|  Mark Edward  |

HOW TO BUILD YOUR WORD ARSENAL

Several years back, I realized I was not as strong in some areas as I wanted to be. I began seeking God’s Word for tools to overcome.

I came across the passage from 2 Corinthians 10 that talks about “using our powerful God tools.”  It reminded me of arsenals, or stock piles of weapons.  Not physical, but spiritual weapons.

The definition for ‘arsenal’ is pretty cool:
“A secure and guarded location where weapons are developed, tested, and stored for future defense.”

So I decided to build my own groups of weapons from God’s Word to help me in my areas of weakness.  In the heat of the battle, you need a weapon!  I can tell you first hand – my Arsenal has been crucial in my success as a husband, father, mentor, and friend.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

The ESV says the Word exposes the intentions of our heart.  It discerns between the squirrelly thoughts in our soul and the truth that is already in our spirit.

“OK, so having my own Word Arsenal is critical. How do I get started?”

A. Create It.

Find scriptures which apply to your situation.

List them.  Write them out.  Add them to your laptop or smartphone.  Journal them, or even jot them down on the old-school 3×5 cards. Just get started.  Create a system and stick with it.  

B. Categorize It.

Why?  

If you need help “overcoming temptation”, you don’t pull out a the swords on “money”. You pull out the ones on “overcoming temptation”.  So develop your own specific categories of arsenals.  The free software EVERNOTE (link below) has helped me categorize  my arsenal from paper to digital.   I access it on the run with my smartphone.

C. Build It.

Every time you find a scripture that leaps out to you, log it.

Add it to your Arsenal. Over days, weeks, months, then years, you will be amazed at the vast value of your Arsenal. Yet, it’s not how many weapons you have. It’s HOW you use them.

David carefully chose 5 smooth stones. It only took one carefully aimed stone to bring the giant down. Nothing fancy. Just well chosen and accurate.  David was very familiar with his simple slingshot.

D. Keep it Close.

You don’t store weapons 10 miles across town.

You keep them under your bed, where you can get to them at a moment’s notice – at the first sign of trouble. In the case of Word Weapons, keep them in your car, by your bed, in your phone or pocket.

Practice using them regularly. Respect and value them.

Actual pic of 3×5 cards I used years ago, before I went digital.  I still refer back to them.

E. Use It.

When the battle is on, you pull out the appropriate weapon.

The enemy could be Satan, your flesh, your mind, situations, struggles, or anything that is attempting to “take you out”. You don’t just randomly grab any weapon. You choose the sword, stone, rifle, (or grenade launcher if needed) that will do the most damage for the situation.

How do I use my Arsenal in everyday life?

Simple.

Speak it out loud.

The Truth slices the temptation, struggle, or situation down to size  so that you can overcome the attack.

Jesus did this in Matthew 4. When tempted, He answered Satan with, “It is written.”

He spoke out Scripture.

Three times –  before Satan departed.

Speaking The Word out loud cuts down the lies, reveals The Truth, and sends your enemy scattering.  What good is your amazing weapon if you don’t use it?  You use it by SPEAKING it out loud in the heat of the battle.

Success Key:
Replace false thoughts with true thoughts from His Word about your battle.

Guys, you can use the links to find scriptures online that apply to your situation.

The Bible Hub link has great Parallel Resources
(viewing several translations at once)

Start Today.

Write them down or print them out. Use an App. Get them in your heart. He will show you what weapon’s you need. Open His Word and start looking. Just a few minutes a week will transform your life.

Here’s one to get you started:

Psalm 119:9, 11 says:
“How can a young man stay pure? By obeying Your Word…I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

The ESV says, “by GUARDING it, according to Your Word.”   The Message Bible says, “I have banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.”

Making it Real

II Corinthians 10:3 MSG

“The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.

Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”

The bottom line for having an Arsenal is to bring every loose thought, emotion, and impulse into check.

What are some Word Weapons you are placing in your Arsenal?

(Thought Life is a Big One!  Start Building Your Thought Life Arsenal Here:  Arsenal on Thought Life – Home Page )