Post by Zac Loh on Sept 22, 2007 0:46:54 GMT -5
Light And Darkness: Faith And Intimidation
The Shield Of Faith: Put On The Faith Of Christ
This is when the rubber meets the road. This is when the going gets tough, and the tough gets going.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Fiery darts were used during the night warfare in defending the fort. The Roman army was an invading army.
This tells us a lot on our posture of faith. We are invading the territory of the enemy with the gospel.
The defenders standing at the wall of the fort, the using of arrows was a definite advantage because of the height: for better vision. And add-in the advantage of height for the force of gravity. Arrows could travel; the defenders could fight from a distance. The fiery darts served the defenders two purposes.
Firstly, with fiery arrows in night warfare, either stuck to the ground or to the soldiers, it lights up and exposes the attackers.
Secondly, the lighted pathways of the fiery darts which were approaching the attackers, served as a tool of intimidation. The movements could be slowed down, and the formations might be dispersed. When the formations of the attackers break down, then the attack will be in disarray.
In such an attack, every Roman soldier has a shield which protects him from head and toe. Therefore we are urged to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
We know our unified purpose. We know our calling in this world is to the lost souls. Let’s be strengthened in this purpose. We do not deviate. We move in a steady pace, keeping to the formation. The devil wants to focus our attention on the fiery darts. The devil targets our hearts and minds with fearful thoughts. He uses people in circumstances and situations to intimidate us. We might have to face persecution. The devil’s aim is to cause us to look at our circumstances and situations - and capitulate.
Use the shield of faith to extinguish these fiery darts. Do not let fearful thoughts enter us.
Trust God. Do not be fearful nor be dismayed.
As Jesus said, the devil can destroy your body but not your soul (Matthew 10:26-28). Fear God more, and you will not fear the devil. You have an eternal future in bliss and you will be greatly rewarded then.
God chose to use night warfare scenario to tell us that the lost souls are in darkness. This is a night attack. And we are the light of the world!
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
The main weakness of the fort is the gates. The attackers use battering rams to break open the gates.
The teaching on the armor was not related only to a single Roman soldier, but also to a formation. They march to attack in formations. Formation speaks of unity.
Read again verses 18-20 of our primary text (Ephesians 6:14-20):
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)
The Roman military was strong because of the discipline from soldier to army level. They moved in a highly cohesive manner of attack.
The lost souls are captured in the strongholds (or forts) of Satan through the control of darkness in their hearts and minds. The source of this darkness is the spiritual system functioning in the world which we live-in. In order to save the lost souls, we will have to break into the strongholds in their hearts and minds.
The battering rams that break down the gates of Hades (hell) are the truth of Christ. Jesus builds His church based on the very powerful revelation about Himself. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. This revelation is Christ Himself, the Son of the Living God. This revelation together with unified prayer is the battering ram. We live, preach and teach Christ to the world. And, we pray together in unity towards this unified purpose.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16-19)
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Mathew 18:18-20)
By cross referencing these two portions of scripture i.e. Matthew 16:16-19 and Matthew 18:18-20; we know that when two or three of us gather in Jesus name in prayer; we are advancing the church, and we have the power to bind `every thought of arguments, high things (1 Corinthians 10:3-5)’ in specific people to break open the gates of their strongholds.
In prayer, we bind the strongman of the stronghold which is the controlling demonic spirits from Satan. And when we loose, we are breaking open the gates!
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. (Matthew 12:25-30)
With division, we will not be able to defeat our enemy Satan. But, with unified prayer, we are very powerful.
What we bind and loose: it will be done in heaven, in the courtroom of heaven, where the throne of God is. And then, it will be executed on earth through the angels of God who minister to the lost.
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
Jesus Walked Through The Crowd
Throughout history, rulers, kings and emperors – uses intimidation - to control, to pacify and to subjugate others.
In the book of Exodus of the Bible, we read how the Egyptian Pharaoh used intimidation to hold captive, and to hold back the people of God. But God used Moses, who is a typology of Jesus Christ, to prove that our God is more powerful and more so to be feared.
So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (Luke 4:28-30)
Jesus knew His time. He knew His time of death hadn’t arrived. Because He put His trust in God His Father, He had this supernatural faith. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will reveal to us things to come (John 16:13). When we put our trust in God, we will know whether our time has arrived or not, we will have the same supernatural faith.
The shield of faith is the supernatural faith which can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one - all the doubtful, discouraging and fearful thoughts.
Satan might stir-up relationships, circumstances and situations - to try to cast discouragement and fear upon our minds. Jesus and every one of His servants were persecuted for the sake of the gospel (Mark 5:11-12), yet they overcame.
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:27-31)
If you are not witnessing the gospel to others, the devil wouldn’t have come that far. Even if you bear the brunt of it, and everything that could go wrong, went wrong …do not be fearful nor be dismayed …put-up the shield of faith ...be strong and courageous!
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you ... And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:6&8)
The peace that God has given you inside cannot be shaken. This peace will be noticed by others. They cannot understand it. But they may want it.
Continue to increase and refresh your knowledge of Christ. Seek to live Christ daily as much as you know Him. Continue to have an on-going relationship with God thorough prayer. Get right with God whenever you find yourself sinning.
Continue to share the gospel whenever an opportunity arises. Trust God for your future.
Light And Darkness: Eternal And Temporal
The Helmet Of Salvation: Put On The Future Of Christ
...you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13b-14)
that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18b)
When Satan could not frighten you, he will tempt you. When he cannot stop you in your cause, he uses earthly attractions to distract you from your course.
Helmet is for the head where the thinking activities take place: our thinking cap.
If we are earthly minded, then there is no place there for the gospel of eternal salvation of Jesus Christ. If we are not thinking of heaven for ourselves, then we will certainly not be thinking of heaven for others.
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time - houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions - and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)
Earthly temptations are temporal. Everyone will die. It is not a sad fact, but a happy thought for those who have been redeemed!
Light And Darkness: The Mouth Of Christ And The Mouth Of Satan
The Sword Of The Spirit: Put On The Word Of Christ
He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Revelation 1:16)
The sword of the Spirit is in the mouth. A soldier engages the enemy with a sword. A sword against a sword.
All unbelievers are easily influenced by the devil on way or another. As such, demonic spirits can influence the heart and thoughts of an unbeliever - speaking through that unbeliever.
These demonic words are aimed to negate, or pervert, the message of Christ. They could take the form of false subtle deceptive reasoning or false teachings. They could take the form of ridicule behavior to intimidate us. They could take the form of confrontation to prod us to a foolish response or to threaten us so as to shake our spiritual position and belief. They could take the form of sweet talk to lure us, and make us soft, to break us down.
Whenever we share the gospel, we are to let the Holy Spirit speak through us. Then our words will be powerful.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
In Acts 2:13, some of the observers were mocking the behavior of the people of God who appeared to be drunk with alcohol. In real fact, these people of God were drunk with the Holy Spirit who filled them to overflowing. By the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke-up to explain. And he followed-up with the preaching of the gospel. We read in verse 37 that the observers were cut to the heart by the words of the Holy Spirit spoken through Peter. This is what it means by the sword of the Spirit. In that day, three thousand souls who gladly received Peter’s word were saved and baptized (verse 41).
As for the Roman soldier, the sheath for the sword was an extended part of the belt around his waist (the truth of Christ).
That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - (Ephesians 4:14-15)
How Did Jesus Counter Satan’s Words?
In the passage Matthew 3:16 - 4:10, it described the way Satan used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. Do you see the way Satan twisted-and-turned the truth?
The only way to counter deception is to speak the truth by the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit was the one Who led Jesus into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit is the one Who will bring us into remembrance of the scripture that He wants us to use against the enemy of darkness (John 14:26).
But how can the Holy Spirit bring into remembrance if we don’t even read the Bible!
Speak that scripture into the spirit realm against the demonic spirits hovering over our minds, confronting us with thoughts. In the same manner, speak the truth before men in love because they are under the stronghold of spirit of deception.
The Shield Of Faith: Put On The Faith Of Christ
This is when the rubber meets the road. This is when the going gets tough, and the tough gets going.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Fiery darts were used during the night warfare in defending the fort. The Roman army was an invading army.
This tells us a lot on our posture of faith. We are invading the territory of the enemy with the gospel.
The defenders standing at the wall of the fort, the using of arrows was a definite advantage because of the height: for better vision. And add-in the advantage of height for the force of gravity. Arrows could travel; the defenders could fight from a distance. The fiery darts served the defenders two purposes.
Firstly, with fiery arrows in night warfare, either stuck to the ground or to the soldiers, it lights up and exposes the attackers.
Secondly, the lighted pathways of the fiery darts which were approaching the attackers, served as a tool of intimidation. The movements could be slowed down, and the formations might be dispersed. When the formations of the attackers break down, then the attack will be in disarray.
In such an attack, every Roman soldier has a shield which protects him from head and toe. Therefore we are urged to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
We know our unified purpose. We know our calling in this world is to the lost souls. Let’s be strengthened in this purpose. We do not deviate. We move in a steady pace, keeping to the formation. The devil wants to focus our attention on the fiery darts. The devil targets our hearts and minds with fearful thoughts. He uses people in circumstances and situations to intimidate us. We might have to face persecution. The devil’s aim is to cause us to look at our circumstances and situations - and capitulate.
Use the shield of faith to extinguish these fiery darts. Do not let fearful thoughts enter us.
Trust God. Do not be fearful nor be dismayed.
As Jesus said, the devil can destroy your body but not your soul (Matthew 10:26-28). Fear God more, and you will not fear the devil. You have an eternal future in bliss and you will be greatly rewarded then.
God chose to use night warfare scenario to tell us that the lost souls are in darkness. This is a night attack. And we are the light of the world!
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
The main weakness of the fort is the gates. The attackers use battering rams to break open the gates.
The teaching on the armor was not related only to a single Roman soldier, but also to a formation. They march to attack in formations. Formation speaks of unity.
Read again verses 18-20 of our primary text (Ephesians 6:14-20):
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)
The Roman military was strong because of the discipline from soldier to army level. They moved in a highly cohesive manner of attack.
The lost souls are captured in the strongholds (or forts) of Satan through the control of darkness in their hearts and minds. The source of this darkness is the spiritual system functioning in the world which we live-in. In order to save the lost souls, we will have to break into the strongholds in their hearts and minds.
The battering rams that break down the gates of Hades (hell) are the truth of Christ. Jesus builds His church based on the very powerful revelation about Himself. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. This revelation is Christ Himself, the Son of the Living God. This revelation together with unified prayer is the battering ram. We live, preach and teach Christ to the world. And, we pray together in unity towards this unified purpose.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16-19)
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Mathew 18:18-20)
By cross referencing these two portions of scripture i.e. Matthew 16:16-19 and Matthew 18:18-20; we know that when two or three of us gather in Jesus name in prayer; we are advancing the church, and we have the power to bind `every thought of arguments, high things (1 Corinthians 10:3-5)’ in specific people to break open the gates of their strongholds.
In prayer, we bind the strongman of the stronghold which is the controlling demonic spirits from Satan. And when we loose, we are breaking open the gates!
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. (Matthew 12:25-30)
With division, we will not be able to defeat our enemy Satan. But, with unified prayer, we are very powerful.
What we bind and loose: it will be done in heaven, in the courtroom of heaven, where the throne of God is. And then, it will be executed on earth through the angels of God who minister to the lost.
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
Jesus Walked Through The Crowd
Throughout history, rulers, kings and emperors – uses intimidation - to control, to pacify and to subjugate others.
In the book of Exodus of the Bible, we read how the Egyptian Pharaoh used intimidation to hold captive, and to hold back the people of God. But God used Moses, who is a typology of Jesus Christ, to prove that our God is more powerful and more so to be feared.
So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (Luke 4:28-30)
Jesus knew His time. He knew His time of death hadn’t arrived. Because He put His trust in God His Father, He had this supernatural faith. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will reveal to us things to come (John 16:13). When we put our trust in God, we will know whether our time has arrived or not, we will have the same supernatural faith.
The shield of faith is the supernatural faith which can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one - all the doubtful, discouraging and fearful thoughts.
Satan might stir-up relationships, circumstances and situations - to try to cast discouragement and fear upon our minds. Jesus and every one of His servants were persecuted for the sake of the gospel (Mark 5:11-12), yet they overcame.
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:27-31)
If you are not witnessing the gospel to others, the devil wouldn’t have come that far. Even if you bear the brunt of it, and everything that could go wrong, went wrong …do not be fearful nor be dismayed …put-up the shield of faith ...be strong and courageous!
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you ... And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:6&8)
The peace that God has given you inside cannot be shaken. This peace will be noticed by others. They cannot understand it. But they may want it.
Continue to increase and refresh your knowledge of Christ. Seek to live Christ daily as much as you know Him. Continue to have an on-going relationship with God thorough prayer. Get right with God whenever you find yourself sinning.
Continue to share the gospel whenever an opportunity arises. Trust God for your future.
Light And Darkness: Eternal And Temporal
The Helmet Of Salvation: Put On The Future Of Christ
...you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13b-14)
that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18b)
When Satan could not frighten you, he will tempt you. When he cannot stop you in your cause, he uses earthly attractions to distract you from your course.
Helmet is for the head where the thinking activities take place: our thinking cap.
If we are earthly minded, then there is no place there for the gospel of eternal salvation of Jesus Christ. If we are not thinking of heaven for ourselves, then we will certainly not be thinking of heaven for others.
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time - houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions - and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)
Earthly temptations are temporal. Everyone will die. It is not a sad fact, but a happy thought for those who have been redeemed!
Light And Darkness: The Mouth Of Christ And The Mouth Of Satan
The Sword Of The Spirit: Put On The Word Of Christ
He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Revelation 1:16)
The sword of the Spirit is in the mouth. A soldier engages the enemy with a sword. A sword against a sword.
All unbelievers are easily influenced by the devil on way or another. As such, demonic spirits can influence the heart and thoughts of an unbeliever - speaking through that unbeliever.
These demonic words are aimed to negate, or pervert, the message of Christ. They could take the form of false subtle deceptive reasoning or false teachings. They could take the form of ridicule behavior to intimidate us. They could take the form of confrontation to prod us to a foolish response or to threaten us so as to shake our spiritual position and belief. They could take the form of sweet talk to lure us, and make us soft, to break us down.
Whenever we share the gospel, we are to let the Holy Spirit speak through us. Then our words will be powerful.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
In Acts 2:13, some of the observers were mocking the behavior of the people of God who appeared to be drunk with alcohol. In real fact, these people of God were drunk with the Holy Spirit who filled them to overflowing. By the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke-up to explain. And he followed-up with the preaching of the gospel. We read in verse 37 that the observers were cut to the heart by the words of the Holy Spirit spoken through Peter. This is what it means by the sword of the Spirit. In that day, three thousand souls who gladly received Peter’s word were saved and baptized (verse 41).
As for the Roman soldier, the sheath for the sword was an extended part of the belt around his waist (the truth of Christ).
That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - (Ephesians 4:14-15)
How Did Jesus Counter Satan’s Words?
In the passage Matthew 3:16 - 4:10, it described the way Satan used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. Do you see the way Satan twisted-and-turned the truth?
The only way to counter deception is to speak the truth by the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit was the one Who led Jesus into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit is the one Who will bring us into remembrance of the scripture that He wants us to use against the enemy of darkness (John 14:26).
But how can the Holy Spirit bring into remembrance if we don’t even read the Bible!
Speak that scripture into the spirit realm against the demonic spirits hovering over our minds, confronting us with thoughts. In the same manner, speak the truth before men in love because they are under the stronghold of spirit of deception.