Focus: Greatest Spiritual Asset

Text: Gen.12:1

"Now the LORD had SAID unto Abram…"

The word of God is the greatest asset of the believer in Christ, and Satan knows it. In Gen.1:29, we read, "And God SAID…," and in Gen.3:1, we read of Satan questioning what God has said: "Yea, hath God SAID…?" Satan knows that the greatest power in the universe lies in the word God speaks. Satan knows that he cannot stop God from speaking words of power and authority, and so, he tries to sow doubts in the believer in order to neutralize the power of the word.

In the parable of the Sower, the Lord Jesus tells us that the seed is the word of God, and He goes on to tell us that "those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the DEVIL, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, LEST they should believe and be saved" (Lk.8:12). Mark says, "SATAN cometh IMMEDIATELY, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mk.4:15). Satan wants the believer to be empty of the word and power of God. He steals the word from the heart as soon as the believer hears it. He takes away the word of God sown in us. Again, Jesus Christ says, "The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, CHOKED the word, and he becometh unfruitful" (Mt.13:22). Luke says it a bit differently, "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are CHOKED with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION" (Lk.8:14). Satan not only STEALS the word, but he also CHOKES the word and makes sure that it does not bear mature or ripe fruit. He makes the little available fruit uneatable. Mark tells us more: "And have NO ROOT in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when AFFLICTION or PERSECUTION ariseth for THE WORD'S SAKE, immediately they are offended" (Mk.4:17). Mark tells us here that Satan makes sure that the word does not take root in the hearer's heart, and again, he attacks the believer with affliction and persecution because of the word. Satan attacks us for the sake of the word. He wants the word out of us by all means. He uses human religion and tradition to nullify the effect of God's word in our lives.

Will you let the devil succeed in his campaign? Bear in mind that the word of God is your highest treasure and greatest asset. We are spiritually poor and supernaturally weak without the word of God. Martin Luther of Germany says that "a layman armed with the Scriptures is mightier than the pope." We win battles with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The word God speaks gives us life and puts power in us. We are meant to live by every word that proceeds from God's mouth.

God changed Abraham's life and charted the course of his destiny by His word. Abraham lived by what God said. His whole future depended on it. His whole world was created by the word of God.

Reject and resist Satan in your life. Stop him from stopping you. The word of God has all you need in it. Enrich your life with the word of God. Arm your soul with Scripture. Speak the word and exercise your God-given authority. Pray the word and let it take root in you. Frame your world with the word of God. The word of God is your greatest asset. You are rich with Scripture. It is your spiritual ammunition, and Satan knows it.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter