What “One Little Word” Will Fell Satan?
I must admit, my conclusion on what Luther meant by the “one little word” was wrong. I’m glad to know it now, it will help as we sing this song together.
“What is that “one little word” that will fell Satan?
The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! His doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.
Somehow it took me about twenty years to realize that I had no idea what Martin Luther was talking about in this line in “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Now, a confession: I am a Baptist, not Lutheran — I’m willing to admit there may be a real, mystical meaning of the “one little word” that only Lutherans can understand. But probably not.
The identity of this word should matter to us. Most Protestant churches still sing this “Battle Hymn of the Reformation” regularly in worship. It does little good to know that a single word will take down the raging Prince of Darkness if we have no idea what that word is. So, what word might Luther have in mind?….”
Don’t read this article with binoculars, looking for others to which it relates. Read this article with a mirror, where every point being made reflects back to you. I think you will find it accurate, relatable and by the end…hopeful!
“No, this post is not about looking at the eclipse. Rather, someone once illustrated temptation in this way. When you are being tempted, the devil sets on your nose a pair of false glasses. These glasses make the sin look so small that you view engaging in it as trivial. How does Satan fool us with lies so that we believe that committing sin will be inconsequential? Here are five of the common ways he distorts our spiritual vision with his lies during temptation….”
What Does It Mean To “Accept Jesus”?
What would we say to someone if they asked us this question? Would we be right? This short article drills down to the fine point in answering this question.
“This way of “inviting Jesus into your life” is common here in the Bible Belt, where I live. But it isn’t Christianity, as defined by the New Testament….”
What God Starts, He Always Finishes
Understanding this is vital to our joy, hope and satisfaction in Christ. The one genuinely believing this is not encouraged to be lax concerning sin, they are stirred to greater faith and obedience.
“Many genuine believers live with deep anxiety about their eternal security. But in Scripture we find abundant reasons to believe that when anyone is born again by the Spirit of God and justified by faith in Christ alone, he or she will persevere in faith to the end—even when that perseverance is bumpy and inconsistent along the way….”