AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – February 5, 2021, Sh’vat 23, 5781
GIFTS – PART SIXTY-SIX
ARMOR OF GOD – PART EIGHT
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, and are guided by Wisdom in its use. 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.
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. Equally if not more important is the exclusion of sin in our lives. 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 of sins found in the Church 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? So, 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, 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. Please don’t say yeah, yeah, I read that last week, read it again and read it out loud.
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 what our Scriptures refer to as filthiness or obscene stories. Let’s take a look at the definition of this sin. It means to be indecent, have impropriety (rude, lacking modesty), improper conduct whether in action or word or even thought and intent; indecorum (offensive) of any kind; conduct which when exposed by the light makes the person ashamed of himself; ugly, shameful conduct of any kind; conduct which is contrary to a person who follows after God according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Remember the Lord sees our thoughts afar off, hears all, and sees all concerning each of us.
Psalm 139:1-4 (KJV)
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
There is no such thing as secret thoughts, words, or actions, our Lord “knowest it altogether”. I think sometimes we think that we are alone and only we know what we are thinking. Not so! Review the definition above of this idea of filthiness or obscenity. If open for all to see or hear would we be comfortable or uncomfortable? Now that we have given thought, have the knowledge, that the Lord saw and understood all concerning us are we without conviction, without sin? Let us very critically filter every thought, every word, and every action we are about to take through this filter, the God filter.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next week.
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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