It must be true.....

"The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."  

Isaiah 55:10-11

Most of us have heard this verse a time or two, but maybe in a different version. I believe it is always used out of context. Many will say, "God's word will never return void" and then move on like the Bible is some boomerang that you use to fling at people.
I have personally been told after teaching the Bible, "Oh, don't worry if they got it or not, God's word NEVER returns void."
This seems a dangerous way to use the word of God. As I read the NLT version, I get a distinct impression that God will do what HE wants with HIS word and it will always produce fruit. What if we use HIS word the same way? Does it still produce fruit?
Recently, I participated in a spirited discussion about telling people the truth, and doing it unapologetically,which spiraled into a debate on free speech and civil rights. Now I am not here to argue the truth being delivered, but I will argue that Christians use the truth as a "weapon of mass destruction."
"I have a right to put a sign in my yard that says "Turn or Burn,"" was told to me. And I suppose you would have that right in America or other free democratic societies, but how does this build bridges of relationship and compassion? How does this make a hardened people any more receptive to the Good News of Jesus Christ? Does this sound like something Jesus would do?
I'm not trying to stand in my pulpit and condone the actions of the world, but I certainly don't believe the actions of Christians looking like the world, just singing a different tune, will ever make disciples of Christ.
Certainly we are entitled to debate such tactics and policy, but to fling truth about as a weapon, and then say "God's word won't return void" is irresponsible.
There is a lot of sin in this world, but we as Christians need to stop taking stands against just the sins that make you uncomfortable (homosexuality, abortion, pornography, oppression, drugs) and take a stand against ALL sin (gossip, murder, corruption, hypocrisy, adultery, divorce, coveting, etc..).
The point is, we should care less about how we are going to eliminate sin, and care more for the marginalized, the poor, the widowed. Care for the hurting, the lost, the hopeless.
How should we then stand up against Satan?
Stand in the gap for those you meet. Live in such a way, that the light of Christ shining through you compels them to know more. Love EVERY child of God as yourself. Yes, even the homosexual. You see, many people we brow beat with our theology are blind to the ways of God, because God intends them to be. The only way their eyes can be open is to measure God's people by what THEY believe.
"Well I hate the sin, but I love the sinner." I challenge you to ask any unbeliever you know just how much love you show them in regards to their sin.
It is impossible to show anyone the love of Christ if don't truly have it yourself. We end up being medieval Crusaders, lopping off their heads until they repent.
The blood of Christ was shed for ALL, not just the few who figured it out. Our mission as Christ followers is not to use the Bible as a weapon of truth, but to love the sinner so much, it breaks their heart to offend you.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

I know loving someone to build a relationship is hard, and maybe even unwanted, but someone loved YOU enough to build a relationship in order to tell you the Good News. Don't forget it was JESUS who died on that cross, not you. Let Him worry about being offended.

"You must love in such a way 

that the person you love feels free." 

— Thich Nhat Hanh