Vol.12 No.2

Swordsmanship
Making the Best Use of Your Bible
By Gillian Bethel

The Bible describes itself as a weapon, “the sword of the Spirit.” Ephesians 6:17. For self-protection, cutting through difficulties, piercing through confusion, and disarming enemies. Then why do so many people (churchgoers, too) leave this powerful weapon gathering dust?

MEETING JESUS IN HIS WORD

In 1975, I found myself in very serious circumstances. I was an atheist, guest teaching on a little Caribbean island. A misunderstanding between the White expatriate teachers and the local Black teachers and parents developed into a stressful situation involving racial tension and anger. The stress was so bad that one White teacher attempted suicide.

I had recently started reading the Bible, not because I believed in God, but out of curiosity and boredom. Surprisingly, many beautiful passages spoke to me in a personal and meaningful way. I needed some encouragement, so I wrote two of them on a card and stuck it on my mirror:

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

I wasn’t sure what these verses meant, but they spoke of a comfort I longed for. I read them daily through that conflict and noticed that the situation wasn’t stressing me as much. In fact, I experienced an unexplainable peace and comfort. There was something special about this Book, so I began reading it with greater interest.

A few months later I discovered the Power behind the Book—Jesus, a real Person whom I could know. Since then, I have had similar experiences with Bible verses “coming alive,” and the Bible has become an indispensable part of my life.

For many, the Bible is an out-of-date book about people who died long ago, written in a difficult, old-fashioned language. The print is small and close together. There are no pictures. We see no reason to put effort into it.

But ask yourself, Is my life going well? Am I overcoming trials and difficulties?

POWERFUL WORDS

I had another unforgettable experience involving the Bible’s power. One morning, about 2:00 am, our neighbors rang my housemate and me. Their two-year-old daughter was screaming, as if in a nightmare, and they could not stop it. When we arrived, their little girl was wild-eyed and scared about some unseen thing. We prayed, but there was no change. Then the idea that we should sing Scripture songs popped into my mind. We sang verses from the Bible until gradually she quieted down and began singing too. We left them all smiling, feeling awed at the power we saw work through such a simple means as Scripture songs. Once again, the Scriptures won the battle for me in a stressful situation.

I know people who gave up addictions and overcame depression through the Bible’s power. But is it some kind of magic book? No! Its power lies in a completely different Source.

Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63. His Words give life. Where are they found? In the Bible. It’s not just a dusty old book; it has the Words of Jesus in it; the ones He spoke, the ones He inspired people to write. And they are powerful enough to give life.

I used to think Jesus was just another storybook character, or at best a historical character who died 2,000 years ago. But the Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…All things were made by Him…In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1, 3, 4.

When Jesus died, that wasn’t the end. He came back to life at the Resurrection, spent time with His disciples, and then returned to heaven.

That was staggering for me. Not only is Jesus alive, but I can know Him. Through prayer, I can talk to this powerful Being, and through His Word—the Holy Bible—He will communicate with me and make things happen in my life.

How do I know that He’s still involved in peoples’ lives? Well, the Bible tells me that in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17. He didn’t just create the Universe and let it run like a wound-up clock. He’s still sustaining it! “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” Acts 17:28. More than that, I know He’s still re-creating lives because He’s still changing me. I’m not the person I used to be.

Jesus is not a dead historical character. He’s the living, powerful Creator, and the Bible is His Word! That makes it a lot more personal, interesting, and exciting, doesn’t it?

PRECIOUS WORDS

Two more factors make His Words precious. One is that Jesus doesn’t change. Hebrews 13:8. If He promised life more abundantly to His friends 2,000 years ago, the offer is still open to His followers today.

The other factor is that for some incomprehensible reason, Jesus is intimately interested in me. He cares about me more than anyone who has ever loved me, and He is committed to me. He will stand by me, no matter what. “…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. As I experience Him doing this for me, I love Him more. The Bible says: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:35, 37.

There is a lot of difference between reading a letter from your bank manager and reading a letter from someone you love very much. This understanding gives me new motivation for personal Bible study.

Another strong motivation is that Jesus is the great Teacher of truth. He will teach us the truth as we read the Bible—if we really want to know it.

Are you getting motivated to pick up your sword and fight some battles? First, we’ll need lessons in swordsmanship. Remember, the Bible contains the Words of Jesus.

So we are learning how to fight with Him, under His direction and in His power. How is it done? Three ways: Read Jesus’ Words, think about and believe Jesus’ Words, then act on Jesus’ Words.

READING JESUS’ WORDS

As you read the Bible you will discover some soul-stirring things. Sometimes you see them immediately. Other times you must read a passage repeatedly, comparing it with other Scriptures, before it becomes significant. This takes time.

Once I studied Romans, Chapter 6. Although I read it day after day for weeks, I still felt I was not grasping it. Then one day—like a light switched on—I saw its meaning in a new way, and now it is one of my favorite chapters.

Jesus will help us understand if we persevere. Sometimes though, it may be better to move to a different part of the Bible, if we feel like setting it aside. Sooner or later as we read, a passage speaks to us very personally. We may underline and memorize it, so we can think of it often.

We should read every day, preferably first thing in the morning. Before opening the Bible, pray for Jesus to personally speak to you from its pages and to enlighten your understanding. Reading the Bible and talking to Jesus will put us in contact with Him so that he can guide us, and help fight our battles.

THINKING ABOUT JESUS’ WORDS

Whether we have an abundant life or miserable life depends on our thoughts. Understand this, because our feelings and behavior grow out of our thoughts.

If I dwell upon how unkind a person has been to me, I will feel upset, angry, or sorry for myself, and my actions will reflect this. But if I reject those thoughts, praying “Jesus help me not to think this way,” and let a Bible verse into my mind, such as “I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” all those feelings subside. Matthew 5:44. Then I am able to act kindly toward that person. This is how

I can use the Bible to fight the daily battle with my thoughts.

ACTING ON JESUS’ WORDS

If we act kindly toward people, it also helps to change our thoughts and feelings. It is not hypocritical to be good to someone although we don’t feel kindly toward them. We can choose to act on Jesus’ Words by faith, not because we feel like it!

Corrie Ten Boom, in The Hiding Place, recounts how, after World War II, she spoke at a church on forgiveness. Unexpectedly, a guard who had been at the same concentration camp as Corrie and her sister, approached her, asking forgiveness.

She struggled within, but as he held out his hand she prayed earnestly, “Jesus, help me! I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feelings.” As she shook his hand, her bitter feelings changed to forgiving love. Jesus had answered her prayer.            

The key? She acted on Jesus’ words, “Forgive those who trespass against you.” She did what she could (lifted her hand), and He did the rest. If we cooperate with Jesus, making an effort to follow His directions for living in the Bible, He will give us extraordinary power to achieve things we could never have done by ourselves, including a change of heart. But He waits for us to ask for help, to believe and exercise faith, then He helps us. This is how we can use the Bible to cut through difficult circumstances.

Forget the self-help books, rehashing your troubles with counselors and friends, and trying to escape your problems through eating, drinking, drugs, TV, or any other means. The Bible is just what you need to live an abundant life.

Let’s go directly to the Source of strength and get to know the One behind the Book. He invites, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

* Gillian Bethel, a free-lance copyeditor and homeschooling mom, lives with her husband and daughter in Kentucky.