We all desire to be strong in Spirit as we walk out our Christian lives. Some may find it hard to know how that is accomplished, but today’s Bible Journaling verse tells us, “A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength.” (Proverbs 24:5 CSB) The Amplified Bible says, “A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge strengthens his power;” Biblical knowledge and wisdom help us in Spiritual Warfare against the enemy of our souls.
I know for myself when I am intentionally making time to spend with God in His Word, it’s easier for me to stand up against the temptations placed in front of me by Satan and his imps. When I fail to keep that appointment, that’s when I find myself not remembering how to come against the attacks of the enemy. That is when I have to allow the Lord to be strong through me.
In his commentary on Proverbs, J. Vernon McGee states, “We need to know what the whole Bible says. We need to read Moses and Joshua and Samuel and David and Micah and Zechariah and Matthew and Paul and John. They are all our counselors.” We gain wisdom and knowledge through reading Scripture, and not just reading it, but studying it. We need to know what God’s Word says right at the time of an attack on our souls. When we study it, going over verses with a magnifying glass, digging out the truths that will help us grow Spiritually, we find that when needed those verses will come to us, helping us to resist the temptation. As we study, we grow and become strong in Spirit.
God desires that we come to Him to gain wisdom, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NASB) He wants us to seek out His wisdom because He wants us to grow in Spiritual strength. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” (Proverbs 2:6 ESV) Wisdom and knowledge come from Him and we need both to grow in our Christian lives.
The more we seek God’s wisdom and knowledge, we can take what we have learned and add it to our list of weapons against Satan. The more we utilize these weapons and win battles against him, our strength increases, and our Spiritual character is strengthened.
I have never been good at memorizing Scripture, but I find the more I go over a passage, or hear it in a sermon, the better it becomes cemented into my Spirit. I find taking notes during the sermon also helps me to better retain it and it becomes a part of me. Then during those times when I need it, the Holy Spirit brings it to my mind, so that I can win over the enemy’s attacks.
Application of what we learn also helps us to gain Spiritual strength. It does us no good to know it in our head if it never gets into our soul. We can know it in our mind, but when we don’t allow it to become part of us and apply it in our lives, then it becomes useless.
Jesus expressed this in His parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 ESV) Notice that Jesus says that we not only must hear His words but do them. When we allow His instruction to sink deep inside of us, it becomes second nature to follow it, and then we gain wisdom, knowledge, and strength. Then, and only then, can we grow Spiritually.
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