2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
Yesterday, the Lord led me to begin writing on the question: Should we be frightened when facing spiritual warfare? I am led to continue on this important question today. One of the most powerful weapons in dealing with the devil that we have is a strong grasp of God's word. None of us study the Scriptures with God's full perspective on them. Remember IS 55: 8-9, "My thoughts are not like yours, and My ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are My ways above yours." This is no reason to cower away from studying God's word. God understands our limitations and gives us some wonderful ways to stretch toward His perspective. The strength of our grasp of His word can be very useful indeed in dealing effectively in the war against the adversary. 2 TIM 3: 16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God can be fully equipped to do every good work."
There are some rules we can use that will help us have a stronger grasp on His word. The method from Pastor Avery T. Willis that I wrote about yesterday is certainly a good approach. Here are it's elements in order: 1) Hear the word; 2) Think about it; 3) Examine it; 4) Analyze it; 5) Remember it; and 6) Apply it to our lives and our work. In doing this, it's important that allow Scripture (and not mankind) to interpret Scripture. None of us have perfect ability to understand what we read the first time, but because the Bible supplies us with wonderful cross-references, we can use them to enhance our understanding. God is wonderful at explaining what He means. We must also study a Scripture in the context in which it was written. That is why I personally believe it's so important for us to understand Jewish culture, since that's the culture in which the OT prophets, Jesus Christ, and Paul were reared. Precepts Ministries states that suggestion succinctly as "context is king." I would add to this list a fact that believers or potential believers must keep in mind, the parallel truths of God's sovereignty and mankind's responsibility to respond to it. Those of us who are serious students of God's word have been given wonderful references like Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and Zhodiates Word Study Dictionary that allow us to go back to the original language (Hebrew for the OT and Greek for the NT) to get a clearer meaning of the Scripture we are examining. I have been carefully taught to look first at the Bible, using more than one version, if necessary. Then and only then, it's okay to consult a responsible commentary. I believe in this approach and use it. Repetition is one way that God places emphasis on His teaching. We must look for it, and be willing to study the same Scripture over and over again. Often the Holy Spirit gives us fresh insight into a Scripture each time we revisit it. I cannot say enough for the value of memorizing Scripture. It brings unexpected blessings one never imagines will come his way beforehand.
We must remember the full armor that God gives us in dealing with the powers of evil. These are things discussed in EPH 6: 10-20, and they are at our beck and call for our use-blessings given from a loving Abba. Remember: truth-the belt; righteousness-the breastplate; readiness to announce the Gospel of peace-the shoes; faith-the shield; salvation-the helmet; the word of God-the sword; and prayer as led by the Holy Spirit. This is a powerful arsenal of weapons indeed. Using them really does result in chasing away the devil and his followers. Remember the power that David had against the giant, Goliath in 1 SAM 17: 45-47? David had God behind him, and so will we when we use the full armor He has given us Remember Christ's words in JN 8 :32, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
The bottom line is that we don't have face Satan in fear of him. When we endure in faith, overcome the pain and suffering Satan sends us, trust and obey God, we can defeat the adversary. The story of what happened when Christ was tempted in the wilderness in MT 4: 1-11 is proof of the power of God's full armor. Satan doesn't want us to know the truth of the power that God gives believers. He wants us to believe his lies and cower at the sight of him. Because our loving Deity has equipped us so well when we obey His commands, we do not have to give into the devil's desire to frighten us. We can face spiritual warfare with full confidence that our perseverance in obedient and trusting faith in God will lead us on to victory in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: O Lord, You gave the Psalmist wonderful words in PS 119: 113-114 & 117-119. "I hate those who are not completely loyal to You, but love your law. You are my Defender and Protector; I put my hope in Your promise...Hold me, and I will be safe, and I will always pay attention to Your commands. You reject everyone who disobeys Your laws; their deceitful schemes are useless." These sentiments express the truth of Your loving protection given to those who love You and remain faithfully obedient and trusting of You. We come before You today to express what the Psalmist did long ago in PS 119: 169-176 as we face spiritual warfare in our lives. "Let my cry for help reach You, Lord! Give me understanding, as You have promised. Listen to my prayer, and save me according to Your promise! I will always praise You, because You teach me Your laws. I will sing about Your law, because Your commands are just. Always be ready to help me, because I follow Your commands. How I long for Your saving help, O Lord! I find happiness in Your law. Give me life, so that I may praise You; may Your instruction help me. I wander about like a lost sheep; so come and look for me, Your servant, because I have not neglected Your laws." We humbly approach Your altar with confession of our sins, and to offer You our utmost adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, trust, obedience, honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving. We stand before You, Dearest Abba, with our vessels emptied of human agendas, ready and willing to take on whatever part of Your war against Satan You direct. We place our trust in You and pledge to endure through whatever pain and suffering we must face. In Christ's name we will claim the victory. Amen.
Tomorrow, I am led to begin a new segment of my messages on spiritual warfare dealing with the origin of the devil. There's some important "combat intelligence" we are given by the Lord, and this segment will examine it. All of the Lord's power is used for righteousness. Our Lord, Who loves us enough to want us to yield control of our lives to His leadership, does so knowing that we will be led to a life of eternal joy and fellowship with Him. We can be victors over the devil and over second (spiritual) death, because God loves each of us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for us and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Praise be to His name! Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn