AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – November 26, 2021, Kislev 22, 5782
GIFTS – PART ONE HUNDRED-SEVEN
ARMOR OF GOD – PART FORTY-NINE
PRINCIPALITIES, POWERS, RULERS, AND
SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS
Greetings dear and precious children of God the Father and welcome back to our Bible Study of “Gifts”, currently focused on “The Armor of God”. I have taken my time by direction of the Holy Spirit to carefully lay a foundation in our study of chapter five and now the early verses of chapter six. As I have written many times, the best use of anything involves knowing what it is, how it works, and under what conditions it works best. And, so it is with the Armor of God. I hope we are all very much aware that unless we live a holy, sanctified life (which does not mean boring by any means) we will not have victory over anything nor do the works Jesus did and the greater works. The world and the devil (and his cohorts) have done an excellent job keeping the Church as a social club, on the playground, and even in school but away from the actual works of the Kingdom. The works of the Kingdom (Ministry) are the application of knowledge (not play acting putting on armor) in faith, motivated by love (agape), without doubt, as led of the Holy Spirit. Now, let’s turn our attention to our text from the Book of Ephesians. Be sure you are reading it out loud building faith.
Ephesians 6:11-15 (KJV)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Putting on the whole armor of God is not optional for the obedient Christian which is the Christian who loves (agape) the Lord. Saying we love the Lord while being in disobedience is a lie. There is Grace for a season if we are diligently studying the Word of God, receiving it, proving it, believing it, and implementing it. If on the other hand we are receiving some and rejecting other parts we are on the road to perishing (stealing, killing, and destroying by the thief).
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Perhaps going to Heaven but perishing in the earth not being a recipient of the riches Jesus died for us to have in every area of our physical and spiritual lives.
Everyday in the earth is evil, evil is at our door, presents himself day to day. What do we choose, righteousness or evil? Our text tells us that without the whole (not partial) armor of God we will not be able to stand against the deceptions of the devil. Although it sure seems like it from time to time, our battle is not with other people but with the demonic, dark, forces influencing them. This is saint and sinner alike. Sinners, the heathen, are 100% demon controlled, demon influenced, the saints are to varying degrees demon influenced. That is to say some saints cannot be distinguished from the heathen while others are practicing a fully submitted life. Be careful about appearance, watch the fruit (what their life is producing). Judge no one’s heart, motives, understanding, or consequence of speech and actions. That is totally in the purview of God. We are to judge matters but not people (declare a consequence).
Now, what about principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places? We have heard it taught, preached that these are various ranks of wicked spirits. I don’t know how important that is but to know they are wicked and to have faith in who we are in Christ making us far superior to all of them, period (review the first chapter of Ephesians). Principalities are the highest order of fallen angels, perhaps archangels before the fall. Powers are those who have authority in a certain jurisdiction (area of the earth). Rulers of the darkness of this world would seem to be those who rule in a more limited jurisdiction over spiritual wickedness in high places. Just a brief comment, there are those that teach some of these are in what we call outer space, outside the earths atmospheric envelop. I do not believe that to be true for when Satan (Lucifer) was cast out of Heaven, he was cast to the ground not the atmosphere. Spiritual wickedness in high places is talking about putting things in our minds above the Word of God.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Friday. Remember, we love you and there is nothing you can do about it.
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, doubt it not, 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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