Every day the devil is knocking us down, trying to make us believe we aren’t worth it. So, every day we must pick up our swords.

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My friends and I enjoy sword fighting. I relish the jarring vibrations of the swords clashing together and the laughter that follows when we lose our footing. It’s a test of wits and strength and control. 

Even though our battles are mostly just for fun, it also serves as a great reminder.

Ephesians 6:17 says to take up the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to fight the unseen enemies who whisper lies to make us doubt God’s love and salvation for us. 

Did you notice that? 

Our enemy doesn’t have a sword, only false accusations. We have a weapon to defeat his lies.

And the devil knows that. To make sure you don’t pick up your sword, he’s going to bombard you with hurtful lies, anything that will get you to lay down your sword and give up. 

“You’re not loved; you’re a mistake; God doesn’t care about you.”

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I did not want to admit this to anyone, but I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts. After a hard situation at church, I was left crushed, broken, and wondering if it was my fault. Every time I stepped through the doors, I felt like a failure. I felt unloved and abandoned by God.

I stopped reading my Bible and cried every night. I was just… done. So done with this pain that I carried.

But then God showed me His Son on the cross, bleeding for my sins. 

I grew up with this planted in my heart. It wasn’t anything new. I asked God, “Why did you show me this?” and He pointed out that Jesus died for me, so I don’t have to. 

He paid the price to save me from the death that would have taken me away from Him. I quickly wrote that on a sticky note so I wouldn’t forget it. 

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Now when I feel that sense of hopelessness, I hear Him gently reminding me to pick up my sword. There’s a battle going on in my mind and I need to stand up and fight.

I can’t let the devil win.

Jesus, when He was tempted in the wilderness, spoke truth over Satan’s lies using God’s Word. We can do this too. The Bible is our sword.

“You’re not loved” vs. John 3:16. Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice Himself on the cross to be with us.

“You’re a mistake” vs. Psalm 139:13-16. God created you perfectly. He knew you before you were born.

“God doesn’t care about you” vs. Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28. He is there to help you and to give you rest when you’re exhausted.

I know. Life is hard. But keep going. Pick up your sword and fight.