Take the Sword
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17 NKJV.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12 NKJV.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:11 NKJV.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV.
Tony Aarts who lives in North Fort Myers, Florida was having a fun day playing golf at the Magnolia Landing Golf and Country Club when he nearly lost his life. Tony was near the fourth hole when he heard a splash from a water hazard which was only a few feet away. Tony says, “As I was walking about 5 to 6 feet away from the water I heard a splash, and as soon as I heard that splash I knew it was an alligator, and he got me.”
The alligator had latched onto Tony’s right ankle, and began to pull him back into the water. Tony ended up on his back as the gator was pulling him down and he says, “I remember having a club in my hand, and as soon as he had me in the water up to my waist, I started hitting him over the head.” The gator kept on pulling Tony into the water, and he knew he would soon be completely under as the water was already up to his chest. He then says, “He was looking at me with his big eyes, and I kept hitting him. I started hitting him in the eye socket. I hit him three times and he let go of my foot, so I crawled back out and by that time the guys were there.” Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission captured the gator.
Tony says, “It’s a good thing I had that putter. It’s a good, solid, heavy putter. I guess a golfer should always keep a club in his hand.” (Wink News 02.09.17)
We may never have a life and death struggle with an alligator; at least I hope we don’t! What a shock that must have been to be having a fun day enjoying some golf and suddenly find that you are fighting for your life! Tony Aarts refused to give up, and kept on fighting even when it looked hopeless as he says, “And I’m thinking I’m getting deeper and deeper, and I thought you’re not gonna get me.” Whether it’s a beast like an alligator, or a terminal disease, life does have countless challenges that can come upon us unexpectedly.
The apostle Peter warns us of a spiritual beast that is always there lurking in the background seeking another victim. That old devil “walks about” looking to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10a)” the life of every child of God. That beast of evil wants to tear away every good thing in your life, and replace it with death.
The apostle Paul tells us of how God delivered him from the beast, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:17c-18).” As God delivered Paul from the beast, He is able to deliver you and me. No, we will not be able to defeat this spiritual beast with a good golf putter, but we have been given all the spiritual weapons needed to win the battles.
Let us begin each day by taking up the “sword of the spirit” which is far better than any golf putter. The “word of God” is powerful beyond our imaginations and will accomplish God’s purpose. By the “word of God” the worlds were spoken into existence (Genesis 1). So, when the beast of this world suddenly grabs hold of you, take hold of the “sword of the spirit” and stab the beast. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7b).”