The following line is from the movie, “We Were Soldiers” and it states when the U. S. forces are surrounded by the enemy on all sides even a news reporter is given a rifle to defend himself. Then Sgt. Major Basil Plumley, played by Sam Elliot in the movie famously says, “Gentlemen, prepare to defend yourselves.” From what I have researched this really did happen during the battle in Ia Drang Valley in 1965.
Another reality is that followers of Jesus must defend themselves during this day and age of political correctness and the loss of cherished rights that maybe we took for granted. We are instructed by Peter the apostle in 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” It is eternally important that followers of Jesus know the Bible that they profess to believe. This begins by simply reading the Bible.
The writer of Psalm 1 informs us that one who desires happiness finds “delight in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.” And who does not desire happiness and fulfillment? A man or woman that desires to know God must begin with the Word of God. And that means time spent getting to know the word of God so that you may present what you believe in a manner that is understandable.
When you are questioned you might not know what questions will be directed at you but if you have spent much time in the Bible you are more readily prepared than one who has not read. Jesus warned His disciples that they would be persecuted, but then He said something very interesting in Luke 10:19-20: “But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.” One way to reduce your fear of defending the Bible before people or governments is to spend time reading and studying the Bible. Then when you are questioned the Holy Spirit could very well possibly use what you have read and studied or something He would use to promote Jesus to the people/person questioning you. Collegians who pray before final exams that they will pass even though they haven’t studied do not do as well as those who study and then pray for recall when they take the final exam.
We can trust the Bible because Psalm 12:6 encourages us: “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.” The Bible as we have it in its current form can be trusted to be from God and perfect at all times. This also should be an encouragement to our soul as followers of Jesus.
As we are assaulted here in the U. S. on all sides from political correctness to the rise of Islam and strong attempts to implement Sharia law here in our nation; we must draw strength and courage from God’s perfect word. We cannot afford to be ignorant of what is going on around us nor about God’s word to His people.
His word in both the Old Testament and New Testament speak of Jesus. Jesus Himself told those listening in John 5:39; “You pore over the Scriptures (at this time only speaking of Old Testament) because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me.” The New Testament is replete with Jesus on about every page. Followers of Jesus have a great treasure in the Bible and also a great responsibility to know it, live it and share it.
In the sixth chapter of the book of Ephesians in the New Testament we are told that a follower of Jesus is to put on all their armor so that we can be defending against the “flaming arrows of the evil one.” The last piece of equipment we must pick and use is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” This is the only offensive weapon we use and it is very good if we know how to use it. And the only way to learn how to use it is to read and study it often as the warrior must learn how to use a sword or shoot a gun. It must be done often.
A member of the armed forces does not only use a weapon one time but must learn how to use it over time and as often as possible. It is not always glamorous and it may be boring at times but to know how to use your weapon is a serious life and/or death issue. Then as you use it you come to know it and then the desire to know it more and more and to expand your current knowledge grows at a great rate. So you can become fluent in knowing the word of God as a member of the armed forces knows their weapon.
Prepare to defend yourselves immediately and in the future. We do not know how things will exactly work out in this world nor in our nation but with the current state of affairs it is important if not urgent to know the most powerful spiritual weapon in our arsenal and that is the word of God. Challenge yourself to know the Bible that you have not relying solely on another person but on your own. Go ahead and ask questions about the Bible because God loves to answer those who seriously inquire about Him and His word.
“How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? (How Firm a Foundation, attributed to John Keith, 1787). Yes flee to Jesus, the Living Word, the Author and Finisher of our faith and take that blessed spiritual sword and use it wisely in this day and age to defend yourselves.
Thanks to our Guest Contributor:
Pastor Ray Peters
Harvest Alliance Church
