Forewarned

 

It is a Latin proverb, “Forewarned is forearmed.” It is a simple concept; if we know something ahead of time, we can prepare for it.

Many Christians seem to think like Governor Felix from Acts 24. He listened to Paul, interested to know what he had to say, until he heard it. Verse 25 says, “Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

We have Bibles on our shelves, churches on every corner, and easy access to the internet loaded with theological teaching (recognizing this doesn’t mean what you read there is sound doctrine). The point is that we have plenty of access to the Word of God.

Like Felix, we hear something that scares us and we send it away, put it away, or refuse to return to the place where we hear the Truth, thinking that then we don’t have to deal with it.

The truth is that written scriptures or God’s Word preached from the pulpit is our “forewarning.” When we know the truth we can respond to it and live “forearmed.” If. We. Choose.

Knowing that with  Christianity comes troubles, we can prepare ourselves to stand firmly in our faith when they present themselves (Ephesians 6:13). We are not immune from loss, cultural rejection, heartache, prodigal children, illness, financial disaster, or tragedy. When we are equipped with the Word of God we know that God will work these things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

There is never a promise that says our godly actions won’t have worldly consequences. Because we speak the truth doesn’t mean anyone will want to hear it (like Felix). We will face rejection and ridicule in our culture today. We see it in the fight against child sacrifice in abortion and our desire to protect people from the perversions of the LGBTQ movement.

To expect these responses is to be able to be prepared for them. We can get our minds filled with the Word of God so we have something to fight with, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). We can surround ourselves with like-minded Christians who will play the role of “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17), helping us to stand firmly on the Word of God and our faith.

Deuteronomy 11 reminds us that if we keep God’s commands, we will be blessed. If we do not keep His commands, we will be cursed. Breaking His commands is serious sin to the Lord. If we fail to be forewarned because we refuse to listen to His Word taught, or learn it for ourselves in study, we will not know how to obey.

For the Christian,  this promise is given  in John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Do we choose to know enough of scripture to recognize the words of the Holy Spirit were He to direct us in some way? He will forewarn us so we can be forearmed. The “Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God” is our greatest weapon for any earthly battle. Is it embedded in our minds where the Spirit can point us to it when we need it?