Ephesians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. One of the most powerful verses is Ephesians 6:12:
“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.”
Our fight is not with humanity. Yet I see more and more each day (because, social media of course) videos, posts, blogs, ect. of Christians using the Bible as a weapon to prove a point and to attack another human being. That is not the intended target.
We are both physical and spiritual beings. I had been saved for years before I was taught this and it is difficult to grasp at first. It’s hard to quote scripture and not attack the individual vs the action. But we have to be very careful when using the Bible as the sword of the spirit. With all of the movements and “wokeness” happening in this day there are powers and principalities at work that are looking at any opportunity to call Christians out on intolerance, hate speech (yes, some are calling the Bible hate speech), homophobia, racism, and a laundry list of other labels to discredit the faith and water down the truth.
Let me simplify the mission for us all…
It is not our job to change the lives or lifestyles of others. That belongs to Jesus. He’s good at it if He is allowed to operate freely.
When we weaponize the word of God against our fellow man (or woman) we are using the Bible to inflict harm. Do you think that is going to change someone’s heart to turn and run toward Jesus? The very love we spoke of now a sharp blade to cut them down?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: “16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
But so many take the “correction” part as disciplinary and an opportunity to disciple. Correction meaning an individual has misinterpreted the instruction given to them by God and we correct their path. Non-believers are not in need of correction but in need of salvation!
But we as a church missed this somewhere. Now when our faith is attacked we lash out, sword in hand, quoting fire and brimstone when we should peacefully listen to understand (not listen to respond), acknowledge the other persons views (acknowledge does not mean you have to accept or agree, especially if it is not Biblical. You can understand without agreeing), and respond with a personal story or biblical wisdom (let the Holy Spirit guide you and you can’t go wrong.)
We are sowers. We sow seed, we let the living water of Christ water and nurture. We continue to be there for them even if they reject the message.
Fight the sin and darkness in their lives, not the person. They won’t respond in kind, that’s why we have to be ready to do what they refuse to.