The best way to adopt greater levels of truth is directly from the Bible. Here are five levels of Bible-reading that can take encounters with God and His truth to the next level. Use this SWORD acronym to defeat lies while infusing your spirit with truth.

Level 1: Scan-reading

• The washing of the water of the word (Ephesians 5:26).
• This is quantity reading or listening. It is our daily spiritual shower, cleansing us from spiritual dirt we may have picked up.
• “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2).

Level 2: Wait and Meditate

• Notice and note what is standing out specifically to you.
• Mark up your Bible – underline, circle, etc.
• Think about and meditate on what you have read (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3).

Level 3: One Personal Word

• We live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
• As we identify specific words/promises God makes real to us, we have a sword to move forward in life (Ephesians 6:17).
• Remembering our “Aha!” moments in the Bible or sermons, and the unusual coincidence of repeated truths we hear, is key for us to truly live.

Level 4: Resist Lies

• “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).
• The fiery darts of the wicked one are primarily lies. When we resist the devil (James 4:7), we are resisting beliefs contrary to God’s Word.
• Our shield of faith is not positive thinking, but it is rooted in specific biblical truths God has made real to us.

Level 5: Defeat Lies

• Jesus persevered in Matthew 4:1-11 by repeatedly speaking “It is written . . . “
• Jesus did not think His way out of the wilderness, but spoke His way out with God’s promises. He is our example of how to possess freedom.
• We pull down the strongholds of restrictive beliefs by taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).