Without The Bible

Armor is for defense. Several times I have heard it emphasized that the Bible, the Word of God is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Too often we believers use the wrong offensive weapons. We use our own words to the exclusion of the Word of God. Kind of like using a pea shooter when a cannon is needed.

Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Luke 8:11b: . . . The seed is the word of God.

James 1:21: Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Peter 2:2: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Psalms 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Bible is the sword of the Spirit, it is powerful, it is the seed, it can be grafted into men, it causes salvation, it causes faith, it causes spiritual growth and gives guidance. Our words are and do none of the above. Our words are, at best, only powerless paraphrases of the Bible. Our words might help others understand the word of God, but only if the word of God has been included in our communications. Our words are powerless. When I remember these truths about the Bible and about my words, I am deeply troubled by all the occasions when I had an opportunity to include the Bible in a conversation but foolishly didn*t. If we have failed to include God*s Word in our communications, we have failed.

2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Without the Bible, we might be safe ourselves but we will have little impact on others. The other parts of the armor of God will protect us so we can give out the Bible, which is to be our function. Protecting us is the function of the armor. Without the Bible we won*t be properly loving others. Just about the most loving thing we can do for them is to give them the Word of God. Before I was saved I felt like preachers of the Bible were individuals that I could not trust. I have learned that they are the individuals I should trust the most. I felt like they were separated from the realities of life. Now I know that they are the only ones truly connected to the realities (truths) of life.

Care to discuss Without The Bible with Ron?

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