Women of the Bible Lesson 16 Jael: A Story of Courage Part 14 Spiritual Weapons

2 Corinthians 10:4-6, “For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.” (AMPC)     

Today we will be looking at our next spiritual weapon: Our Testimony. 

1 Peter 3:15-16, But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.  And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words]. (AMP) 

Revelation 12:11, And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. (AMP) 

Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines Testimony as: firsthand authentication of a fact; a public profession of religious experience; an open acknowledgment.  

There are many reasons for Christians to share our testimony.  In each case, our testimony is a weapon against the forces of the enemy.   

The first and most often thought of reason is to draw the lost to Christ.   

In John 4 we read the account of the woman at the well.  We know that Jesus met her at the well at noon.  This was not the typical time for drawing water, since by noon it was already very hot.  Most women drew their water earlier in the day.  We can assume from this that she did not want to be at the well with the other women or was not welcome to join them.   

During their encounter, Jesus revealed that he knew her past and still accepted her.  After talking with Jesus, she left her water jar, her reason for coming to the well, and ran into town telling everyone she met about her meeting with Jesus.   

John 4:39, Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” (AMP) 

This lost, broken, rejected women met Jesus and her life was forever changed.  Immediately after her encounter she began giving her testimony to everyone she met.  Through her testimony, many Samaritans came to accept Jesus as Savior.   

Our testimony does not just have to be spoken.  How we live our lives is a testimony to what we believe.  For those who came to Christ later in life, their new lifestyle can speak louder than their words to those who are observing their life.  It has been said, “You might be the only Bible some people every read.”   

A second reason to give our testimony is to give glory and honor to God.  Testimony is a form of praise and honor to Christ.i 

In Luke 8 we read the account of the demon-possessed man from Gerasene.  We know that Jesus cast out a legion of demons from this man and sent them into a herd of pigs that were there.  Jesus then got ready to leave to return to the other side of the lake.  

Luke 8:38-39, The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. (NLT) 

Everywhere this man went he gave testimony to the delivering/healing power of Jesus. While scripture does not tell us how his testimony impacted the community, I think we would be safe in assuming that many who heard and saw this man were blessed by his testimony and many probably gave glory to God.   

Thirdly, our testimony can demonstrate the authority of Christ.   

In John 9 we read the account of Jesus healing the man born blind.  John 9:11, 32-33, He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” (NLT)  

This man’s healing caused a huge stir in the community.  Friends and neighbors of the man were astonished at this miracle and questioned the man about his healing, even taking him before the religious leaders.   He could not explain it other than to say, “I was blind but now I see”.  

In Acts 3 we read another account of Peter and John healing a lame man in Jesus’ Name.   Acts 3:4-10, Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! (NLT) 

In both cases the testimony of these men demonstrated the power of Jesus.  People do not want dead religion!  When we have a need, we all desire a god who can answer our prayers.  The enemy has blinded many so that they continue to worship idols that cannot now, nor ever will answer.  When we share the miracle working power of Christ, we are showing a lost world that there is a God who hears and answers!! 

Another reason to share our testimony is to combat fear and build faith.   

In 1 Samuel 17, we read the account of David’s victory over Goliath.  Verses 8-11 tell us; Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken. (NLT) 

We know that Goliath kept this taunting up morning and evening for 40 days.  When David arrived, he heard Goliath mocking the army of Israel.  This made him angry.  Eventually, David finds himself in Saul’s tent offering to fight the giant.  When Saul points out that David is a boy and Goliath a trained soldier, David replies, “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!  The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17: 34-37 (NLT) 

Here David’s testimony not only demonstrated God’s power for King Saul, but it also encouraged David’s own spirit!  It gave him courage to go out against Goliath and win!!! 

When we are going through a difficult time, we can encourage ourselves by recounting (testifying) to the goodness of God in our lives.  As we testify about the wonderful deeds of God from our past, we encourage our own spirits to trust God in the current situation.  Our testimony combats the fear we are facing and builds our faith!   

Finally, our testimony encourages others who are battling something we’ve already been through, unlocking the prison doors behind which they are being held by the enemy. 

I read this quote while I was studying for this lesson.  “Your story is the key that can unlock someone else’s prison.” - Author unknown.   

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)  

We know that everyone goes through trials and testing.  There is no one who has ever been born who did/does not face struggles, including Jesus.  When we face trials, it is easy to feel like we are the only one who has ever gone through anything like this.  However, the opposite is true.  When we share our testimony with others, we never know how our it might impact them.  

I cannot speak for you, however, if something I’ve been through, no matter how hard or even embarrassing it might have been, can help open the prison doors for another person, I am willing to shout my testimony from the rooftops!   

In conclusion, our testimony is a powerful weapon against the schemes of the enemy.  It can draw the lost to Christ, give glory and honor to God, demonstrate the authority of Christ, combat fear and build faith, and finally, unlock the prison doors in the lives of others.   

May we remember to share our testimonies on a regular basis!  

Works Cited:

i https://biblereasons.com/testimony/