Nov 18

Paul knew the protection that God provides for his people when they are attacked by the enemy. He says in 2 Timothy 4:17 that the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength.

It is interesting to note what kind of attack this was from which Paul needed God's protection. He goes on to say that he was "delivered from the lion's mouth." Whether symbolized by a dragon spewing forth a flood of words, possibly, or a lion doing the same, we see here that Scripture takes extremely seriously the words that come forth from the mouths of men or demons.

Words have power. The words of Satan through the lips of those who follow him in this world, whether knowingly or not, deceive and bring death and destruction by ruining people's minds and making them believe false doctrines and teachings of men and demons.

The Word of God, however, is a life-giving spring of water, not a flood that brings death.

So we see these two, opposite forces of water: One, from the enemy, who seeks to drown and kill all who are swept away by the poisonous words that flow from his lips. And the other the life-giving waters of the gospel, which is mentioned in the same verse quoted above that also mentions the lion's mouth. For in that same breath, Paul says that the Lord protected him for the very purpose that he could speak to the world about the gospel message: " . . . so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it."

Words, and speaking and hearing -- the battle for souls in tightly bound up with communication of truth and distortion by the enemy of truth.

Scripture for today: 2 Timothy 4:16-18
Thought for today: Words have power to kill and to make alive.
Prayer for today: Lord, may I listen to your Word only and not to the distortions of that word by the evil one. Grant me discernment and knowledge of the truth and stand by me as you did for your servant Paul, that I may also carry your clear word of truth to the world.

NOV 18