How To Stay Rooted In The Truth Of Scripture: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
Introduction: The Importance of Staying Rooted in Truth
In the modern world, where truth is often subjective and constantly shifting, staying grounded in the unchanging truth of Scripture is more crucial than ever, especially for Messianic Jewish believers. As the enemy intensifies his attack against the faith of God's people, the importance of a strong foundation in the Word of God cannot be overstated. The Scriptures, both from the Torah and the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures), serve as our guide, our shield, and our weapon in the fight against deception and spiritual attack.
Being rooted in the truth of Scripture requires more than just intellectual understanding. It involves living out God's Word daily, letting it shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. This chapter will explore how to stay rooted in the truth of Scripture, drawing on the wisdom of the Torah, the blood of Yeshua, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. We will also see how the ancient words of the Tanakh remain vital for us today.
Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Believers In Yeshua
1. The Role of Torah in Rooting Us in Truth
The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, is the foundation upon which all of Scripture stands. As Messianic believers, we understand that the Torah is not just a historical document or a collection of laws; it is the living Word of God, still relevant and vital for our lives today. Yeshua, in His ministry, affirmed the importance of the Torah, emphasizing that it remains the standard for God's will on earth (Matthew 5:17-19).
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, known as the Shema, gives us a clear instruction on how to keep God’s Word central in our lives:
> "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
This passage highlights the centrality of God's commandments in the life of every believer. To stay rooted in the truth, we must immerse ourselves in the Torah. It is not enough to merely read it; we are called to live it out in every area of our lives. By doing so, we allow God's Word to permeate our hearts and minds, shaping our thoughts and actions.
The Torah is also our defense against the lies of the enemy. In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist declares:
> "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11)
When we internalize God’s Word, it becomes a powerful weapon to resist temptation and falsehood. This practice is essential for standing firm in the truth, especially when we face spiritual warfare.
2. The Blood of Yeshua: Our Victory Over Deception
As Messianic believers, we understand that the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) is central to our salvation and victory in spiritual warfare. Yeshua’s sacrificial death on the cross broke the power of sin and death and established the New Covenant—a covenant based on grace, truth, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
The blood of Yeshua is not only our means of forgiveness but also a spiritual weapon. Revelation 12:11 says:
> "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11)
Though this verse is part of the New Testament, it echoes the timeless truth that the blood of Yeshua is a key weapon in overcoming the enemy. In the spiritual battle for truth, the blood of Yeshua grants us the victory. It cleanses us from sin and empowers us to stand firm in God’s promises. We are reminded that through His blood, Yeshua disarmed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15) and made a public spectacle of them.
When we claim the blood of Yeshua in our lives, we acknowledge His victory over sin and the enemy. We affirm that the truth of His sacrifice is the foundation of our faith, and it strengthens our resolve to remain anchored in the truth of Scripture. Every time we declare the power of His blood, we remind ourselves that we have been set free from the lies and deceptions that seek to ensnare us.
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Leading Us to Truth
The Holy Spirit is an essential guide in our walk with God, empowering us to stay rooted in the truth of Scripture. Yeshua promised that the Holy Spirit would come to teach us all things and to remind us of everything He had said (John 14:26). The Spirit’s role is to illuminate the Scriptures, helping us understand and apply God’s Word in our lives.
In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God promises to give His people a new heart and put His Spirit within them:
> "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to walk in God’s commandments and stay faithful to His Word. The Spirit empowers us to live out the truth of Scripture and equips us to resist the spiritual forces that seek to lead us astray.
The Holy Spirit also helps us discern truth from error. In 1 John 2:20, it says:
> "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth." (1 John 2:20)
This anointing is the Holy Spirit, who teaches us to recognize false teachings and to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word. The Spirit gives us spiritual discernment, enabling us to distinguish between the voice of truth and the voice of deception.
4. Staying Rooted in Scripture in the Face of Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is a constant reality for believers. The enemy seeks to deceive, distract, and distort the truth, attempting to pull us away from God’s Word. Yet, the Scriptures give us powerful guidance on how to remain rooted in the truth, even in the midst of spiritual battles.
Psalm 1:1-3 gives us a picture of the believer who is firmly rooted in the truth of God's Word:
> "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3)
This passage illustrates the importance of staying rooted in God’s Word. When we meditate on the Scriptures day and night, we are like a tree planted by water—steadfast, fruitful, and resilient in the face of challenges. In contrast, those who neglect the truth of Scripture are like chaff blown away by the wind, vulnerable to deception and spiritual defeat.
In addition, James 4:7-8 instructs us to resist the devil and draw near to God:
> "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you." (James 4:7-8)
By submitting ourselves to God and His Word, we resist the enemy’s attacks. We must stay close to God, immersing ourselves in His truth, and the enemy will flee.
5. Practical Steps to Stay Rooted in Scripture
To stay rooted in the truth of Scripture, Messianic believers must take practical steps to consistently engage with God’s Word. Here are a few strategies:
1. Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation – Make it a priority to read and meditate on God’s Word each day. This could involve reading from the Torah, the Psalms, or other parts of the Tanakh, as well as reflecting on the teachings of Yeshua.
2. Memorization of Scripture – Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is one of the best ways to stay rooted in truth. By memorizing key verses, we have the truth available to us at all times.
3. Community Engagement – Stay connected to a community of believers who uphold the truth of Scripture. Being in fellowship with others helps keep us accountable and grounded in the Word.
4. Prayer for the Spirit’s Guidance – Regularly pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding the Scriptures and to give you discernment to recognize the truth.
Conclusion: The Unshakeable Foundation of God’s Word
In a world filled with deception and spiritual warfare, the truth of God’s Word is our unshakable foundation. By staying rooted in the Torah, applying the power of Yeshua’s blood, relying on the Holy Spirit, and continually immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, we can resist the enemy’s lies and stand firm in the truth. As we do so, we become like trees planted by streams of water—
