Monday, October 17, 2016

Pastor's Ponderings, October 17, 2016

Need A Good Weapon? God Has The Best

The following is a quote from the 2005 movie, Lord of War, loosely based on a real life international arms dealer. “There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11?”  There has been a great deal of attention to recent incidents of the use of force by police, discussions about the right to purchase, carry, and the usefulness of background checks on firearm purchase.  In addition to these considerations, the deadly use of firearms by our citizens has shot the subject of guns into the forefront of our concerns.

While some choose to have guns and others do not, the real war is not with weapons made by man, but our spiritual weapons. The Bible says that we Christians do not war after the flesh.  Our weapons are divinely strong to tear down demonic strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  We can use the name of Jesus to get rid of demons (Mark 16:17), and successfully fight against all spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12).  We can know that no weapon that is formed against us shall be able to accomplish its purpose without the Lord’s permission (Isaiah 54:17)

While others may put on bulletproof vests, we can put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11, 13). When others refer to natural weapons to support their positions, let us remember that we have much more powerful weapons.  We can use our weapons against a much more powerful foe, the devil. This can be a teachable moment to share the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us all and then tell of His goodness and His deeds.  Let us strap on His divine weapons and defeat the devil and his demons, the real enemy of mankind. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
New International Version (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Mark 16:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Ephesians 6:11-13
New International Version (NIV)
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Isaiah 54:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.




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