AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – April 23, 2021, Iyar 11, 5781
GIFTS – PART SEVENTY-SIX
ARMOR OF GOD – PART EIGHTEEN
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 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 trying to take 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 with 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 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 5:11-15 (KJV)
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
We are not to be involved with people in their works of darkness but rather to be clear in our own thinking and to those around us that the activity is contrary to God. I want to point out that the word ‘unfruitful’ is not to say no fruit is produced by the works of darkness, the fruit is not Godly but devilish. When we say what God’s, Word says about any particular thing we are shinning a light on it. The Word of God will illuminate and distinguish righteousness from unrighteousness. When these shameful acts are illuminated and reproved our plea is for the person to awake to arise from the spiritually dead to life. As one makes a choice for life the Anointing will give them even more light. Let’s look at verse fifteen in the Amplified translation.
Ephesians 5:15 (AMP)
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
We are to be careful how we live our lives at all times but especially around those who are outside the Kingdom of God. We are never to be a stumbling block for the unsaved.
Proverbs 15:21 (KJV)
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
We are not to be fools and join in with folly, those without wisdom but we are to walk in wisdom, the wisdom of God, giving an undeniable example of an upright Godly life. As we continue in chapter five, we come to what I think is a well-known verse.
Ephesians 5:16-17 (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.
Let’s see the sixteenth verse in the English Standard Version.
Ephesians 5:16 (ESV)
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
The best use of our time evil is walking upright before God, doing all His commands thus maximizing the manifestation of God (John 14:21) in our lives drawing the evil ones to salvation (Romans 2:4). So, we can add to our list that we are to have no fellowship, not be a partaker, or co-participant with works of darkness.
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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