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The Sword from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

We often get emails and comments about how timely a particular devotional is for them. Sometimes, they feel as if it was written especially for them. One man told me that the Word was so relevant for a week that it was like I had a microphone in his house and could hear what was going on there. How does that happen?

(Hebrews 4:12–13 NKJV)  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

It has little to do with me and a lot to do with the Word of God. The Bible is a living book that exposes, decontaminates, and purges evil from us. Then it breathes life into those empty spaces. As you learn and obey the Word of God, you will become more and more like Jesus Christ, for He is the Word. That is incredible, but there is even more. The Apostle Paul lists the Spirit Armor of God, which those who continue with the Lord will acquire in their journey:

(Ephesians 6:13–18 NKJV)  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

He mentions the fiery darts of the wicked one, which you can block with the shield of faith. That takes some effort, some strength, and the enemy can just fire off another dart. In fact, all the armor pieces listed here are defensive items given to protect you from the enemy. But if you want to hurt him, you will have to use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. It is an offensive weapon. You can stand there and block his attacks all day, or you can take out your sword and put his butt on the run.

Find a relevant scripture and memorize it. Then quote it back to the enemy as often as needed. Literally, speak the Words of God out of your mouth. It will cut the enemy to the bone and through his armor like a laser. Here are a couple of examples I love:

(Psalm 23:4 NKJV)  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

When Jesus had fasted forty days in the wilderness, the devil came to test Him. Look at how Jesus responded to the fiery darts of the enemy:

(Matthew 4:3–4 NKJV)  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

(Matthew 4:5–7 NKJV)  Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "

(Matthew 4:8–11 NKJV)  Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Jesus used His sword. He spoke the Word of God three times, and the devil left Him alone. When you obey and speak the Word of God, good things will happen, and the devil will begin to leave you alone as well. Yes, your actions should align with your words, or they mean nothing. The enemy can tell the difference between an absolute NO and a maybe. God spoke the universe into existence, and His Word will accomplish what He desires:

(Isaiah 55:10–11 NASB)  "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

The Lord can expose every little secret in your life to you through a message without even telling the preacher what they are. Often, the Word is for them, and they are just sharing it with you without a clue that it fits you as well. It's called conviction. When you hear the anointed Word of God, and there is something you need to correct, the Holy Spirit will convict you. It means something needs to change. Remember when the Pharisees dragged a woman they caught in adultery before Jesus and wanted Him to stone her:

(John 8:7–9 NKJV)  So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

The words of Jesus cut them to the heart. This also happened with Peter and Stephen:

(Acts 2:37 NKJV)  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

(Acts 7:54 NKJV)  When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

A pastor I used to travel with would say that if you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one you hit will howl the loudest. It's certainly like that with the Word of God. Sometimes I will bring a message, and someone will become furious with me. That "cut to the heart" feeling is the Holy Spirit, so don't attack the messenger. Take it up with Him. If you know what He told you to do, but you don't like it, well, you're in a bit of a dilemma.

Who do you think is going to win that battle of wills anyway? Do you believe He will make an exception and tell you that His Word doesn't apply to you? The Lord can't use a wild horse that isn't broken. Stop fighting Him. Instead, be thankful when you are convicted of something and submit quickly. Believe me, I have tried it both ways. Conviction means there is hope for you yet, and He is still speaking to your heart. You are indeed one of His children:

(Proverbs 3:11–12 NKJV)  My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

There is another group the Apostle Paul speaks of who the Lord gave over to a depraved mind after they rejected the truth. They no longer feel conviction at all. His Word runs off them like water off a duck's back:

(Romans 1:28–29 NASB)  And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;

(2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 NKJV)  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Welcome His correction. Be teachable. Surrender to Him whatever He asks. He will replace it with better.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins and guide me from this day forward. I submit to You and surrender. Teach me what I need to know. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

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