TWO - EDGED REASON!
Sunday’s Monday
I was in a recent meeting of BOB Group when God gave me a vision of a two-edged sword during a man’s testimony, The man was speaking of an incident where he felt God telling him to apologize to a person and ask for their forgiveness. He felt this was the only way to clear his conscience and free up his spirit, but the spirits of fear and timidity was holding him back. He worried and dreaded this until God said do it now, so he confronted the other person only to realize what and why these spirits had blocked him from realizing that the other person had been under the same conviction for years fighting those same spirits. This caused me to realize that men are more easily targeted by the enemy than our weaker counter parts. Men have so much ego, pride, and testosterone, that it builds an alpha wall toward their quest in domination. The spirit of our enemy has convinced us that any weakness is a sign of complete surrender. Anyway, when my friend met with the other man and confessed his remorse, sorrow and pain, asking the man to forgive him. God open the eyes to the man’s heart to not only hear the forgiveness from my friend but to see the sincerity that flowed from his heart. But then the real beauty of God hand showed out and not only caused the man to accept my friends apology but to confess his own digression in the situation and apologize seeking my friends forgiveness. This is when I received the thought of the two-edged sword. Jesus in one fell swoop trimmed the men from his sin of unforgiveness and revived the love that had been dormant in their hearts for the entirety of their wordless feud. I don’t remember how long this had went on, but I remember when my friend acted on God’s instruction, it was over in a matter of minutes. Ergo the double-edged sword that is spoken of in Hebrews 4:12 (ESV), For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. May we all let Jesus cut our cords of bondage!
It would be to everyone’s benefit to not only read this quote but to give it some serious thought. Sadly, this is where many of our neighbors live today and any of us may be counted in their numbers tomorrow. I read a quote that stated, “Fear is a double-edged sword. It can be used to your advantage, or it can be used against you,” -David Nicola. So many of the men that I am privileged to meet with, has survived a great number of issues that I am actively seeking to avoid. The key word here is “actively!” We desire to learn more about how to not only dodge these pit falls but how to escape them should we fall in. Ergo we spend time with Jesus, studying God’s word every day and meet together often to share our experiences especially our missteps. We use the experiences of others to be the iron sharpening iron of God’s two-edged sword. How better to please God’s and protect self than to use the weapons of defense God has provided and His two-edged sword is a very important part of the armor of God. The men I meet with in the various meetings all seek to receive the best of God to better understand how to treat the worst in others, as we are blessed with a position to do that today. “The way that I see things, God has given me the awesome privilege of choosing which side of the sword I need to use, there is an edge to better my every situation as it trims the undesirable from me and there is an edge for battle with the demons and the enemy of my soul.” We find in Revelation 2:11-12 (ESV), 11 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ Choose wisely! Death is not the final stop.
Many of us Jesus followers have at some time, or another used the protection of the double-edged sword to keep us from sin, however, our reliance on the sword can become strong enough to imprison us. In my research I read this quote by Mokokoma Mokhonoana, “Security is a double-edged sword: While a fence sure protects the fenced; it also imprisons the protected.” Which speaks volumes to me, on how I need to rely on God and His wisdom, allowing Him to say when and how each tool and gift should be applied in my day-to-day life! Please read, Revelation 2:12-17 which explains God two-edged sword even more.
Father God, my petition to you this week is that you open the hearts of the readers of this writing that they hear the truth that your way shall forever be better than ours. May we eat, sleep and believe with every fiber of our being what is written in Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV), 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Lord, You know Pastor Joe used to tell me a lot, the greatest miracle Jesus ever performed what that of a changed life and I believe it because you changed me! So today, I pray that every reader would be touched by You in those areas that are holding them back, that they may be drawn closer to you. I pray Lord that you be so highly lifted up through my lifestyle that it inspire others to desire you. Amen
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
Check out-------www.sundaysmonday.com------02/19/2023.