Who is on the side of the truth of Christ and who is not can be determined by the weapons they utilize. Words are the weapons of both sides. Jesus told Pilate that the reason he was born, the reason he came into the world, was to testify to the truth. (John 18:37) Jesus’ double-edged sword is the word coming from his sharp tongue. (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16, 2:12, 16, 19:15, 21) The weapons of this world (Satan and his followers) are lies (often sprinkled with truth), deception, gossip, quarreling, satire, sarcasm, and cruel words. (12:20; Proverbs 16:28, 19:22, 20:19; John 8:44; 2 John 1:7)
The motivation that compels one to speak determines what is said. How words are said may not be as determinate as what is being said, for lies can be stated with a soft, sweet tongue and the truth can be shouted from the wilderness (Matthew 3:1, 7-12; Luke 3:7-9, 18-19).
The motivation of those representing the truth of Christ is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). The motivation of those not on the side of truth is “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
Though the people of the truth live in the world, meaning interacting with others, we do not wage war as the world does. (3) Jesus commands me to interact with the world as his ambassador, witnessing to the truth. So examine myself. How do I engage with the world? What are my motives? I have been given divine power to demolish strongholds through the word of God. (4b) Is my heart and mind engaged properly in battles?
