a regular part of my life.  I want to do as the psalmist says and hide your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Thank you for the tremendous gift of your word.  Forgive me for taking it for granted. Amen.