Pastor, keep your sword sharp

Paul warned his spiritual son and successor, Timothy: “Know this…in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV). As you read this list, you realize Paul could easily have been describing the generation we live in today. So what’s the answer? Men and women of God who know how to skilfully wield the sword of His Word. And if you are one of them, rest assured Satan has targeted you. He wants to blunt the sharp edge of your sword so that your message is ineffective. It’s an old trick that the Philistines, Israel’s archenemies, used to keep them in captivity. They got rid of all the blacksmiths in the land (see 1 Samuel 13:19). Consequently, the Israelites had no way to sharpen their swords, defend themselves, and throw off the yoke of oppression. Are you getting the message? God’s people tend to grow dull and need to be sharpened spiritually. And pastor, as a spiritual blacksmith, it’s your calling to sharpen them. And it’s Satan’s job to try and stop you any way he can (see 1 Peter 5:8). So live on your knees and live in God’s Word. The hour is late, and the need is great. Pastor, God is counting on you to keep your sword sharp.