No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER

Isa. 54:17

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR:

1. A young couple, very much in love, were getting married in a church. However, Sue, the bride, was very nervous. So the Pastor decided to include the verse, 1 John 4:18 to calm her down, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear.”

2. However, when the time of the wedding came, the Pastor got Covid and asked the assistant pastor to do it. Unfortunately, the assistant pastor didn’t know the Bible as well and didn’t know the difference between First John and the Gospel of John.

3. So at the beginning of the wedding, he stressed that the Pastor had said this verse specially applied to the bride, Sue. He read John 4:18, which says, “You have had five husbands and the one that you now have is not your husband!”

B. ORIGIN OF MESSAGE

1. The other day I woke up depressed; a difficulty in my life had me down. All I could think about was my problem. Suddenly my phone dinged with a text. “Who could be writing at this early hour,” I thought.

2. It was from one of our prayer warriors who said, “I was just praying, and the Lord told me to send you this message from Him.” It was this scripture:

C. TEXT & TITLE

1. “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall arise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me," declares the LORD.

2. So that’s the title of this morning’s message; “No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper!”

I. THE BLACKSMITH & HIS WEAPONS

A. WE HAVE A DETERMINED ENEMY WHO IS OUT TO DESTROY US

1. First, Isa. 54:17 tells us there’s a real enemy who’s seeking to destroy us. That’s why we can’t be lackadaisical, or get too comfortable. When you're in a war zone, you can’t forget there's an enemy who wants to take you out.

2. Can you imagine a soldier in a battle, putting his gun down and idly standing there trimming his fingernails? No! He’d be a dead soldier!

B. THAT HE HAS FORGED WEAPONS AGAINST YOU

1. Next, this verse tells us that the weapons that our enemy forms are uniquely crafted for each one of us. Our weaknesses are studied; our vulnerabilities are observed. Which people, around us, can fail us? What situations can shake our faith?

2. The enemy’s tactics are designed to cause us maximum spiritual confusion and damage.

3. Haman plotted not only to destroy Mordecai, but all the Jews. Haman imagined Mordecai swinging from a lofty gallows. But there’s a God in the courts of heaven and an Esther in the Palace of Shushan. Instead of Mordecai hanging on the gallows, it was Haman!

C. THESE WEAPONS ARE UNEXPECTED

1. In addition, the devil uses things you wouldn't expect -- to hinder you, and throw you off track.

2. Examples:

a. Your Past b. An Addiction

c. Sickness d. Loss of family member

e. Depression f. Series of catastrophes

g. A Job mishap h. Car troubles

3. MANY OF US HAVE STRONGHOLDS:

a. Satan uses our KIDS;

b. He causes FINANCIAL STRESS;

c. Or chronic HEALTH PROBLEMS;

d. MARITAL PROBLEMS;

e. LONELINESS or DEPRESSION.

f. Some of you battle TEMPTATIONS: pornography, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, cursing, unforgiveness, bad thoughts, sex outside marriage, etc.

4. If the enemy can’t stop you, he wants to make you ineffective and unproductive for the kingdom. But you don't have to allow that; "No weapon formed against you shall prosper!

II. ISA. 54:17 SAYS “TONGUE” “ACCUSATIONS”

A. CRITICISM IS A MAIN WEAPON

1. Why are weapons aimed at me? Because 1). you can’t be a servant of God without becoming an enemy of the devil; 2). You’re in a war zone between heaven & hell; 3). What appears to be bad, right now, may ultimately turn out to be for our or someone else’s good, Rom. 8:28.

2. THE POWER OF CRITICISM. The accusations the devil throws at us are his attempt to separate us from God through guilt, shame, or despair. We have a choice: either to run away from God or to face God, acknowledge our sin, and be forgiven & set free.

3. Rev. 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb & the word of their testimony!” The Blood of Jesus & our faith in God, despite what we see, overcome the road-blocks of the enemy.

B. RESPONDING TO CRITICISM

1. Nobody likes being judged or criticized. How do we usually respond to criticism? Many people defend themselves, get mad, or say equally bad things.

2. The Bible says that when Jesus was insulted, he didn't offer insult in return. When he was abused, he didn't abuse in return. He trusted that God would take up for Him. The best way to respond to critics is to act like Jesus!