Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
The word of God is a powerful weapon. With it we can resist the all of the evils of the devil. But just as a weapon can be used with great skill, a weapon can also be used in an improper or unskilled way and actually be used to harm the user or others.
For an example, a skilled bowman will know that they need to be certain that there are no bystanders in the path of the arrow. But a foolish person who doesn’t think before they shoot may shoot an arrow straight up into the air and watch as it disappears into the sky, oblivious to the fact that arrows will eventually come back down to the Earth, and there is the potential possibility that someone could be killed because of their foolishness.
That is why it is very, very important that you know what you are talking about when you teach others from God’s word. You do not want to be the cause of leading someone else or even yourself astray from the true meaning of the word of God because you don’t understand it.
Used properly, the Word of the Lord can save a soul from death, converting a sinner from the error of their ways.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
One thing you need to remember is that not everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is. They might be able to accurately quote large portions of the Bible by heart, but that doesn’t mean that they are truly a Christian in spirit. Remember how the devil, in his failed attempts to try to get Jesus to fall to temptation, quoted the scriptures? The devil knew what was written, but he obviously didn’t believe in it. He instead only used it to try to cause Christ to sin.
To be certain that we fully understand the Word of God, we need to continue to study it, meditating on it’s meaning. Like a craftsman perfecting his chosen profession, we need to carefully study the Bible, because it truly is our sword against the devil.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Just like a physical sword, the Bible is a piece of the armor and weaponry that we “go to battle” with in the instruction and defense of our faith
Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Keep the Word of God close to you, and study it well, so that it may save both you and those who hear it.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 