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Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
The Israel of today, seems to be on the brink of civil war. Different sectors of the nation treat each other openly as if they were enemies, disagreeing almost violently over the orthodox or libertarian nature of the nation, over who should lead the nation, etc.
I have recently observed how even more than usual, various Israeli leaders are allowing themselves to slide into caustic verbal warfare with each other – using their tongues as swords, using their words for destruction and not for building up Israel.
Speaking of war, Paul gave us, the followers of Yeshua, instructions on how to handle spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-19. First we need to remember that our fight is not against flesh and blood. Even though the attacks which come against us are through men (flesh and blood) we must remember that the enemy is the one manipulating the situation.
As Yeshua’s disciples, what should we do? Paul instructed us to stand; to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness; to direct our feet to the gospel of peace. We must remember that the enemy’s arrows are always directed toward us, and the shield of faith is our defense against those fiery darts. We also have the helmet of salvation to cover our thoughts, and we should remind ourselves that we are saved by grace.
Now to our main point, we must take the sword of the Spirit. However, the sword is not in our hand, but rather it is the Word of God which comes out of our mouth. In Revelation 19, we read about Yeshua riding on the white horse, and in verse 15, from His mouth comes forth a sharp sword.
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” (Revelation 19:11-15 NIV)
Until that day, let us use the power of our words for the purpose of edification, prayer, intercession and claiming His Kingdom.
“Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ASV)
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
The spoken word can tear down or build up. As the darkness of this world grows darker, we are all called to speak life, light, truth and grace.
And now a personal request for my homeland; please pray for His shalom in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.
