AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – May 21, 2021, Sivan 10, 5781
GIFTS – PART EIGHTY
ARMOR OF GOD – PART TWENTY-TWO
Greetings dear and precious children, sons, of the only Living God and welcome back to this Bible Study of “Gifts” currently focused on the Armor of God. Please take a moment and share these teachings as widely as possible to expand the reach of this Ministry. It also gives you an opportunity to participate with us in the dissemination of the good news (gospel). As you know very well the Holy Spirit has not led me to dive directly into a discussion of the Armor itself but to take time and look at the foundation on which the effective use of the Armor depends. Many know about the Armor of God but seemingly few use it effectively. The Holy Spirit has given us much instruction to this point and it is vital that we pay attention. We must never be so prideful to just think we can pick up the Armor of God and be proficient.
Last week I reviewed at length the underpinnings for the efficient and effective use of the Armor of God. It would be well worth going back and looking at that discussion. In this microwave world, generation, we tend to have the attitude we don’t need to read the instructions and we can learn on the job, just wing it so to speak. In spiritual things that attitude makes us wide open for the thief, the devil, to beat our brains out, even kill us. I don’t know about you but I’ve had it with the devils getting in their licks. I want to walk like Jesus. He faced significant challenges but walked victoriously untouched by any of them. Now, don’t give me the “but that was Jesus” line. He said the things, works, that He did we were to do also. The following passage is our primary Bible text for today, please read it aloud, yes, out loud, and read it and listen to it to understand.
Ephesians 5:17-20 (KJV)
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
We are commanded not to be unwise. In order to comply with the Lord, the Father, the Holy Spirit, we must ask ourselves what that looks like. At the foundation of our walk as the wise is love (agape). This God level of love, which we are fully capable of exercising, is obedience to Scripture, even the parts that rub our flesh, carnal nature, the wrong way. This love involves a selfless lifestyle, attitude, avoiding selfishness or ungodly motives. It also requires that we walk out the Blood Covenant we entered into at salvation. In the preceding verses we are told to avoid all sorts of darkness whether it be sin or hanging out with sinners. It is essential that we be among sinners but not in fellowship with sinners. It rubs off and our carnal nature will find it easier to go the way of the flesh, the way of unrighteousness than righteousness. What gives the Blessing free reign in our lives?
Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Do we believe and practice Psalm one? Look back at our primary text and notice the phrase “but understanding what the will of the Lord is”. This requires that we be practiced and attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit within. In addition, it requires that we have and are continually diligent to study the Word of God, rightly dividing the Word of God. The will of the Lord is that we obey and live by every Word from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
This brings us to a very controversial part of Scripture over which many are ready to go to war over. Let’s review it now.
Ephesians 5:18 (KJV)
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Please notice what this verse does not say. It does not say, don’t drink wine. It says that getting drunk or intoxicated is excess and it is implied, don’t do that! The passage offers the alternative of being filled or drunk with the Holy Spirit. There are many places where we are told not to be drunk on intoxicating beverages but no where are we forbidden to drink these beverages. It seems to me this falls into the category of the whole discussion the Apostle Paul had with the Corinthian Church about eating meats sacrificed to idols. If it offends your brother don’t do it.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next week.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (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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