Distance for Warfare: Growing Closer to GodSample

WEAPONS OF WARFARE When I was a kid, I loved to watch Spider-Man. Spider-Man is an American-made superhero that a plethora of Marvel comic books and movies were based on. Spider-Man used many gadgets that were his weapons against villains that tried to harm civilians. Just as imaginary superheroes like Spider-Man had weapons, we, as children of God, have spiritual weapons against the tactics of the devil that aim to steal, kill, and destroy. One weapon that we have against spiritual attacks is the Word of God. The Word of God is transforming when we are “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22 KJV). The Bible isn’t just words written by followers of God over one thousand years, but it’s a book of instructions that helps us adopt a lifestyle pleasing to God. It would be impossible for us to live for God without a guide telling us what to do and what not to do. Another weapon that we have against spiritual attacks is prayer. There’s a unique power that praying righteous people possess due to their commitment to communicating with God at dedicated times. God always hears our prayers, and the prayers of the righteous availeth much; that’s why we must pray without ceasing. In today’s scripture passage, 2 Corinthians 10, Paul is in prison, responding to the Corinthian's false accusations through writing. The Corinthians accuse Paul of communicating boldly through his letters but in person lacking the impressiveness to share his wisdom. Paul didn’t allow the Corinthians' false accusations to cause him to forsake his spiritual principles. While the Corinthians fought with human schemes, Paul fought with the word of the Spirit. Paul’s heart was set on encouraging people to accept the love of God, so he didn’t misalign himself just to make himself look good. Despite the spiritual attacks we face, God has equipped us with everything we need to combat lies with God’s truth and be allowed to lay our burdens on Jesus in prayer. CALL TO ACTION: Today, whenever you feel burdened down by criticism from others, or you feel your flesh desiring to give in to evil schemes, use your weapons of warfare to win the battle!