Disarmament? Never!

Mark 4:13-20
13 And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
14 The sower sows the word.
15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

Earlier in chapter 4 Jesus spoke of a parable. This passage explains that parable.
He also said that if we don't understand THIS PARTICULAR parable, then we would not understand any of them. This one is the Granddaddy of them all.

It speaks about a person that "sows God's Word". Hearing God's Word.
Three times it tells us that satan comes FOR that Word.
vs. 15 says: Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
vs. 17 says: for the word's sake
vs. 19 says: entering in choke the word

In Romans 8:35 tells us: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

In verse 17 we're told: tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble

Romans tells us that tribulation and persecution is a WHO. So WHO do you think is bringing tribulation and persecution to cause us to stumble? :) There's not much left to the imagination here.

In verse 19 it says: and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

What we're looking at here is:
Cares of this world. Not trusting God.
Deceitfulness of riches. The notion that money would solve all our problems.
Desire for other things. Not putting God first.

The devil knows that if he can bring distraction and keep our eyes off God's Word, it makes his job a WHOLE LOT EASIER.

He's not after our health or that of our family.
He's not after our financial security.
He's not after our marriages.
He's not after our children.
He's not after our peace of mind and heart.
He's not after ANYTHING but God's Word.

It' all about the Word. He knows that the Word is what defeats him.

The enemy of our lives knows that if he can bring one blow after another, after another after another, it will bring discouragement to us. His intent is to bring so much discouragement that we will close our Bible and lay it aside. When we do that, God's Word is not in front of our eyes, does not go into our heart, nor does it come out of our mouths. If we come to that place, he's accomplished what he was after to begin with. DISARMAMENT.

Remember over in Ephesians 6:10-18 we're told about weapons of warfare, the Whole Armor of God. There are six pieces to our armor.
1. Helmet of salvation
2. Shield of faith
3. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
4. Breastplate of righteousness
5. Belt of truth
6. Shoes of peace

Out of these six pieces of armor, 5 of them are defensive.
Only ONE is offensive.
The only ONE Piece that is offensive is the Sword of the Spirit - God's Word.

The ONLY thing that defeats the devil is God's Word.
Remember when Jesus was in the wilderness after He was baptized in water...and God's Spirit came down upon Him. After He was praying and fasting for about 40 days, satan came to him three different times to proposition Jesus. What was Jesus' response each time?

IT IS WRITTEN!
IT IS WRITTEN!
IT IS WRITTEN!

Jesus brought to the enemy, of all of our lives, the Word of God.
He sat a good example for us didn't He?

Mark chapter 4 is about NOT allowing the devil DISARM us. He's out to remove the Word of God from our mouths, our eyes. He knows that if we have God's Word sown into our hearts and we guard it and USE it and not allow him to steal it from us then we're not under his influence. Besides, because of the finished work of Jesus he is already DEFEATED. Jesus defeated satan in hell, and all of his minions were a witness to that defeat. They already know that their masters defeat is theirs also. They HATE that, and have GREAT fear and dread about anyone who KNOWS who they are in Christ Jesus, and can make confident use of GOD'S WORD.

Father, I ask You to HELP US! Help us to not just hear Your Word but to GUARD it with all that is in us. Help us to BELIEVE Your Word, to SPEAK Your Word and NEVER allow the lies from hell to influence us to lay it down. Your Word will be around even when heaven and earth pass away. Your Word is what created and set the universe in motion...and holds it together. Your Word is what has brought us out of the kingdom of darkness and INTO THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT, YOUR KINGDOM. Hallelujah! Lord, HELP US, to keep our eyes on You. Help us to keep on putting Your Word into our hearts regardless of what card the devil plays against us. We will not, WITH YOUR HELP, ever become disarmed. In the Name of Jesus.