AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – April 9, 2021, Nisan 27, 5781
GIFTS – PART SEVENTY-FOUR
ARMOR OF GOD – PART SIXTEEN
Greetings dear and precious saints of the only living God and welcome back to this Friday Bible Study of the Gifts of God. Currently I am focused on the Armor of God. Please take a few moments and share this teaching as widely as possible to expand the reach of the Truth beyond this Ministry by itself. Thank you for being a friend or partner and doing that. As you know I have not just jumped to the seven pieces of armor listed by the Apostle Paul discussed in Ephesians chapter six by the unction of the Holy Spirit. Instead, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to look closely at the context within which the armor is discussed. And so, we are doing just that in a meticulous fashion as led of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we are seriously tempted to jump to the bottom line so to speak but that is not always wise.
The Armor of God like anything else we use in the physical or spiritual realm works best when we know all we can possibly know about its purpose, how it works, and under what circumstances it is to be used. Thus far we have seen that obedience, honor, love (agape), thanksgiving, proving the Word, and the avoidance of sin are essential to the success of our spiritual warfare. Last week we discovered we are to be wary of people who would excuse or minimize our sin, any sin. Before we continue, I want to caution each person to not get focused on the Roman soldier and the various pieces of physical armor but on the spiritual weapons at our disposal. Without these spiritual weapons, both offensive and defensive, we are easy prey for our spiritual enemies who seek to destroy us daily.
When I ended last week, I was imploring each of us with an open genuine heart before the Lord to ask Him to show us error in our thoughts/words and teach us the Truth. Let us meditate on the following verses.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
If there is a right way to divide the Word of Truth, there is a wrong way. We must with all sincerity implore the Lord to lead us into all the Truth.
2 Timothy 2:18 (KJV)
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
With an open heart let each of us ask the Lord to reveal any and all error in our thoughts and words.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 (KJV)
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
When we are in error, not knowing and/or doing the Truth we are opposing ourselves and are in the snare of the devil at his will. No place to be dear ones. Now, let’s turn our attention to our initial Bible text for today and read it aloud, yes, out loud.
Ephesians 5:6-10 (KJV)
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
As we prepare to move forward let’s take a moment to look at verse six of our text in the Amplified translation.
Ephesians 5:6 (AMP)
6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience.
Never, never, ever, make an excuse for any kind for sin no matter how little or large one might consider a particular sin to be. The long and short of it all, dear ones, is that sin is sin, they all disrupt our fellowship with the Lord, and they all give the devil access to our lives and keep the Blessing out. There just is no way to sugar coat this, and if I did, I would be one of those the Apostle Paul (the Holy Spirit) is talking about.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Friday. And, yes, I will get to the actual Armor of God.
2 Chronicles 20:20b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as your Bible Teacher and a Prophetic Voice in your life I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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