1 John 2:14, "Have the Right Weapon"

Our first night on the Chattanooga Mission Trip was Friday, March 30th, 2012. Cameron started things off by explaining exactly what I said in yesterday's post—that each of the devo's would have one main point that could be easily grasped, like catching a baseball. And then he threw an actual baseball to each of the students and told them that they would be writing a "baseball takeaway" from each devo on their baseball. At the end of the trip they would have something they could hold in their hands by which to remember the trip. We were ready for baseball takeaway #1!

Cameron asked the students to turn to 1 John 2:14. He explained that John, the apostle, was writing to churches probably all across Asia Minor. In this particular verse, he is addressing the young men in those churches. He says that he is writing to them because they are strong, and the word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the evil one. Cameron told the us that the young men overcame the evil one because they had God's word abiding in them.

What does that mean, "God's word abiding in them"? It means they had memorized Scripture! God's word had taken up residence in their minds and hearts. And this was the weapon they had used to overcome the enemy. Cameron told us that just as those young men needed the right weapon to overcome the enemy, so do we. We need to have the right weapon to overcome the enemy.

So what does that look like in your life, right now? I know that you are battling with the enemy. He prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour you. He brings temptation all day long just waiting for you to give in. Money. Sex. Power. Food. Reputation. He's coming after you and dangling those things in front of you. He wants you to make those things your god.

God's word is the only weapon that you can use to effectively fight the enemy. For me, memorizing Scripture is like putting the Bible like a sword in the sheath of my heart. It allows me to pull out the right weapon at any moment when the enemy is on the prowl around me. It allows me to fight him with a force he cannot resist.

What are you fighting him with?! He is infinitely stronger than you, and he will do everything in his power to get you to sin! Stop walking around this devil-ruled world without a sword in your hand! Turn off your t.v., turn off your iPod, and start memorizing Scripture! You're gonna need it when the enemy comes to devour you. Don't wait til he's right in front of you to decide that it's time to get the right weapon! The time to get that weapon is now.

So start with this verse, 1 John 2:14. Look it up and say it to yourself until you can say it without looking at your Bible. And keep saying it to yourself every time you think about it. Today. Tomorrow. The rest of this month. Remember, you must have the right weapon if you are going to defeat the enemy. Let's be a group of Christ followers who carry massive, razor sharp, two-edged swords, slicing the enemy to pieces whenever he foolishly comes prowling our way.