‘I stand on God’s Word.’ Great! Consider moving it from under your feet. Opening it on your lap. And filling your mind with its truth, in preparation for the battle that exists every day.
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 NIV
Whenever I am meeting with guys, I invariably will say at some point something to the effect of “discount Satan and his patience and abilities at your own risk and the risk of your family.
I have said to our kids that words are only arrogant if they cannot be backed up with action. A little simplistic but used trying to teach them the value of practice, of learning, of preparing before the event. I have become so amazed at Satan’s arrogant confidence that when face to face with God’s son in the wilderness, he tried to tempt him through reasoning by quoting scripture to the son of the Author. Arrogance? Confidence? I’ll let you make that call. Matthew 4:1-11
I recently was meeting with someone and was discussing how Satan never comes through the front door of our lives, but through the vulnerabilities of our lives. In battle, good leaders always shore up the battle lines where weakest. They know their vulnerabilities and take action to make these areas stronger. Similarly, Satan knows and attacks us where we are weakest. Without knowing, understanding, accepting and integrating scripture into all areas of our lives, we are vulnerable to false teaching, the incessant lies, and the attacks of the enemy that are only thwarted through preparation.
2 Timothy 2:15-17 tells us to “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer…” (NLT)
I encourage you to integrate the concept of continuing education into your life…every day. I believe that fitness is a gift that we give to ourselves. Absolutely and without question, Biblical learning is the fitness of our mind that translates into the peace and understanding that builds our relationship with Jesus, his Father and the Holy Spirit. Paul expressed his frustration with the church at Corinth when he wrote, “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,”. (I Corinthians 3:2 NLT). Gift yourself the relationship that grows with Christ as we learn and live His Word.
I often write and always believe that you and I are built for greater purpose than we can comprehend. I also believe that we must be feeding our mind through scripture to 1) guard against the lies of the enemy, also known as this World; 2) to disciple and encourage others that God places in our path through understanding and truth that is scripture, also known as God’s Word; and 3) to seek, find and live the marvelous plans that God has created us for, to be revealed through the reading of God’s Word and the growing of our mind.
Arguably the greatest Christian to walk the earth was the Apostle Paul, who before his conversion was one of the most scripturally knowledgeable people to walk the earth. He was a Pharisee, educated in scripture from a very young age. He knew what the words said. Knowledgeable in the law. Lacking, then receiving the truth of God’s love through Jesus’ death and resurrection on that road to Damascus.
Gift yourself time daily with the Father through Bible reading and prayer. If you have invited him into your heart, now let him flood your mind with truth.
You’ve got this.