THE HAND ILLUSTRATION
In Ephesians 6:17, we are told that the Sword of the Spirit isthe Word of God. If we are to be effective, we must develop astrong grip in order to use this sword correctly and accurately.The hand illustration shows us how.
| HEAR | Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ. Hearing the Word from godly pastors and teachers stimulates our faith and our own desire to know the Word. |
| READ | Deuteronomy 17:19 explains that reading the Word enables us to learn to revere the Lord and to follow carefully His laws and decrees. |
| STUDY | Acts 17:11 gives the example of the Bereans, who being of noble character, examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. They authenticated what they heard by their own study of the Scriptures. |
| MEMORIZE | Colossians 3:16 commands us to allow God's Word to dwell in us richly. To dwell means that our thoughts are continually directed toward the Word. Memorizing Scripture provides us with the tool to accomplish that goal. |
| MEDITATE | Psalms 1:2-3 tells us that the one who delights in God's Word meditates on it. Meditation is the key to producing stability, effectiveness and properity in our walk with God. Just as the thumb touches all four fingers of the hand, so we must meditate on what we hear, read, study and memorize. |
| APPLY | Joshua 1:8 explains that the result of meditation is application. Only as we apply God's Word in our daily lives will we experience God's prosperity and success. Just as the wrist provides the source of strength and power for the hand, so also application provides for God's strength and power in our lives. |
It is not possible to build a strong grip without all fivefingers. Nor is it possible to weild a sword without a strongwrist. If we are to use the Sword of the Spirit correctly andaccurately, we must hear, read, study, memorize and meditate onthe Word of God and apply it daily in our lives.