THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BIRTHDAY and WILES OF THE DEVIL – PART FIVE
Thursday – April 13, 2017
Welcome back to The Three Minute Word and our Bible Study from the Book of Ephesians. First let’s be reminded that it is Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. Thomas Jefferson was a prominent Founding Father of America. He was the second Vice President and the third President of this great republic. He was the primary author of The Declaration of Independence. It is here in the Declaration of Independence that we find these familiar and reassuring words:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Many wrongly point to Thomas Jefferson as promoting the mythical idea of the separation of Church and State meaning that the Church has no place in the government. There are no official documents from the founding era or since that codify the idea that the Christian religion has no place in government. The founders went to great lengths to keep the government out of the Church or establishing a certain sect (Denomination). All of the current talk about separation of Church and State as well as the prohibition of a ‘religious test’ as all foolish talk and a part of the wiles of the devil. The only place a ‘religious test’ is unconstitutional is in the preventing of a person holding federal office based on belonging to one denomination or another of the Christian religion. Back to our Bible Study.
Ephesians 5:6 (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.
The Amplified version of the Bible perhaps brings this into a little better focus.
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.
Have you run into those folks who have quite a long list of excuses that they put forward as the reasons for their sin and worse yet to justify the sins? Let’s turn over to 2 Timothy to continue our foundation for a discussion of the armour of God by exposing the wiles of the devil.
2 Timothy 2:15-16 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to his spiritual son Timothy points out a crucial point, you might say a lynchpin, to a successful walk in the Spirit in the preceding passage. It is mandated, incumbent upon us to study the Word of God. Let me ask a question, does the momma bird poke food down the throat of adult birds or baby birds? Unlike in the natural a person can remain a spiritual baby or child all the days of their lives. The purpose of study is to be able to rightly divide the word of Truth (Word of God). If we do not study, walk with the Spirit of God, we will not be able to rightly divide the Word of God and will be tricked by the ideas of the devil. They will generally appeal to our flesh, our pride, and sound religious or Godly but they are not.
Much like we saw the Apostle address in Ephesians we see him talking about language. The words of our mouth are the product of our thoughts and together frame our world. Wherever you and I are right now financially, health wise, ministry wise, and family wise is the results of our deepest thoughts and the words of our mouth. Paul gives the command to shun profane and vain babblings because it results in more ungodliness. These things are not funny or benign they shape not only our current situations but our eternal destiny. The Lord tells us through the Apostle Paul that our listening to this trash and/or participating in this trash will take us further away from our fellowship with God. The Prophet Amos wrote: how can two walk together except they be agreed? (Paraphrase) Short answer, they cannot. God is not in agreement with this crass and profane talk and therefore we are walking separate from Him. This talk reduces our sensitivity to the voice of God.
I will pick up with the following passage as we continue to delve into the wiles of the devil tomorrow.
2 Timothy 2:20-26 (KJV)
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
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.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
I have recently published two books. First was the book titled “Temptation – The Battle for our Thoughts”. Perhaps this book will shed new light on this topic of temptation in ways you have not imagined. Second is the book titled “And God Said – The Creator’s Provision”. This book illuminates the will of God from the beginning for them and for us. These books are available at Amazon Books.
