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I believe every Christian knows that there’s a battle going on within and around each and every one of us.

How do we fight these battles? What is the greatest weapon we can use in any circumstance good or bad? When I asked myself this question, the first thing I thought of was prayer.

“Prayer” must be the most powerful tool any Christian has. As you read through the Bible and see all the things that prayer accomplished, and we think about the power of prayer in our own lives and what it has done, it must be prayer. Prayer can move mountains, change lives, heal the sick, raise the dead, part to sea, shut the mouth of Lions or quench the fire of a furnace. If it’s not prayer, what else? The next thing I thought of is the Bible.

The “Bible,” the Word of God, is called a sword. It is alive, sharper than any twoedged sword. The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts in the intent of the heart. The word of God is truth, it never changes, it is solid. In the book of John, Jesus, himself is called the Word, if the most powerful weapon is not prayer, it must be the Bible, the Word of God. Could it be faith?

Without “faith,” it is impossible to please God. By faith, so many battles have been won, so many prayers have been answered and so much understanding of the Word of God has been given by faith. The very fall of man began with doubting and not standing in faith of what God has really said. A man came to Jesus one day and said to him, Lord, if you can do anything, heal my son, and Jesus said to him if you can believe; all things are possible to him who believes. It must have the faith to stand on.

What else could it be? If it’s not prayer, the Bible, or faith, is it obedience?

The walls of Jericho fail by “obedience,” and blinded eyes are open by obedience, Paul preached Jesus. The Bible asks the question: does the Lord prefer sacrifice or obedience? The answer is obedience after all, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my Commandments.”

Could the greatest weapon be all of these working together prayer, the Bible, faith, obedience. Let’s look at this: What is the greatest thing God has ever given you, the greatest weapon, the greatest tool to be used by God for you? I believe it is “Love.”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” I John 3:1 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” Ephesians 2:4 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 What would any one of us be without the love of God? When I stop to think about all the things God‘s love for me has done in my life, I’m in awe.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 says if it’s not done in love, it is useless. Prayer is an amazing weapon for the Christian, but if it’s not done in love, it’s empty words. The Bible is an amazing weapon for the Christian, but it’s not understood and followed in love it’s just another book. Faith is a very powerful weapon, but if you have all the faith in the world, but you don’t have love, it’s useless, worthless. Obedience is good, but obedience to God without love is only us trying to work or do things only to receive things. Obedience without love is just leverage — it’s useless.

Christians, the greatest weapon we have is love, the love God has given us, the love we have for one another.

Jesus said this, “By this all will know you are My disciples by the love you have for one another.”

Donnie Spears is the pastor at Corinth Baptist Church near Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4165.