The Philly Mentality.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:16-17 NIV.

People in Philadelphia are a different breed. We can get riled up. The city of Brotherly Shove is the only place they threw snowballs at Santa. Then don’t be a losing local sports team. I still struggle today with the Philly mentality.

We read about the validity of the Word in Hebrews. The enemy wants us to misunderstand it. This powerful weapon destroys strongholds. Jesus is the spirit of prophecy and the Word.

Two Greek words refer to this. They are Logos and Rhema. Logos is the Word. For example, someone may own a Bible. They may even read it sometimes. That Bible is the Logos. But in the above verse, that word is Rhema. The Word annihilates the devil’s strategies.

Someone attacks us or someone we love. I find myself saying watch out while I go Philadelphia! Then His Word comes to our hearts. His sword quenches the Philly in me. The mild style of Jesus chills me.

We may have His Word on our bookshelves. We could carry it around to show our religiosity. But how do we apply His Word in us to our lives? His Word can change the hardest of hearts. Even those who ride the El, frequent the shore, and love wiz on their cheesesteaks.

Let us never forget the power of Your Word, Lord. Remind us it is our sword of Your mighty Spirit. Cut out the areas of our lives that need changing. Change our mindsets and attitudes. In Jesus’ name, amen.