Posted on Monday, May 22, 2023

The Lie of A.I.

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

by MaryAnn

WINNING WITH THE WORD

“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

An invitation for you:

To subscribe to this blog, click here.
To subscribe to this podcast, click here.

If this blog and podcast have blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

______________________________________

Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

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Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, May 22, 2023, and this is Episode #21 of Series 2023. This episode is titled “The Lie of A.I.”

The topic of Artificial Intelligence, aka AI, has headlined the news lately and has raised a lot of serious questions. What is AI and how is it fulfilling Bible prophecy? Yes, in case you have any doubts, it is fulfilling Bible prophecy.

According to Britannica.com, AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.”

Generally speaking, psychology characterizes human intelligence as the combination of many abilities, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and the ability to speak and use language. AI seeks to imitate these abilities and even to surpass them. In fact, trans-humanists are using AI to create—or to attempt to create—a species of superhuman whom they call Homo Sapiens, Version 2.0.

AI is permeating every aspect of our lives and is closely linked to Bible prophecy.

How so?

Well-known Bible teacher and prophecy expert, Pastor Billy Crone, describes AI as follows: “AI is in the process of taking over every aspect of society. Self-driving cars, robotic surgery, lightning-fast communication, … it all sounds so good. But the Bible tells us how these seemingly helpful benefits to society will be used to usher in the dark agenda of the Antichrist in the future.”

AI has already made extensive inroads into such areas as health, education, transportation, the economy, and the military. For example, doctors are doing surgery using robots run by Artificial Intelligence. The military is using AI in its operations both at home and abroad. Consider Project Maven, the Pentagon’s flagship Artificial Intelligence effort that has been used to conduct military operations in all branches of the service. Through the use of unmanned drones, military robots, and equipment such as exploding dragonflies, the way the military conducts warfare has drastically changed.

AI is being called “the new electricity”. Just as the invention of electricity transformed society and the way we lived at that time, so is AI transforming society and the way we live now. AI has already infiltrated homes, businesses, cities, shopping, education, even law enforcement through the concept of “predictive policing”.

So, what’s the problem, you may ask? AI is doing a lot of good things. For one thing, it’s making our lives easier. And who doesn’t want that? It’s doing things for us so that we don’t have to do them for ourselves.

While all this sounds good, there is great danger inherent in AI.

The danger in AI is that it is catering to a selfish, pleasure-loving society that wants convenience at all costs. A society that loves pleasure more than God. A society that wants to be served and not to serve.

AI will take over everything for you. It will manage your life for you. AI will give you a self-driving car so that you can sit back, texting to your heart’s content. AI will vacuum your house through a robot vacuum cleaner. It will do your grocery-shopping for you and even deliver your food to your house.

AI will even rid you of your job. Now, how’s that for convenience? The job you do today may be done by a robot tomorrow. But, wait a minute? How will you earn a living?

Not so good.

AI will provide a means of controlling everything in every aspect of life. AI will control the world through global surveillance techniques that will track your every move. AI will control transportation through driverless vehicles. In case you were not aware, we already have driverless cars and trucks on our highways. Once the global digital currency system is in place, AI will have total control over your money. Those who try to beat the system will be severely punished, possibly even imprisoned and put to death.

The AntiChrist will eventually use AI to control the entire planet during the soon-to-come, seven-year Tribulation. At the push of a button, he will be able to force every person on earth to comply with his demands. If they do not, they will be killed.

I call AI the “Frankenstein of the 21st Century.” Man has created a monster that will eventually result in his destruction. At the root of AI is a desire to be like God. Indeed, to be God. Where did we hear that before?

Satan keeps repeating the same old lie. He uses the same trick with us that he used with Adam and Eve. And many are still falling for it.

Don’t you be one of them. Learn the truth about AI. Learn the truth about what is soon to come upon the earth. Learn the truth about Heaven and Hell and how to be saved, not only from the evil clutches of AI but also from eternal damnation and separation from God in Hell.

How?

By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. He will lead you into all truth, not only about AI but also about His purpose for your life.

Pray this simple prayer with me now:

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I repent of my sin and ask You to forgive me and to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I invite You into my life now to be my Savior and my Lord. Thank You for saving me. Make of me the person You created me to be. Amen.

If you have acknowledged that you are a sinner, if you have repented of sinning against the Most High God, and if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you are now a born-again child of God. Welcome to the Family! Write to me at info@maryanndiorio.com and request my free e-booklet titled After You’re Born Again. It will help you get started in your exciting life journey with Jesus.

My featured book for this month,—for both men and women—,The Captain and Mrs. Vye, is my latest novel and is the story of a 19th-century, middled-aged widow who discovers that her late husband has left her destitute. You can purchase the book at the links below.

Also, I invite you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table for a wonderful selection of books–both fiction and nonfiction–to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

You can also keep updated on new releases in my writing ministry by subscribing to my monthly author newsletter at the link below.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER

Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!

Sources cited:
__”Artificial Intelligence”
https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence

__”The A.I. Invasion” by Billy Crone
https://prophecywatchers.com/videos/billy-crone-the-a-i-invasion/

__________________________________________________________________
Featured Book of the Week:

A middle-aged, 19th-century widow discovers that her late husband has left her destitute.

PRINT:

EBOOK:

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Copyright 2000-2023 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at info@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.

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Posted on Monday, May 15, 2023

Have You Lost All Hope?

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

by MaryAnn

WINNING WITH THE WORD

“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

An invitation for you:

To subscribe to this blog, click here.
To subscribe to this podcast, click here.

If this blog and podcast have blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

______________________________________

Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

________________________________________

Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, May 15, 2023, and this is Episode #20 of Series 2023. This episode is titled “Have You Lost All Hope?”

Many people are answering that question in the affirmative today. They look around them and see things getting worse: rising inflation, increasing job lay-offs, collapsing economy, expanding violence, frightening loss of freedom, clueless leaders, etc., etc., etc. It’s enough to make one wonder where is it all going to end?

Yet, despite all these depressing scenarios, we can have hope in the midst of the storm. Why? Because we Christ-followers know where it’s going to end, and the end for us is glorious!

But meanwhile, how do we contend with the world in which we still live?

Here are a few proven tips taken straight from the Bible:

1. Think on pleasant things.
Philippians 4: 4-8 says this: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

What we choose to think about will affect the way we feel. Feelings are the results of thoughts. And if we continually think bad thoughts, we will end up with bad feelings.

Our actions follow our feelings. So if we live with continual negative feelings, we will express those negative feelings in negative actions, like murmuring, complaining, criticizing, impatience, and so on.

So make it a habit to think good thoughts, thoughts that align with hope, joy, and peace. Thoughts that align with the Holy Word of God. You will be a lot happier. You will also be able to encourage others when they need encouragement.

2. Keep your eyes on heavenly things, not earthly things.
Colossians 3: 2 says this: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

There are so many demands on our daily lives that it is difficult to keep our eyes on things other than this life. Yet, doing so is the key to having hope. This world is not our permanent home. We are simply passing through. Should we not, therefore, be focusing on preparing for our permanent home instead of living as though we will be here forever?

But, how do we keep our eyes on heavenly things?

It is a matter of putting God first. Jesus said this in Matthew 6: 33 NLT: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Jesus is telling us that if we focus on God first, God will take care of everything we need. It’s that simple.

How do we focus on God first? Here are a few tips:

1. Start your day with God. Read and study a Bible passage. Pray. Listen to His instructions for you for that day.
2. Talk with God throughout the day. Ask His advice. Tell Him your concerns.
3. Thank Him for His many blessings. Develop a grateful heart.

Now we move on to the third way to contend with our current world, and that is to . . .

3. Trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 3: 5 says this: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Too often we tend to try to figure things out on our own without consulting God first. This will always end in disaster. Our minds are limited. Therefore, our judgment is limited. We do not see the whole picture as God does. So trusting in Him means to seek His advice before taking action, before making a decision, before heading down a certain path. When we trust God, we can make every decision the right decision.

I believe there was a reason that Jesus commanded us to look up when we see all these frightening things happening around us. The reason is that He knew we would get depressed if we looked around.

So keep looking up for the return of our Lord and Savior. And while you’re looking up, think on pleasant things, keep your eyes on heavenly things, and trust in the Lord.

I cannot end this message without asking you if you have been born again. To be born again means to repent of your sin and to receive Jesus Christ as the only One Who can save you from your sin. So, if you have not yet received Jesus, pray with me now:

Also, you I invite you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table for a wonderful selection of books–both fiction and nonfiction–to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

You can also keep updated on new releases in my writing ministry by subscribing to my monthly author newsletter at the link below.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER

Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!

__________________________________________________________________
Featured Book of the Week:

A middle-aged, 19th-century widow discovers that her late husband has left her destitute.

PRINT:

EBOOK:

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Posted on Monday, May 8, 2023

America: Land of Compliant Cowards?

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

by MaryAnn

WINNING WITH THE WORD

“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

An invitation for you:

To subscribe to this blog, click here.
To subscribe to this podcast, click here.

If this blog and podcast have blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

______________________________________

Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

________________________________________

Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, May 8, 2023, and this is Episode #19 of Series 2023. This episode is titled “America: The Land of Compliant Cowards?”

Eighteenth-century Anglo-Irish statesman, economist, and philosopher, Edmund Burke, is purportedly to have said that “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Whether Burke actually said this or not, the truth of the statement remains. Evil flourishes when good men do nothing to stop it.

Such is the condition of our country today. And of most countries in the world. We have a global situation in which very few of the good people remaining are doing anything to stop the evil. Why is this?

I believe there are several reasons, among which are the following:

1) An erroneous belief that we are so far gone that no protest will matter because we can’t stop the decline.
2) A weariness at trying over and over to push back the tide of evil, but without seeing any results.
3) A despair that one person can still make a difference.

But one person can still make a difference! Even if there is no turning back of evil, there is still the turning back of one individual person at a time from evil to good.

There are still people out there who are truly searching for truth. But they don’t know where to find it.
That is where you and I who are Christ-Followers come in. We must go out into the harvest fields and reap the harvest.

The Bible says in Luke 10: 2 that “the harvest is great but the laborers are few.” Will you be one of those laborers?

You might ask how have we come to this? Well, I have an opinion, and it has to do with the men of America. I believe that we have a shortage of men in America. I’m not talking about numbers; I’m talking about character.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post titled “Are You Suffering from a Father Wound?”. A father wound represents the hurt inflicted on a child by the man who sired him or her. The response to that post was stunning. It told me that the number of people suffering from a father wound is astronomical.

So, what does this mean?

It has long been my contention, based on my observations and experience as a Certified Life Coach and a Certified Biblical Counselor, that America has millions of males but very few men.

You might be asking, “What’s the difference?”

Here, in my humble opinion, is the difference between men and males. And it is huge.

1__A male is out for his own gratification, usually in the areas of sexual lust, greed, and power. A male thinks only of meeting his own needs and doesn’t care for the effect of his actions on others. A male will bail out on his responsibilities to the women he has used, or the wife he has married, and the children he has sired. And he will bail out without compunction and without looking back. A male will not stand up for what is right but will pursue the path of least resistance. The path that aligns with his own selfish motives.

2__A man, on the other hand, puts aside his own needs for the needs of those he loves. A man will not use a woman—or any other person—for his own sexual gratification, nor for greed or power. A man will humble himself under the authority of God and obey His commandments with the utmost reverence and respect. A man will assume the responsibility of providing for, protecting, and caring for his wife and children–physically, financially, and, especially, spiritually. He will teach His children to obey the Word of God.

So, based on these criteria, I don’t see too many men in America.

It has been said that the family is the foundation of society. I would like to go one step farther and posit that the man is the foundation of the family. God created the man first, from the dust of the earth. God created the woman out of man, not out of the dust of the earth. The man is the ground on which the family is built. If the man does not provide a strong foundation, the marriage and the family–and, by extension, society—will crumble.

And this is precisely what we are seeing today. The collapse of a nation. A nation that was once great because it was led by men and not males.

Oftentimes, women are blamed for the collapse of a society. But women step in only where men step out. The feminist movement is proof that men have stepped out of their family leadership roles, leaving the women to assume them. And why have women assumed those family leadership roles? Because women fiercely love their children and will do whatever it takes to protect them.

So, I call on you, America. Are there any men left in your midst? If so, I challenge you to step up to the plate and take your rightful place as Godly defender, protector, provider, husband, and father of your family. Stop being a male and become a man!

How?

It all starts with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you don’t have one, start one now by praying this simple prayer with me:

Lord Jesus, I repent of being a male and not a man. I admit that I have sinned in fulfilling the role for which You have created me. I repent of my sin and ask You to forgive me and to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I invite You now into my life to be my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Make of me the man that You created me to be. Amen.

My featured book for this month,—for both men and women—The Captain and Mrs. Vye, is my latest novel and is the story of a 19th-century, middled-aged widow who discovers that her late husband has left her destitute. You can purchase the book at the links below.

Also, you I invite you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table for a wonderful selection of books–both fiction and nonfiction–to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

You can also keep updated on new releases in my writing ministry by subscribing to my monthly author newsletter at the link below.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER

Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!

__________________________________________________________________
Featured Book of the Week:

A middle-aged, 19th-century widow discovers that her late husband has left her destitute.

PRINT:

EBOOK:

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Posted on Monday, May 1, 2023

Are You Guilty of Normalcy Bias?

by Dr. MaryAnnDiorio

by MaryAnn

WINNING WITH THE WORD

“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

An invitation for you:

To subscribe to this blog, click here.
To subscribe to this podcast, click here.

If this blog and podcast have blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

______________________________________

Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

________________________________________

Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, May 1, 2023, and this is Episode #18 of Series 2023. This episode is titled “Are You Guilty of Normalcy Bias?”

If you haven’t yet heard the term “normalcy bias”, you are hearing it now.

So, what is normalcy bias?

Normalcy bias is the human tendency to underestimate the seriousness of a situation. It is the tendency to minimize danger and crisis and to pretend that they cannot happen. Normalcy bias is a dangerous form of denial that could lead to suffering and even death. How? Well, when we refuse to take heed to warnings, and when we insist that nothing bad is going to happen despite warnings to the contrary, we place ourselves in serious risk of getting hurt.

Let me give you an example. Suppose a tornado warning is issued in your area, and you are urged to take cover. If you are in normalcy bias, you’ll say, “Oh, it’s just another storm,” and you won’t take cover. You’ll falsely believe that you are in no danger. And you may be deadly wrong. Literally!

Another serious form of normalcy bias is the common belief today that our country is going to return to normal. I hate to tell you, my friend, but our country will never return to normal. It will never return to the way it was before the pandemic. In fact, things will only get worse.

You might be thinking, “How do you know, Dr. MaryAnn? What are you, some kind of a doomsday prophet?”

No, my friend. I am not a doomsday prophet. I am a serious, long-time student of the Bible, and I am simply telling you what the Bible predicted about the times in which we live. You see, when I tell you that things will get worse instead of better, I am getting my information from the most reliable source possible: God Himself. God Himself recorded this information in the Bible so that we could read it and know what lies ahead.

But, the sad thing is that few people today read the Bible. Few people care enough to know the truth about what is really going on. Most people want to deny the truth and pretend that everything will be okay again.

But, it won’t!

Why not? Because God Himself said it won’t. Not, at least, until He returns at the end of the seven-year Tribulation, in the event known as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, to judge the world and to set up His millennial Kingdom on earth.

Meanwhile, the world is now entering into the period described in the Bible as the Tribulation–a seven-year period of horrific suffering under the rule of the most vicious dictator in all of human history called the AntiChrist. The AntiChrist will be possessed by Satan and will be his embodiment in the earth.

Under the dictatorship of the AntiChrist, you will own nothing and be happy. You will be surveilled wherever you go. In fact, you will be told where you can go and where you can’t go. Where you can live and where you can’t live. What you can eat and what you can’t eat. What you can buy and what you cannot buy. Every facet of your life will be under the control of the AntiChrist and his one-world government.

Already we are seeing signs of his coming dictatorship. What signs? Here are a few of the most salient:

1. The development of technological tracking systems via our cell phones, traffic lights, surveillance cameras everywhere we turn, voice and iris recognition technology, pay-by-palm technology, and AI-based surveillance methods. All of these systems are preparing the way for the one-world government’s global tracking system of every human being on the planet.

2. The establishment of a one-world economic system through the implementation of digital currency. If you’ve been following the news, you know that our president is planning to introduce a trackable digital currency system as early as July of this year, if not before. He and the Federal Reserve have already started to lay the groundwork for this digital currency system that would eliminate the dollar and money transactions as we know them and put them under the complete control of a world government.

3. The establishment of a one-world religion. Again, if you follow the news, you’ve heard of the one-world religious center, called the Abrahamic Family House, that recently opened in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. It features three buildings–a synagogue, a mosque, and a supposed Christian church–grouped together on a single piece of land. The three buildings represent the formation of a one-world religion where the heresy is taught that all ways lead to God.

4. The establishment of a one-world government whereby there will be one world leader and all nations of the world will be united under that leader. Already, many are promoting the need for a one-world leader to handle the problems of the world. Nationalism is decried, resulting in open borders, drug cartels, and gun control, with all of the problems resulting from such idiocy.

Even now, world leaders are jockeying into place for this position of world leader who will, eventually, become the AntiChrist. Speculation abounds, with France’s Emmanuel Macron, England’s King Charles, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi-Jinping and even Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu in the running. But only God knows who the AntiChrist will be.

If you say all this can’t happen, you are living in normalcy bias, and you are sadly mistaken. It is already happening. In fact, almost 2000 years ago, the Bible predicted it would happen in the last days. Listen to what the Apostle John wrote around the year 95 A.D. in the Book of Revelation, chapter 13, verses 16-18, regarding the digital currency system:

“He [the AntiChrist] required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” (Brackets mine).

So far, not a single Bible prediction has failed to come true at its appointed time to come true. There are a few more Bible prophecies that remain and have yet to come true. But they will come true as surely as every previous Bible prophecy has come true.

So, don’t be deceived! Don’t keep your head in the sand. Don’t live in normalcy bias. Lift up your head and look around you. The time for Jesus Christ’s return is imminent. Repent of your sin now! Receive Him now as your Savior so that you will escape the horror of the Tribulation and spend eternity with Him.

Let’s pray together now:

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I want to escape the wrath to come. I choose to repent of my sin and to ask You to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I invite You now into my life to be my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Make of me what You created me to be. Amen.

My featured book for this month, The Captain and Mrs. Vye, is my latest novel and is the story of a
19th-century, middled-aged widow who discovers that her late husband has left her destitute. You can purchase the book at the links below.

Also, you I invite you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table for a wonderful selection of books–both fiction and nonfiction–to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

You can also keep updated on new releases in my writing ministry by subscribing to my monthly author newsletter at the link below.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER

Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!

Source consulted:

“Biden administration is quietly planning for a future where you don’t own money” – Op-ed piece by Justin Haskins of FOX News.

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/biden-administration-quietly-planning-future-where-you-dont-own-money

__________________________________________________________________
Featured Book of the Week:

A middle-aged, 19th-century widow discovers that her late husband has left her destitute.

PRINT:

EBOOK:

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Posted on Monday, April 24, 2023

Are You Wielding Your Two-Edged Sword?

by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

by MaryAnn

WINNING WITH THE WORD

“Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

An invitation for you:

To subscribe to this blog, click here.
To subscribe to this podcast, click here.

If this blog and podcast have blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

______________________________________

Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

_________________________________________

Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, April 24, 2023, and this is Episode #17 of Series 2023. This episode is titled “Are You Wielding Your Two-Edged Sword?”

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous references to a weapon called a two-edged sword. This is a spiritual weapon that God has provided for every Christ-follower, and it is used to fight off Satan and his demons as we engage in spiritual warfare against them. But few of us know how to use this weapon. So, today, we are going to explore what the two-edged sword is and how we can wield it effectively.

First of all, what is a two-edged sword?

The term two-edged comes from two Greek words: di, which means two, and stomos, which means mouth. In Greek, the two words put together make the word distomos, which means two mouths. Thus, when these two words are merged into one (distomos), they describe something that is two-mouthed, or has two mouths. Would you agree, however, that this meaning seems a little strange?

So, why would the Bible refer to the Word of God repeatedly as a “two-edged sword” or, literally, a “two-mouthed sword”, a sword having two mouths? What do two mouths have to do with the two edges of a sword?

Let’s look more closely.

One verse in the Bible, Hebrews 4: 12, uses the expression two-edged sword to describe the Word of God. The verse says this: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.…” Hebrews 4: 12

Very interesting, no? if we apply our definition of two-edged as having two mouths, we come up with a sword with two mouths. Well, what could that mean?

In the Book of Revelation 1: 16, the Word of God says this in describing Jesus: “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword….” Notice: the two-edged sword was not in Jesus’ hand but in His mouth. Why?

The message being conveyed in this image is that the two-edged sword represents the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 calls God’s Word the “sword of the Spirit.” It is the sword of truth that we are to use to drive the lies of Satan out of our lives.

Indeed, Jesus Himself is the Word of God. And out of His mouth comes forth a two-edged sword, which represents His Word. It is this Word coming out of God’s mouth that has power to destroy the lies of Satan with its sharp and powerful truth. God’s Word that came forth from God’s mouth and that is now recorded for us in the Bible is one side or one edge of the two-edged sword.

Now here comes the good part for us as Christ-followers. In giving us His Word, Jesus gave us His sword, for they are one and the same thing. And we can use that same sword to drive out the lies of the enemy from our lives! When we do, we are implementing the second side or the second edge of the sword.

And it gets even better. When we use the same sword that Jesus used–the Word of God–we are setting ourselves in agreement with Jesus. We are setting in motion the power of agreement described in Matthew 18: 19 where Jesus says this: “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” Is this amazing or what?

So, the two sides of the sword represent this: one edge represents the Word of God coming out of His mouth, and the other edge represents the Word of God coming out of our mouths. And when we both speak the same Word of God, we are in agreement with God and whatever we agree on will come to pass.

So, the next time you come across the term “two-edged sword” in the Bible, remember the power and authority you have through that two-edged sword of truth, which is the Word of God, coming out both of God’s mouth and of your mouth. Remember to use the sword of the Spirit to drive out the enemy from your life whenever he attacks you. And remember most of all that the sword has two edges: one is God’s Word coming out of His mouth in the written pages of the Bible and the other is God’s Word coming out of your mouth as You speak it forth over every negative situation in your life. Then you will know what it means to be more than a conqueror through Christ.

Perhaps you are reading this blog post or listening to this podcast and you don’t yet have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You have to be in relationship with Him in order to receive and use His two-edged sword. So I invite you to accept Jesus Christ now. Here’s how:

1__Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
2__Repent of your sin.
3__Believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the dead for YOU so that you could be saved.

Let’s pray together now:

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I choose to repent of my sin and to ask You to forgive me and cleanse me. I invite You now into my life to be my Savior and Lord. Thank You for giving me Yourself. Thank You for giving me the Sword of the Spirit. Thank You for making me what You created me to be. Amen.

If you have acknowledged that you are a sinner, if you have repented of sinning against the Most High God, and if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you are now a born-again child of God. Write to me at info@maryanndiorio.com and request my free e-booklet titled After You’re Born Again. It will help you get started in your exciting life journey with Jesus.

My featured book for this month, The Captain and Mrs. Vye, is my latest novel and is the story of a 19th-century, middled-aged widow who discovers that her late husband has left her destitute. You can purchase the book at the links below.

Also, you I invite you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table for a wonderful selection of books–both fiction and nonfiction–to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

You can also keep updated on new releases in my writing ministry by subscribing to my monthly author newsletter at the link below.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER

Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!

Source consulted:
“You Have a Two-Edged Sword”
https://renner.org/article/you-have-a-two-edged-sword/
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Featured Book of the Week:

A middle-aged, 19th-century widow discovers that her late husband has left her destitute.

PRINT:

EBOOK:

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