The Sword and the Heart of God

Just about every newborn Christian is introduced to the following Scriptures to emphasize how important the Bible is and that it must be read everyday and memorized:

“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. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13, 17 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.” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)

But (a very important ‘but’), it is a deadly weapon that must be mastered on how to use it with skill, timing, and discernment. Notice the word ‘profitable’ in the following directions:

“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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

I was trained as a Marine. The weapons we were given were given with great responsibility. They were only to be unleashed to destroy the enemy and to protect our fellow soldiers and those know as friendlies.

IN USING THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, we must be careful to make sure no one becomes a victim of friendly fire. In order to do that WE MUST KNOW THE FATHER’S HEART. The following three verses emphasize that:

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38 NKJV)

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” (John 14:10 NKJV)

“I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31 NLT)

Remember that Satan knows the Word of God inside and out. The difference is that Satan is dead set against the Father’s Heart. We must never lose sight of what our mission is as Christians. The following incident makes it quite clear:

Jesus sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. (Luke 9:52-56 NKJV)

So, where does that leave us? We must know the Word of God inside and out. BUT, we must also have the Father’s Heart to be able to achieve the Father’s Purpose!