Monday – February 1, 2016
It is Monday and a new month, the second month of 2016 already. God is so good. Are we ready to make this portion of God’s Word our own? I will be continuing our study of Spiritual Warfare today and we will pick up our text in First Peter after we remind ourselves of where this study started.
Colossians 2:1 (KJV)
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
The Apostle Paul is writing to the saints and faithful brethren (men, women, boys, and girls) of Colossae and tells them that he is in spiritual warfare concerning them and their counterparts at Laodicea by the phrase: ‘what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea”. Although the intercession of others in our lives can stay consequences of our actions for a season and even save our lives for a time it is not nearly as effective as waging spiritual warfare on our own behalf with knowledge. Do not fire wildly in the air and there is no such thing as suppressive fire in Spiritual warfare. We are the only ones with authority and power in our lives. Authority comes with being an embodied personality in the earth and this authority acquires a supernatural component with salvation. Power, wonder working power, comes when we are endued with power from on high following or coincident with salvation. In response to intercession God can act in any way that does not conflict with the choices of the one being prayed for or interceded for. Now let’s get back to our text in First Peter.
1 Peter 5:5-10 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Last week we looked at verses five and six. I want to remind us that it is always important to look at the Scripture before and after the one we are focusing on to have a proper context and see if it really applies or am I jamming a square peg into a round hole. There are three significant take away thoughts from verse five.
1 Peter 5:5 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- Submit to the Elders and to each other.
- Be clothed with humility.
- God Himself resists the proud but releases His Holy Spirit to function in the lives of the humble.
Submission to those of authority in our lives, those of greater maturity, and to one another is a sign and act of humility. Humility is an unassuming nature, the willingness to listen too, defer too, or prefer another. Humility is not weakness but great power in control. Humility is a Godly attitude of the mind, a willingness to listen and to be open to learning. Hopefully it won’t take any of us very long to figure out whether we want to walk in humility or arrogance (pride). It really comes down to; do I love God or do I want God Himself setting Himself in opposition to me? This seems like a no brainer but resisting pride is an ongoing part of spiritual warfare for most if not all of us. I for one say: “help me Lord to be humble, I choose to conduct myself in humility, I receive your Holy Spirit as my only leader and teacher in Jesus name.”
1 Peter 5:6 (KJV)
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Lord Jesus I choose to humble myself under your mighty hand and I will walk where you lead, saying and doing as you instruct me to bring glory to you and our Heavenly Father.
By Pastor David R. Wood
