Skillfully Using the Sword!

Skillfully Using the Sword by LaKisha M. Johnson

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.………

On Sunday morning, I was getting my house ready to go to church. My younger boys are 7 and 12, my older boys are 25, 23 and 20. My 20 year old still lives in the house with me. We have faced many challenges into adulthood. Wait, let me be honest. I have wanted to wring his neck, and in my “rookie” days I would have, but since I am growing into a mature relationship with Christ, I am learning that isn’t always beneficial. As we were getting ready to leave, Josiah my twelve (12) year old said, “Mom, you should make Jaleel (20 year old) go to church with us”. I thought about this, I have a sign on my book shelf that says, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!”(Joshua 24:15). Shouldn’t I make him get up and go to church??? But I started thinking, nope. He has been raised in the “way he should go”, his relationship with Christ is personal, and he at twenty (20) needs to cultivate this on his own.

In Matthew 13:4, Jesus tells the parable of the sower, how the farmer scatters seed, in areas in which the soil isn’t fertile enough, or deep enough, available enough for him to sow in. It is the same for people and the Word of God, you have to skillfully use the sword. Be careful with people, so that you don’t cause grief. Choosing to put on love, in which there is a situation that would break peace. Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Sometimes, you have to choose peace over everything else. I won’t water down the gospel, I won’t compromise my truths, but I have learned how to skillfully use the Word, so that Jesus gets the ultimate win, and not me myself. This isn't about LaKisha, this is about God getting the ultimate glory. I have learned more than anything it’s more for me to put on love (Colossians 3:14), and choose my words wisely with my son, because it will only be effective in the right soil. In the end Love, will ultimately win, it won most of us. (John 3:16)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom we need to use our swords (the Word), to know, when to speak and when no to, to know when to choose peace over everything else. Help us to stay focused on health relationships so that people can draw closer to you and not mimic us. In Jesus Name. Amen

LaKisha M. Johnson is mom, author, motivational speaker, minister and teacher. She is the host of Coffee and Conversations on “facebook live” Monday-Friday at 5:00 am central standard time and Saturdays at 8:00 am central standard time. She hosts a pajama party for women, “Pillow Talk” several times throughout the year, walking them through God inspired truths, while providing a place of vulnerability and transparency to talk. To find out more information on her log on to lakishamjohnson.com and follow her on social media @justbeinglmj.