The Sword and the Scalpel

"The Word of God is a double-edged sword; one side cuts the devil, the other side cuts you" ~Jesse Duplantis.

That line simplifies the depth of our next point in learning about the Bible's role in the Christian life: the sword and scalpel. The Word is used as our weapon in warfare against the devil, yet it often turns on us to perform the necessary "heart surgery" of the Christian life - often when least expected. I'm a guy, so I'm going to start with the fighting part.

Ephesians 6:12 says, "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." In other words, we do not fight against people, we fight against the devil in people (which often feels like one-and-the-same to us...). James 4:7b says, 'resist the devil and he will flee from you." We resist by using the Word of God - "the sword of the spirit" (Eph 6:17); that is our weapon. Sheer will power will not always cut it for us. There will be times when we get so worn down by the pressures of life that our will can no longer stand on its own. If you do not have a firm foundation in the God's Word you will start to crumble. But, if you understand what the Word has to say about every situation, you will render the devil powerless to defeat you. Again, ask yourself, "what does the Word have to say about that?" Then, ask the devil. One thing we must understand is that Satan knows the Bible better than we do, and the first thing he is going to do is try and take you away from it. If he cannot do that, he will attempt to twist it in your mind and make it become unfruitful religion. If we know what the Word says, that is when we have the full power to resist the devil when he comes along trying to implant he lies into our thinking. When he comes along with fears regarding a financial situation, we can fight back with "my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19). When sickness begins to creep into your body, you can respond with "by His stripes I am healed" (1Pet 2:24). When lies that God has for some reason given up on you begin to creep into your thinking, you respond, "God's gifts and calling are irrevocable" (Rom 11:29) and "God has a plan for a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11). The list continues. However, if you do not have a firm grasp on these Biblical truths, then the devil can simply pound your brains in with all sorts of garbage, and you will believe it. Your hope will dwindle and your faith will stagnate. The Word contains your victory; it is your weapon of warfare.

However, when go the the Word for our training in righteousness, so that we may be well-equipped against the demonic assignments against us, sometimes the sword we are using turns on us and becomes our spiritual scalpel. However, unlike with the devil, the Word of God is not meant to "cut you down to size." God is not out to tear you apart in the same way He is with Satan. We know God disciplines and we know that it sometimes hurts, but some religious folks are really hung-up on suffering and pain as fundamental element to our daily Christian life. Knock that off. Now look at Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This verse is packed with revelation about God's Word. Though we are talking about the sword, notice quickly: God's Word is living. I could have easily used this passage when discussing why the Bible is "The Word of God," but I wanted to use it today instead. When we meditate on the Word, it comes to life. It is a primary means of communication between God and His people. So, stay in the Word until it starts talking back to you. Sometimes, however, we do not like what it will have to say to us. We do not want to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt 5). We read "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Ps 101:3, NKJV), and then we see our TV shows, movies and all those trashy magazines lying about and realize what God requires of us. Or we come across Ephesians 5:4, "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but let there be thanksgiving" (ESV), and we remember all the trashy jokes we were throwing around the night before. Its not always fun, but it is necessary to remove anything that hinders us from living the abundant life God has always had in mind for each one of us. Remember, God is not cutting you up; He is freeing you from any and all hindrances from Him and the good life.

God wants us to live victoriously in every aspect of our lives (regardless of what religion may say). He wants us to be free, walking in love and prosperity, and blessing everyone we come in contact with. The devil is out to destroy all of that, and he will use any means necessary to do it. If he cannot beat you, he will subtly slow you down and cause you to put up your own roadblocks between you and God. Maybe the reason you are not seeing much victory in your life is not because of the devil, but because of you. That is why time in God's Word is so vital. It reveals to each of us who needs to "go under the knife," the enemy or ourselves...