AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – February 12, 2021, Sh’vat 30, 5781
GIFTS – PART SIXTY-SEVEN
ARMOR OF GOD – PART NINE
Greetings and welcome to all who join this blog, the Friday Bible Study titled “Gifts”. I am currently dealing with the “Armor of God”. Please take a moment to share this teaching as widely as possible. Thank you for doing that, doing your part in the dissemination of the gospel. Those who are following this teaching week to week know that I am building a contextual (background) foundation. We make the best use of anything when we not only have knowledge of the thing, but have an understanding of the thing, and are guided by Wisdom in the use of the thing. Many teachings on the “Armor of God” start right off, including mine in the past, talking about the various components. The Holy Spirit (our Master Teacher) has quickened me to not do that this time but lay a sound foundation. The lack of proper knowledge, understanding, and leadership of the Holy Spirit to use the armor with Wisdom may account for Christians engaging in ineffective spiritual warfare.
Thus far in our study we have found that necessary components of the foundation for our efficient use of the armor includes obedience, honor, love (agape), thanksgiving, and proving the Word. The other essential ingredient is the absence of sin. If we were to condense to one, we would say that walking in love (agape) is the key (with faith) otherwise we are powerless and no threat to the darkness. I started to skip over the sins listed in the following text but the Holy Spirit prompted me to go back and discuss them one by one. This Book of Ephesians and this list are for Christians. I suspect most if not all of us look at this list and immediately declare that none of that applies to us. Really? Why is it in a Book to Christians? All sin is a violation of love (agape), love of God first, love of our neighbor. Sin nullifies love (and faith), meditate verse two.
Ephesians 5:2 (AMP)
2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
Now, let’s proceed with our discussion but first review our text.
Ephesians 5:3-6 (KJV)
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Let’s take a look at this in the New Living Translation.
Ephesians 5:3-6 (NLT)
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
Today, I will pick up with the admonition to avoid foolish talk. Foolish talk will inactivate or diminish the effectiveness of our spiritual armor. Remember foolish talk (unwise, imprudent, irrational, reckless, idiotic, stupid, laughable) emanates from foolish thoughts and brings ungodly fruit into our lives. Scripture tells us that what a man thinks is what he has become (Proverbs 23:7). Do we really want to be known as foolish? Are the sons of God to be foolish? Let’s take a look at some definitions to further understand what the Lord is conveying to us. Do we have ears to hear? Foolish talk is that type of speech which betrays a person as foolish according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Let’s look a little deeper. The opposite of foolish speech is pleasant speech, speech that blesses, and to speak well of according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. The Lord does not want us hanging out with foolish people whether they be saved or not.
Proverbs 9:6 (KJV)
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Foolish people are devoid of understanding and all Wisdom. There is death in hanging out with foolish people, being associated with foolish people. Unfortunately, we have seen much foolishness in the world and in the Church during the Pandemic.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next week. And, by the way 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 a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice 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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