Page 191 - Push Back

arrived, he helped greatly those who had believed through grace; for he powerfully refuted the
Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Yahshua was the Christ.

It is not just church leaders who are called to give a defense of the truths of God’s kingdom. All
Christians should apply themselves to growing in the knowledge of God’s word, using it
skillfully to give a defense of the kingdom of God.

I Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who
asks you a reason for the hope that is in you...

If you encounter an argument from those who oppose God and His word, what do you do? Do
you shrug off the matter and forget about it? Do you glibly reply that some things simply have to
be taken on faith? Do you concede with the enemies of righteousness that the Bible is a deeply
flawed book? Or do you follow the advice that the apostle Paul spoke to Timothy?

II Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.

Could your study of God’s word be described as “diligent”? Or are you a slacker? People of God,
in this hour of great apostasy and growing darkness in the world, there is no room for
complacency. If you do not push back against the darkness, you will be overcome by it. The
weapons of a Christian’s warfare are not carnal. The apostle Paul describes “the word of God”
and “prayer” as being the chief offensive weapons of a believer.

Ephesians 6:17-18
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all
prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit.

A man cannot be handed a sword and expect that he will automatically be a master of its use. The
same is true when it comes to developing skill in one’s use of the Scriptures. People are not born
skillful in the scriptures. They become that way as they exercise discipline, patience, and a
zealous pursuit of the truth. Gaining a mastery of God’s word is no different than gaining mastery
in some natural endeavor, such as sport. Some people may have a greater inherent ability, but
without discipline, training, and focus upon a goal, all the ability in the world will prove vain.

The Christian has the distinct advantage of having God, the all-wise, all-powerful Creator of the
universe, on their side. Those who come to God, earnestly entreating Him to instruct them in
truth and to help them gain skill in their mastery of His word, will not be turned away. James
scolded the church, saying, “You have not because you ask not.” When was the last time you
asked Yahweh to help you gain a mastery of His word? If you ask, He will answer. The
Scriptures state:

John 6:45