Your Super Survival Sword

Who doesn’t want the best weapon in battle? (Hebrews 4:12) In a spiritual battle, it’s essential to stay alert and prepared if we want to fight well, even as we know that Jesus is already victorious.

If the word of God is our weapon to stand firm against evil, we should know it well. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when reading the Bible:

1. Understand the context of the passage such as audience, culture, and author’s intent.
2. Read it the way it was written (eg. historical, symbolic, poetic).
3. Check other parts of the Bible for supporting texts before assuming an interpretation.
4. Double check other translations to avoid misunderstandings.

Otherworldly Ways

As we do not fight flesh and blood, our methods are also different from the world (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). God instructs us to put on his full armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) which includes the following: 

• Truth
• Righteousness
• Readiness (from the Gospel of Peace)
• Faith
• Salvation
• The Word of God
• Prayer

Don’t feel bad if you are unsure how to put on God’s armor. Simply ask God for help and also, reach out to more mature Christians for advice as everyone has started out from a beginner’s level before.

If you have any questions or doubts about the validity of the Bible, ask your pastor for guidance, and do some research about how professionals translate and verify the words. The book ‘The Case For Christ’ is a great place to start if you’re looking for evidence.

Battle of the Mind

This seems to be the most difficult type of challenge. Knowing that you can be influenced by your environment, be careful of the content you consume and the people you spend time with. Though, of course, we cannot avoid everything in the world. If we choose to continually renew our minds, we will be mentally more prepared to live a godly life. (Romans 12:2)

Dressing Your Wounds

I’ve gotten plenty of scrapes and cuts throughout my life (admittedly, through my natural talent of clumsiness). When I get injured, I clean and protect the wound from infection. Just as we tend to physical injuries, we need to be mindful of our spiritual well-being to quickly address any issues before things spiral into a worse state. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Common issues might include an inclination to be selfish or lazy. It might be a reluctance to confront someone about an issue in the relationship. (Matthew 5:23-24) Either way, living a holy life is not easy, but you’re not alone! God is our strength and support. He also calls us to fellowship with other believers for our spiritual health and growth. (James 5:16)

Conclusion

Wielding the word of God as our ultimate weapon, we can navigate the spiritual battlefield with vigilance and preparedness. Understanding scripture’s context, equipping yourself with God’s armor, and seeking guidance from fellow believers fortify us against evil forces that rob us of joy and hurt our relationships. We must also guard our minds against negative influences, renewing our thoughts and promptly addressing spiritual wounds. Despite the challenges, we can confidently press forward in the victory secured through Jesus Christ.