[Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:40-50]
I will talk about the secret weapon that Christians can use for protection against the danger of temptations. It’s best for Christians to use this weapon when we are in spiritual warfare. The definition of spiritual warfare is the act of fighting against trials and temptations that keep us from the truth of God. However, temptation itself is not a sin against God, but it gives people false hopes and confusion. The consequence of accepting the temptation is separation from the source of life and from heavenly joy and peace.
Priscilla Shirer, who is Christian author, motivational speaker, and actress said that the effects of spiritual warfare in the unseen world reveal themselves in our strained and damaged relationships, emotional instability, mental fatigue, physical exhaustion, and many other areas of life.
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul said that when we feel something is going on in our life, we should not only focus on visible phenomena but also think about the spiritual forces of the invisible power that is working behind the phenomena.
There are common signs that many contemporary Christian experience as symptoms of spiritual crises.
- Groundless fears in the night and hopelessness in the daytime
- Uncontrollable anger and hatred of other individuals without proper reasons
- Losing motivation to worship or praise God with a joyful heart.
Now, we are facing some degree of uncertainty because of COVID-19. This can cause you to feel stressed, anxious, and powerless, which in turn makes you feel insecure. In a time of uncertainty, when you experience any kind of emotional and spiritual problem that disturbs your spiritual and physical well-being, do you have a weapon to fight against it?
David’s Secret Weapon
Today’s passages tell us the story of David’s special weapon and how he utilized it to destroy Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:40-49, when the Israelites were standing on the battleline to meet the Philistines, Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. He was a champion of war because he was about 9 feet tall, and he was incredibly strong because he had iron weapons such as a javelin, a spear, and a sword while the Israel army used mostly primitive weapons such as farm implements. One of those primitive weapons was a slingshot.
In verse 11, when Goliath came down with his gigantic weapons, “Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” Their courage failed them because there was no guarantee they would come back with glory from the battlefield after they went down. While everyone ran from Goliath in great fear, David dashed to Goliath and said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.”
What made him courageous like that?
David’s courage came from the sling with the five smooth stones that he had at his hands. It was his secret weapon that Goliath never had. While Goliath had short-range or medium-range weapons like a sword and a spear, David had a sling. The sling was a long-range weapon to throw the deadly stones at Goliath from a distance. In other words, Goliath had a pistol or shotgun, but David carried a rifle when they met in the open field.
David already knew how powerful the slingshot was before he came down to Goliath because he was an active shepherd who had experience using the sling with stones. That gave him confidence that Goliath could not even touch him because he knew he had a rifle to shoot Goliath far away.
The Secret Weapon to Destroy the Enemy
So, the spiritual lesson for today’s sermon is to be an active Christian. David had a sling with five smooth stones as his powerful weapon to destroy Goliath the giant. Five smooth stones were useful and the proper tools to fight and defeat Goliath. David already knew what stones were fitting to use to defeat the enemy because he was an active shepherd boy who fought with wild beasts to protect his father’s sheep. His confidence came from his life experience in the field.
As a Christian, what is your weapon you use to fight to win against your spiritual Goliath, the giant in your life? I am confident to say that Scripture is the source of our courage when we are facing a time of uncertainty. Bible verses are a Christian’s secret weapons to overcome trials in the times of fear and anxiety. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul said to take “the sword of the Spirit,” which is the word of God.
The words of God are a long-range weapon and they work beyond the boundary of the visible and invisible world because Hebrews 4:12 said, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
What is your sling with five smooth stones? And have you practiced using it to protect yourself and God’s sheep in the faith community? In other words, have you memorized at least five of your favorite Bible verses to use as weapons that you rely on when you are facing the fear of uncertainty?
If you do not have them yet, I am challenging you to memorize them. They will be your secret weapon to fight against evil. The words of God will fight effectively and will win the battle for you when you speak them out from your heart through your mouth. To be an active Christian means to use the words of God as a powerful sword to destroy trials and temptations for you and for others.
Conclusion
When I was a boy, I was a rascal and naughty boy. I did not fear anything except the crazy dog who lived near my neighbor’s house. If I wanted to see my friends who were living on another side of the town, I needed to pass by that house. When I tried to pass the house, the dog would rush and bare its teeth and growl aggressively. When I needed to pass the house, I needed to have a strategy to make the dog leave me alone. If I pretend to throw something toward the dog, the dog would run looking for it. In my experience, imaginary balls were the best tools that made the crazy dog leave me alone.
David chose five stones as his powerful secret weapon to fight against the Goliath. Please use the words of God as spiritual stones to destroy evil when you are overwhelmed with uncontrollable fear.
These are my final words for you today. Please be an active Christian who stands in the place of worship with people as a shepherd of God. As his father’s shepherd, David always worked hard to stay with the sheep in the field. In the same way, God calls Christians to stand with people and spend time together. God calls our church to stay by your side, in sickness and health, in joy and in sorrow as well as through the good times and the bad. Please, I humbly ask you to share your time with us.
2021.09.12. Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo on Unsplash
