AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – April 30, 2021, Iyar 18, 5781
GIFTS – PART SEVENTY-SEVEN
ARMOR OF GOD – PART NINETEEN
Greetings and welcome to all of our dear friends and partners 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 this 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 trying to take a bulldozer to the supermarket and trying to use the car to clear a field.
We have reviewed the context in which we are told about the Armor of God starting with chapter five of Ephesians. Several things contribute to the effective function, and the 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. Now let’s move forward in Ephesians chapter five.
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;
Last week I spoke about verse sixteen of our primary Bible text above and I will return to it briefly. Let’s look at it in the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Ephesians 5:16 (HCSB)
16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
It strikes me this morning as I write this that perhaps we just fly over this verse with a “yeah, yeah” and give mental assent that the days are indeed evil. As I thought about this the Lord highlighted the following verse in my thinking.
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.
Who is planning our days? Are we led of the Holy Spirit or does God have His box or place on Sunday morning and perhaps Wednesday evening? Are we planning our days and deciding what time is appropriate for God? Is the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul highlighting once again where we are to focus? I don’t have a number as to the number of times we are told in one way or another to focus on God, the Scripture, the Kingdom of God, but it is everywhere. In an often-quoted verse the Master tell us where to focus.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The redeeming or our time or deciding on the best use of our time is going to take the input of the One who knows all things, the Holy Spirit. That brings us back to the Proverbs passage above. With how much of our heart are we to trust the Lord? Do you suppose He is kidding or speaking in hyperbole? Of course not! The command (not a holy suggestion or try too) to lean not to our own understanding is critical. We tend to not want to do what is contrary to our flesh or our natural understanding. To counter or disobey the commands of the Lord for ANY reason is sin, opening the door for the thief to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives. According Proverbs 3:5 we are to trust the Lord with ALL of our hearts. The Hebrew word for heart here transliterated to English is lēb meaning our feelings, our will, and our intellect according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. We could commonly say it is referring to our soul. We are to trust what the Lord says and not our intellect or mind, our own will, or emotions.
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
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