I can’t help but think about how the church today is trying to fight spiritual battles with play swords. This is sad, as a pretend sword has no power to demolish strong holds. From a distance they look real but upon closer inspection they are fake and ineffective. At Medieval Times they have swords you can buy after the show. They look amazing but would shatter when used against a real sword. Many people have been deceived because they think the sword they are using is real. They are trying to fight spiritual battles with play swords. They think man made ideas will stand against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) In order to fight that battle we need the real sword, the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:4 “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” 2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” As we take this land we do not want to get into battle only to realize our sword is pretend nor do we not want to find ourselves in a battle without the ability to handle the sword. If you have to run home and get it off the wall or shelf, it will be too late. You must have it with you at all times. As we read through Ezra and Nehemiah, you see there was great opposition to rebuilding as there is in our day, as satan does not want this to happen.  Nehemiah 4 tells us, “Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each laboured on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built.” They had been told, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, our God will fight for us.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.”

If your bible sits in one place and collects dust, you will be defeated. Strap on the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God and be victorious. The battle is the Lord’s.