Sharpened Tools 

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:13-18

“This knife will barely cut butter!” complained Mom as she struggled to cut slices of roast beef. “Our lunch is going to look like I ripped it apart with my teeth!”

Dad laughed. “I’ll take it down to my workshop and sharpen it later.”

After lunch, Rachel approached her father. “Dad, I’m stuck on this math problem. Can you help me?” She held out her paper and pencil.

“I’ll try,” said Dad, but he soon handed the pencil back to her. “Do you have a pencil sharpener?” he asked. “This point is so worn down, I can’t write at all with it.” Rachel quickly sharpened the pencil.

For family devotions that evening, Dad read a few verses from Ephesians. “The dull tools we’ve had around here today made me think of the sword that never needs sharpening—the Bible, which is the Word of God,” he said. “Our knives and pencils get dull and need to be sharpened pretty often, but God’s Word is always sharp and powerful. Of course, we need to use that sword. Who knows how we do that?”

“Um…by reading it and applying it to our lives?” suggested Ivan.

“Or by going to church and learning more about what it says?” asked Rachel.

“Yes,” said Dad. “God often speaks to us as we read and study His Word. Sometimes it convicts us of sin and inflicts pain. It may feel to us like it’s even sharper than a sword.”

“Yes, but it’s really a good kind of pain,” said Mom. “Sort of like pain we feel when we exercise our muscles. It’s good for us.”

“And it always tells us how to deal with sin in our lives,” said Dad. “We need to confess it to Jesus, who freed us from sin’s power so we can do what’s right.”

“People used to fight battles with swords, so I guess we use the Bible when we fight against sin,” said Ivan.

“And against lies Satan wants us to believe—like that God doesn’t love us or that He won’t forgive us for the bad things we do,” Rachel added.

“Right,” Dad said. “Any other ideas?”

“It isn’t always painful,” said Mom. “I’m comforted and encouraged when I remember God’s many promises.”

Dad nodded. “Let’s all be sure to use our swords every day.” • Raelene E. Phillips

How About You?

Are you using your sword—your Bible? Read it and think about what God is saying to you. Is He showing you a sin in your life you need to ask forgiveness for? Is He reminding you to trust Him through a difficult situation? Is He assuring you that He will always love you? His Word is sharp and powerful—listen to what it says and take it to heart.

Today’s Key Verse:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Use your sword—the Bible