Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.” —Joel 3:9-10 ESV
We are warriors commissioned for Christ’s cause. In His Kingdom, instruments of harvest become instruments of battle. Jesus planted seeds of salvation in each of us, which others within His body helped nurture and protect. Still others cleared the way for us to receive the truth. Likewise, just as a machete clears the landscape, all God’s warrior-harvesters should create a clear path and point others to His truth.
As harvesters in God’s field, we must use caution so as not to cause others to stumble. Jesus said, “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come” (Luke 17:1 NIV). We cannot go wrong when we point others to the truth of God’s Word.
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. For if you do these things, you will never stumble .—2 Peter 1:10 NLT & NIV
If we seek God and the sword of His truth—His Word—we won’t stumble. If we don’t stumble, we can keep others from stumbling too.
You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers by thrusting out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has promised.—Deuteronomy 6:18-19 ESV
As we do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, He will dispel the enemy from the land. Then we, His warriors, can enter in and reap a bountiful harvest of eternal life.
Who do you know that does not know the love of Jesus? Pray for him or her and ask God for direction on how to partner with His harvest in this person’s life.