The Word is a weapon

Intro: You ever hear the saying knowledge is power? The more you know about a particular subject the more confident you are in that area the more knowledge you have the more doors that will open for you. Ex. If you are knowledgeable about let’s say computers, when a problem occurs and you are asked to fix it or talk about a certain subject you have confident and assurance, if a job opens up in the IT department of a major company the more knowledge you have about computers the more likely you are to get the job. So how do we obtain such knowledge about life, about relationships, about our health, about being a parent, a husband or wife, Knowledge to fight off Satan’s attacks? By studying His Word! Satan is a liar but how do we know he is lying unless we know the truth? You should know the truth and the truth shall set you free. What is the truth? The Word of God! Using the bible as a weapon Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. The word of God is not just a collection of words; it is a living and life changing. God’s word reveals who we are and what we are not. It reveals both good and evil within us. We must not just listen to the word; we must allow it to shape our lives. Central truth: When the enemy cuts us we need to bleed scripture. Points: 1. We must have an understanding of what the Word is. It is not a human book. Even though it was written by humans it is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It’s our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God desires to show you through His word what is true and equip you to live for Him. Question? How much time to you spend in God’s Word? Read it regularly to discover Gods truth and to become confident in your life and faith. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2. Use his Word to reveal the enemies traps. Doesn’t your house look a lot cleaner when the lights are off? But As soon as you turn them on all the dust and dirt is revealed. The enemy loves to keep us in the dark. Ever get up in the night and try to walk through the house with the lights off, you trip and bump into everything. Why because the darkness hides the sin and Satan traps, if we aren’t wise and turn on a light we will trip and fall and acquire some bruises, scrapes and cuts. Psalm 119:105 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. When walking through the woods at night we need a light so we don’t trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk. Study His Word so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path. 3. Let the Word do fight your battles. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.]” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the enemies attack. Not only are we to know the word we are to obey the word. James 1:22 says But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. You see Satan knows the scriptures also but the difference is he doesn’t obey them. Illustration: What is the Bible? "THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good is its design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given you in life and will be opened in the judgment and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents." Application: apply the Word to your life, take it all in and allow it to flow through your veins. Central truth: When the enemy cuts us we need to bleed scripture. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes Joshua 1:8 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.