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2 Timothy 3:10-17
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus (v.15).
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Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
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What do you enjoy the most about studying the Bible? When it comes to using God’s Word, in what areas do you feel intimidated or inadequate? What will it take to increase your confidence?
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Various vacations have taught me that jet skis and boulders don’t go together. Neither do 3-wheelers and thin ice.
My motorized mishaps began when, as a kid, my family spent the afternoon visiting friends. Willing to accommodate my need for speed, their son let me use his go-cart. He showed me the gas pedal but assumed I would find the brake. So when my friend and I realized we were headed for the highway at full throttle, we jumped off to avoid crashing into any cars. Ouch! It’s so important to be properly trained in how to use expensive recreation vehicles!
Much more important than just a means of entertainment, the Word of God is both a weapon and a tool. Just as a soldier is trained to use his weapons in battle and a builder learns how to use his tools, believers in Jesus must be trained in how to handle the Word.
In recounting the temptation of Jesus, Matthew demonstrates how even Satan used Scripture (4:1-11). Manipulative, the enemy was interested in his own selfish purposes and not in truth. Because God is serious about His Word, we need to understand:
• Keeping our hearts pure before the Lord enables us to receive instruction from the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8).
• Wielding the sword includes accepting our inability to know everything, while being willing to learn (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
• Learning how to handle the Word develops us as people who are unashamed and ready to share it (2 Timothy 2:15, 4:2-4).
Scripture tells us that in the end days, deception will grow stronger (Mark 13:22). God wants us to be master swordsmen, trained and ready to communicate His truth. Let’s do what it takes to learn.
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Wow! This is powerful teaching. I try to live by example everyday for my son and my students. And, try to be armored-up everyday because I deal with some “spirits” at work. Lately though, I find myself losing patience with people and situations that don’t necessarily see things the way I see things. This devotion is a reminder that I have to step back, breathe and pray! Thank you.
Dear riri,
You have nailed it! How easily we get drawn into battles with flesh and blood. I have spent way too much time over the past few months trying to “reason” with different situations I’ve faced. As you have so aptly stated, true wisdom rests in “step[ping] back” because it is in that place of detachment that we engage in the battle from the spirit realm rather from the natural (where our emotions became so entwined it’s hard to see which way is up). Praying that the Lord will lead you today and that you will see His hand of deliverance as you place the battle in His hands by resting on the truth of the Word.
Thanks for the reminder that the Word of God is both a tool and weapon. This tells me I need to approach the Word prayerfully, interpret and use the Word carefully, and read and apply the Word regularly. In the midst of all that’s been going on in my life lately, this is more important than ever before and must become a higher priority.
Hi, can i ask a question?As i was reading the scriptures that shown above I ‘m not understand about this verse:
1 Timothy 5:23 Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often
What it means by the wine and the water here?sorry, because maybe i read it too far…
hello, good question. Most commentators feel that Paul was recommending that Timothy drink a little wine to help him with his troubled tummy! So it was a form of medicine. Two things to keep in mind, the wine of Jesus’ day was rather weak and often diluted with water. Also, safe drinking water was not always readily available.
Dear tom felten:
Do you mean the wine here is some sort of medicine at that time?and also the water at that time was not always safe for drinking?
Is christians allow to drink alcohol in the world now?
Yes, Paul’s instruction for Timothy to drink “a little wine” was based in its medicinal value. Regarding Christians and the use of alcohol, check out this insightful article: http://www.rbc.org/questionsDetail.aspx?id=45970&Topic=660
Awesome message! I’ve come to fully recognize that God’s Word is a “weapon and tool.” After 25 yrs of marriage and a husband who decides that “I’m too holy, boring, and intimidating” for him, he decides to leave. But guess what? The Lord reminded me to trust HIM and HIM Alone! The tool of the Word reminds me of the “Holy Spirit/Jesus” who lead, guide, and direct all decisions, attitudes, mannerisms, etc. I found that by confessing the Word, “All things are possible, if I only believe.” Using my tool of understanding God’s Will led the way for my overcoming my situation. When I refer back to your expression, “Weapon” I was reminded of the saying, “The battle is not mine, but the Lord’s alone. I’ve been blessed beyond measures since I decided to trust God in everything. So to all of you reading today’s word, know that the Word of God is truly a “Weapon and Tool” of warfare for His children. Be blessed and thank you all for the words of encouragement provided daily to God’s children.
Chuckling to myself as I write this. When I read it and some of the comments, I remember Yoda’s line in Star Wars, “Do or do not… there is no try….”.
Over 30 years later, as a Christian, I get that. I spent so long trying to be a good Christian that I often got in God’s way where the force of His Spirit would just Do in me that which was already being worked out in me if I just let it.
For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (Eph 2:8-9 AMP)
So, I have to remember to give up, give in and let Him do what He wants to do with and in me.
For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death. (Psa 48:14 NKJV)
Be blessed~!