Don't Be The Weapon Fashioned Against Yourself

Narrow or Broad Way?

Apr 23, 2026

Caroline has always loved mid-week services and this particular Tuesday is no exception. You could see the eagerness with which she was closing up at work. She was determined to drag her two friends— Betty and Tola, along with her.

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🎧Note to the reader: This soundtrack was attached to aid your reading experience. You are welcome!

HR had already granted Caroline permission to leave work early every Tuesday, but Betty and Tola’s permission was still pending for the day. Thankfully, before Caroline went along with her two friends to the HR office, the approval was already waiting for them.

Caroline muttered, “Thank You, Holy Spirit,” under her breath.

Wanting to beat the Lagos traffic, she and her friends walked as fast as their legs could carry them to the bus stop, boarded a bus and off they went.

As soon as they stepped into the church auditorium, the worship session had just ended. Caroline and her friends found their way to the seats the usher directed them to and sat quietly. Then Caroline's pastor, Pastor Chidi, was about to begin his sermon…

“There is a story of a king in the pages of Ta Biblia…”

Immediately he mentioned Ta Biblia, more than half of the congregation gave the “clock it” sign— That knowing nod Nigerians give when they catch a reference.

They knew their pastor to be a very sound and intellectual teacher.

Pastor Chidi paused and smiled. “For those just joining us, Ta Biblia is a Greek word and it simply means ‘The Bible’ in English. I know some of you already clocked it, especially those in the discipleship school,” he said, nodding at the grinning faces. “But I never want to leave anyone behind. We grow together,” he added, then continued his sermon…

The story of this king serves as a perfect example of our focus for today. His name is Saul. God had a perfect plan of establishing King Saul's kingdom forever in Israel.

Everything was going smoothly until the day King Saul started disobeying and rebelling against the Lord. God became sorry that He ever made Saul king—(1st Samuel 15:10-11 NLT).

“Media please, project the scripture.”

[10] Then the Lord said to Samuel, [11] “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.

King Saul became the weapon fashioned against God's plan and purpose for his life, through his disobedience, disloyalty and foolishness. He forfeited the rulership of his entire generation.

Truly, no man can stop the move of God in your life, only you can. Don't be the weapon fashioned against yourself by using your own hands to scatter what God is building in your life.

Then, God decided to raise another man after His own heart, David, that will rule over Israel and do all, not some of His will.

After King Saul successfully became the weapon fashioned against himself, he decided to be a weapon fashioned against David by trying to kill him. But it was written in Isaiah 54:17; “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.”

“Amen, somebody?”

“Amennnnnnnnnnn!!!” The whole congregation chorused.

King Saul truly did not prosper; the Spirit of the Lord departed from him and he had a tormenting Spirit. He tried several times to kill David, but all was in vain. The Spirit of the Lord was upon David mightily and He exalted David above Saul.

It was written that women from all towns in Israel came out and sang; Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands (1st Samuel 18:7).

This made King Saul very jealous and that was why he tried to kill David.

You know, while I read through the story of King Saul, it just made me realize; Sometimes, it's not that what God has said concerning us is not true, it's just we humans that deviate from the reality of His word by leaning on our understanding and taking too many short cuts. All these are the characteristics of people who walk in the broad way.

The narrow way leads to life and there are few who find it because it is not an easy path to walk in. The narrow way does not have the ability to accommodate all of your selfish desires and excesses. Instead, it prunes them all. Only a man who follows and trust in the Lord with his heart and leans not on his own understanding, walks through the narrow way. Only God can walk you through the narrow way.

“Are you getting what I'm saying?”

“Yes, Pastor Sir.” Everyone responded.

Few people find the narrow way because they have the ability to endure till the end. What does Matthew 24:13 say?

“But he who endures till the end shall be saved.” The congregation answered.

“Very good!” Pastor said cheerfully. He was so proud of his members. He adjusted his mic and continued…

The broad way that leads to destruction gives room for your selfish desires and excesses. There is no pruning, it accommodates them well and blurs your discernment. Slowly, it kills and it looks like you are chopping life, until life starts chopping you.

Betty felt like a sharp arrow had just landed in her heart. She adjusted her sitting position, fighting the sting of conviction.

There are too many short cuts in this broad way. It is destruction dressed up as enjoyment and it is not in alignment with God’s will for your life.

Now, you have the ability to decide which way to walk in. Narrow or Broad?

Narrow looks like hardwork until it earns you glory.

Broad looks like enjoyment until it earns you destruction.

Don't be the weapon fashioned against yourself by walking through the broad way.

“This hits hard!” Betty said quietly. Tears already filled her eyes.

Strive to stay and walk in the narrow path.

⚡Call to action:

Take a look at your life right now. Identify what looks like narrow or Broad way;

Where are you taking short cuts when you are actually supposed to do the work?
Where are you acting selfishly when you are supposed to be selfless?
Where are you acting in secrecy instead of being accountable?
Where are you acting in partial obedience or disobedience instead of total obedience?

Did you know that King Saul acted in partial obedience when God told him to completely destroy the Amalekite nation but he spared their King? (1st Samuel 15:7-9).

Partial obedience is still disobedience and it's one of the characteristics of the people who walk in the broad way. They give room for their own understanding a lot.

In the narrow way is total surrender and obedience.

Some people are even one leg in the narrow path and one leg in the broad path.

Tola coughed slightly. She knew that the word was for her. “You are talking to me, Pastor!” She screamed internally.

Choose this day the God you will serve. You cannot serve two masters. Either you are walking in the light or dwelling in darkness. You cannot do both; it will lead you no where.

Make up your mind today that you will choose the narrow path and serve the Lord. Stand up, church, let us pray.

After the prayer session, Pastor Chidi called out those who would love to rededicate and dedicate their lives to Christ. Betty and Tola were numbered among them.

Caroline was smiling pretty in her seat. She was so glad to have obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit by inviting her two friends to church.

“Thank You, Holy Spirit. You are the best!” She whispered.

On their way back home, Betty and Tola thanked her profusely for inviting them to church.

💡 Lights out!

💌 Author's Note:

Another way you can be a weapon fashioned against yourself is if your actions don't match your prayers. You are praying but you keep negative confessions so close to your mouth. Don't do that!

I believe you have learnt one or two from this newsletter. What are your thoughts? I would love to read them in the comments.👇🏽

Creative Dee

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