AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – April 2, 2021, Nisan 20, 5781
GIFTS – PART SEVENTY-THREE
ARMOR OF GOD – PART FIFTEEN
Greetings dear and precious saints of the only living God and welcome back to this Friday Bible Study of the Gifts of God, currently we are focused on the Armor of God. Please take a few moments and share this teaching as widely as possible to expand the reach of the Truth beyond the reach of this Ministry by itself. Thank you for being a friend or partner and doing that. As you know I have not just jumped to the seven pieces of armor listed by the Apostle Paul by the unction of the Holy Spirit. Instead, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to look closely at the context within which the armor is discussed. And so, we are doing that in a meticulous fashion as led of the Holy Spirit.
The Armor of God like anything else we use in the physical or spiritual realm works best when we know all we can possibly know about its purpose, how it works, and what circumstances it is to be used. Thus far we have seen that obedience, honor, love (agape), thanksgiving, proving the Word, and the avoidance of sin are essential to the success of our spiritual warfare. Before we continue, I want to caution each person to not get focused on the Roman soldier and the various pieces of physical armor but on the actual spiritual weapons at our disposal. Without these spiritual weapons, both offensive and defensive, we are easy prey for our spiritual enemies who seek to destroy us daily. Now, let’s turn our attention to our initial Bible text for today and read it aloud, yes, out loud.
Ephesians 5:6-10 (KJV)
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Two weeks ago, we left off our discussion with verse six in the passage above. There are those in our lives who will tend to gloss over our or their sins with various excuses. Let’s look again at the Message translation of verse six.
Ephesians 5:6 (MSG)
6 Don’t let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him.
Perhaps you have heard phrases like; “just do the best you can” or “we’re all human and we mess up”. While it is true that we are to do the best we can, and yes, we all have messed up at times but none of that reduces the seriousness of any sin. These things, this lax thinking, can cost us dearly including our own lives or the lives of those around us. We are fully empowered to walk as Jesus walked in the earth.
1 John 4:17 (KJV)
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
The idea that we have to sin, do sin regularly, or we allow someone, or we ourselves gloss over sin is an abomination. Remember the following passage?
Luke 13:1-5 (KJV)
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
There are no sins without consequences, and sometimes those consequences are the ending of this current physical life. The preceding passage is a difficult passage for Christians. Yes, Jesus is talking to you and me, not the world. This passage gives us at least a partial answer as to why bad things happen to seemingly good people. When the curse has gained entry into our lives, we have to examine ourselves before the Lord without entering into condemnation and repent with our mouth changing our heart regarding whatever is found. For many in the body of Christ unfortunately the issue is a lack of faith in the Truth or ignorance of the Truth due to traditions of men and doctrines of demons that are rampant in the Church. Let us all with an open genuine heart before the Lord ask Him to show us where we are in error and teach us the Truth.
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/
