The word of God is referred to as a weapon of warfare that pulls down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). What exactly does this mean? How can a word be a weapon?
We can first define the word weapon according to the Webster translation that states it is a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage. In the Greek translation Paul uses it for, it nearly means the same thing but adds that it can also be a tool used in implementing the preparation of a thing.
With this in mind, we have weapons spiritually that may not always make sense to the carnal mind and the flesh. It is crucial for every believer to understand how to engage and deploy these weapons lest we find ourselves engaging into battles that belong to the Lord alone. In 2 Chronicles 20:17 and 1 Samuel 17:47 we notice two battles which are a perfect depiction of our subject matter, a king who goes to war with instruments of worship as weapons, and a warrior who goes to slay a giant with a slingshot and soft stones. These sound almost unfathomable, even satirical but true to David’s word, the battle belongs to the Lord and our part is to move in understanding of who fights for us and position ourselves accordingly, then we receive the victory and share in His glory.
Engaging Songs of Deliverance
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 NIV
Charles Spurgeon once gave a phenomenal analogy about this passage saying: Like a file that removes rust but does not damage the metal, trouble shall do no real harm when the Lord is with me, rather it shall bring me much benefit. The mercies of God surround us with the triumphs of grace like a beautiful song with no breach.
I have often woken up with a song humming in my spirit as though it’s playing as background music. Other instances would involve having a particular song stuck on your mind and you cannot seem to shake it off yet you haven’t listened to or been exposed to it to justify why it is top of mind. To the most sensitive and attuned to spiritual senses, you may have experiences where songs that come are not native to you and if you know to steward well divine curiosity you may find a message in that as well.
When you have such experiences, I suggest you lean in and examine what the Spirit could be sharing in such moments. What is this song emphasizing? How does it relate to the prayers that have occupied your petitions in that season, day, week or month? Write down the details you are able to pick. You may or may not be able to fully understand it all at once and that is okay. God is not limited to one way of speaking. The distinction of all His communications simply has to be in alignment with truth as there are multiple ways the Lord may choose to speak. Likewise, many are the voices that seek to derail you off course and it is your responsibility to guard your ears and eyes by sieving through what you listen to, watch and read.
I have often shared how some worship songs deemed ‘gospel’, especially in this day and age, are sometimes conceived in the womb of emotions but not truth. Feelings are a gift from God but only to accomplish a particular end. For example, anger indicates something is wrong and must be addressed; however, when anger lasts longer than it should or is handled recklessly it can become bitterness and resentment and lead one to do something irreparable.
Feelings cannot be the basis of our decisions because they don’t last forever. That is why making lasting decisions based on feelings is always the quickest way to a downfall. The same is for worship songs that may be heavily concentrated with the author’s feelings and not necessarily everlasting truth. Those songs may cause you to confess against truth and come into agreement with fallen oracles. It is possible to write a worship song that is inspired by an experience that radically changed your life and may be a blessing to others but wisdom demands this be done in a way that reveals Christ in your breakthrough.
This is what makes most of the old hymns such as ‘It is Well with My Soul, Amazing Grace, Blessed Be The Tie that Binds …’ timeless from generation to generation never becoming unreliable because they draw from the place of truth. I am inclined to believe God still surrounds us with songs of deliverance, perhaps even more deeply than David who did not live to see the Messiah or have the Holy Spirit in him as you and I have the privilege to. Let us be wise, curious about things ethical and divine and take joy in the way the spirit teaches us in marvelous yet simple ways that reveal Christ as our reward. Hallelujah!
If you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, and you feel that this is the perfect time, pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I thank you because you died for my sins and you were raised for my glory. Today, I receive you as my Lord and Savior. I am born again. Amen.”
