First things first.
Finally my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His
might.
Again, this is not about our power or strength, but His. That for me is
a great relief and comfort.
Second, put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand
against the methods of the devil.
So that we can have victory when we come into any of the methods,
schemes and plans that the devil would try to use to entrap, enslave or
ruin our souls.
Because it may seem that we are at odds with our spouses or kids maybe
even our boss or a coworker; when, in fact, we are at war with
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this
world, and against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. (this is a
list of rank in the demonic realm)
Now this armor of God, seems to have five pieces of defensive armor
and three pieces of offensive weapons.
The word from God to us says, if we will put on the whole armor, we
may be able to withstand in the day of evil.
So, the defensive armor is for our protection, let’s see what that
list consists of:
Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation.
So when we clothe ourselves with these things, they will protect us in
the times of temptations, and trials.
That is good news. OK now, how do we do this? How do we put on these
things to protect ourselves?
Romans 13:12-14
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
1 Thessalonians 5:6-9
2 Peter 1:5-10
These are just a few ways that if we will heed the ways of the Spirit
we will be more than conquerors in Him, and overcoming sons of the
Most High.
We have been infilled with the Spirit of God, if in fact you have been,
to be able, through Him, to walk NOT after the flesh or the ways of the
flesh, but to be led by Him, and be led by the Spirit of God.
Please let’s remember this one thing,
that we are a triune being, spirit, soul and body. We are truly all
three of these things.
We, first and foremost, are a spirit that is housed in a physical body,
and we have an intellect or soul whereby we reason.
When we accept the grace of God and receive His salvation, our spirit
is regenerated right there on the spot.
Our minds, our intellect, our soul needs to be brought into the
subjection of the Lordship of Jesus, by the renewing of our minds, by
the washing of the word, on a continual basis.
This is where we start to have our issues and problems as humans.
Trusting in ourselves and not leaning on the Lord for His guidance.
This is where I get into trouble.
Trying to figure everything out, not trusting the leading of God, but
trying to figure it out and doing it my way. That is trusting in the
arm of the flesh.
Oh my, have any of us in our own strength, produced an Ishmael, not
the promise?
We could write volumes on this subject from now until the return of
Christ, please see in the archives, the article, Now therefore there is
no condemnation.
And then we have this tent of our body, that will one day, all by the
timing and will of God, will put off mortality, and put on
immortality. If we can see the significance of our body in reference
to the things of the spirit, we may get a real good look at the ways
of the spirit and how it will ultimately affect our way of thinking
and our way of acting.
Its not that the devil is trying to cause us to lose our salvation,
although I think that may be possible, he is trying to keep us in the
flesh, so as not to be led by the spirit. He knows if he can keep us
in the flesh and reasoning for ourselves, we will continually produce
Ishmaels. But if we, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the
flesh, and submit to the leading of the Spirit, we then, through God
will produce the promise of God, and walk in the victory.
It is a prideful thing to try and figure it all out on our own.
Remember, God resists the proud and He gives grace, or the ability to
walk in His guidance.
So… back to the beginning, first things first.
Be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might.
Lean NOT to your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge
Him, and HE will direct your steps.
Walking in His leading, He and He alone will cause us to walk in the
promise.
Sent from our iPod
Frank & Vicki Thompson
