AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – May 7, 2021, Iyar 25, 5781
GIFTS – PART SEVENTY-EIGHT
ARMOR OF GOD – PART TWENTY
Greetings to all of our dear friends and partners and welcome as you join us today in our study of “Gifts”. I am currently focusing on the gifts that comprise the “Armor of God”. Please take a moment and share this teaching as widely as possible to expand the reach of the Truth. Instead of jumping directly to the seven parts of the Armor of God described in Ephesians chapter six, the Holy Spirit directed me to lay a contextual foundation for the discussion of and the effective use of the Armor. The expert and effective use of anything depends on our understanding of the equipment and the appropriate setting for its use. Otherwise, one might be taking a bulldozer to the supermarket and trying use the car to clear a field.
As we have reviewed the context in which we are told about the Armor of God we have found starting in Ephesians chapter five several things that contribute to the effective function, use of the armor. We saw at the beginning of chapter six about obedience to parents and we will come back to that for there is much more. We found out that it is important to honor (value) others, to walk in love (agape), to have a constant attitude of thanksgiving, to prove every word we hear, and to avoid sin. The Apostle Paul makes us aware of a list of sins to be avoided. Perhaps before this one might not have been aware that they were participating in one or another of the sins discussed for they did not have light. Although sins of ignorance don’t carry the same weight as sins with knowledge there are still negative consequences for the one sinning and those around them. We also have learned that we are not to be joined with sinners or those of darkness and last week we found that we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Now let’s move back to Ephesians chapter five verse sixteen and then onward. Read this aloud, yes, out loud.
Ephesians 5:16-20 (KJV)
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
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 don’t have any time to waste for the days are evil and we must be engaged to pushing back darkness every day. As we push back darkness, the kingdom of this world run by demons, we are enlarging the Kingdom of light, of God.
Ephesians 5:16 (HCSB)
16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
Before we move forward with our Ephesians text let’s again give attention to the text in Proverbs the Lord had me connect with Ephesians 3:16.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
This whole passage is a series of commands. We are to do them without hesitation, without reasoning, putting aside all of our understanding, our will, and our emotions (no matter how strong). As you are likely very aware this may seem easy as an academic exercise, but in our day to day walk of life it can be challenging. Putting aside our own understanding can indeed be challenging for the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Word may be contrary to our way of thinking. If that be the case we are conformed to the world and have not been transformed by the Word of God.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
In verse six of the Proverbs text, the word translated “acknowledge” means to know. So, we could say: “in all our ways we are to know Him”. Because we know Him, He will direct our paths. Ultimately the word ‘him’ in the text is the Word of God. So, we are to know the Word of God (and do it). The Word of God will direct our paths. Being wise in our own eyes is thinking we know better than the Word of God. Just how arrogant and ignorant is that? Finally, we are told to fear (revere, highly value) the Lord and to depart from evil. What evil? It is evil to not trust the Lord, to favor our own understanding, not to know the Word of God, not to allow Him to direct us, to be lifted up in pride (wise our own eyes), and failing to reverence the Lord.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Friday.
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
PRAYERS AND QUESTIONS – please, anytime you have an issue that you want me, this ministry to pray for you, a person you love or a situation contact me. Accordingly, if you should have a question about the Bible, please do not hesitate to ask it.
PARTNERSHIP AND GIVING – Those of you who are not Partners of this Ministry and you find this ministry to be of value to you and perhaps others with whom you share it, we ask you to consider becoming Partners. A Partner is one who prays for the Ministry on a regular basis and contributes to the Ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually). Thank you and may the Lord be pleased with your decision.
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/awakearisetriumphministries
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
MY BOOKS: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/shop/
