Praying The Warrior's Prayer

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not aginst flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.

Archive for the tag “christianity”

22 Feb 2013

Pray In The Spirit On All Occasions

A Pray in the Spirit

1. In tongues

The Greek phrase translated “in the Spirit,” in Ephesians 6:18 can also be translated as “with the Spirit,” or “by the Spirit.”  “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God.  Indeed no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his Spirit.  He who speaks in a tongue edifies (lit. “builds up”) himself.” (1 Cor. 14”2,4a)  “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up (edify yourselves) … and pray in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20)

2. With the Spirit’s Help

It is obvious that we are not being told to pray exclusively in tongues, although that is definitely part of praying in the spirit and spiritual warfare.  Paul himself did not pray only in tongues, but in a known language as well.  “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that …god….may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.” (Eph. 1:16-18a)  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We (sometimes) do not know what we out to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)  When the Spirit helps us to pray, it may be in tongues, in English, or simply by groaning or even crying out to God.  The important thing is that it’s not just you praying for what you want, but the Spirit is interceding “in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:27)

B. Praying For All the Saints

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” (Eph. 6:12)  It is not an individual struggle.  Every member of the body of Christ is in a battle against the kingdom of darkness.  “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you.” (Col. 2:1) The struggle being talked about here is intercessory prayer, which Paul is doing “for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:18)  The reason for this struggle is that Christians are continually being attacked by evil spiritual forces and intercessory prayer is necessary to maintain the victory.

C. Praying through

“At that time, I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks.  On the twenty-fourth day of the first month…I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist.  He said…’Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding…your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the Prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days.” (Daniel 10) It was necessary for Daniel to keep on struggling in prayer because of what was happening in the spiritual realm, even though God had heard his prayer and already answered it.

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22 Feb 2013

The Helmet Of Salvation And The Sword Of The Spirit

These two are included together because they are not distinctly separated in the text passage.  At this point, we are ready to enter into fighting.  We are dressed for battle and have our weapon(s) with us.

A. The Helmet of Salvation

1.  The Hope of Salvation

“…putting on…the hope of SALVATION as a HELMET.” (1 Thess. 5:8)  “For in this hope we were saved.” (Romans 8:24a)  “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, (mind, will and emotions), firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)

2.  The Benefits of Salvation

“Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)  “I (Jesus) have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b)  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us.” (1 Peter 1:3)  I tis through the Word that we will gain knowledge of Him and receive everything we need.

B. The Sword of the Spirit

“Take…the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17b)  The Bible is a book, not a sword.  It only becomes a sword when it comes out of our mouths.  The Greek word for “word” used here is “rhema,” which means “utterance” or “spoken word.”  It is not the “logos” (written word) which is the sword, but the rhema.  “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7b)  When Jesus was face to face with the devil, he quoted scripture.  He used the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT , the rhema word of God.  We have a sword.  The devil doesn’t.  When we quote scripture, he can’t resist or overcome it.  There is nothing he can attack us with that we can’t resist or overcome.

C. The Battle For the Mind

1. Anchoring the Soul

The soul is said to consist of the mind, will, and emotions.  We are saved “in hope” (Romans 8:24) and hope is the “anchor for the soul.” (Hebrews 6:19)  Your mind (part of the soul), therefore, can be anchored, or steadied, by hope.  The Greek word for soul can also be translated “mind.”

2. Controlling the Mind

God and Satan battle for control of your mind and thoughts.  Your mind holds the power of choice.  “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:5-7)  “All of us also lived aming them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.” (Eph. 2:3)  “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5)

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22 Feb 2013

Feet Fitted With The Readiness That Comes From The Gospel Of Peace

The piece of armour here is not peace, nor the gospel of peace, but rather the readiness (or preparation in KJV) that comes from the gospel of peace.  It is also not the feet that are to be noted here, but the foot covering.  The Greek and Hebrew words for peace imply “being at one with.”

A. The Characteristics of the Gospel of Peace

1.  Brings Prosperity

“Submit to God and be at PEACE with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” (job 22:21)

2. Promises freedom from fear

“I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid.” (Leviticus 26:6)  Compare with Job 3:25-26a.  “What I feared has come upon me…I have no peace, no quietness.”

3. Comes with obedience

“If only you had paid attention to (obeyed) my commands, your peace would have been like a river.” (Isaiah 48:18)  “’There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked.’” (Isaiah 48:22)

B.  The Effects of The Gospel of Peace

1. Peace with God (The purpose of reconciliation)

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled shall we be saved through His life?” (Romans 5:1,10)

2. Peace with one another (The result of reconciliation)

“Let the PEACE of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to PEACE.” (Col. 3:15)

3. Peace toward all men (The ministry of reconciliation)

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:18,20)

C. Walking in Paths of PEACE

“How beautiful on the mountains are the FEET of those who bring good news (the gospel), you who proclaim PEACE.” (Isaiah 52:7)  “Every place where you set your FOOT will be yours. (your ground)  No man will be able to stand against you.” (Deuteronomy 11:24-25)  Those who walk uprightly enter into PEACE.” (Isaiah 57:2)  “Their FEET rush into sin (the disobedient)…ruin and destruction mark their ways (paths in KJV).  The way (path) of PEACE they do not know; there is no justice in their paths.  They have turned into crooked roads (paths); no one who walks in them will know PEACE.” (Isaiah 59:7-8)  “Great PEACE have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165)

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