Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Leading Edge
When we are fighting against the enemy, we do not stand alone. Not only that, we do not stand defenseless. Paul tells us how to fight and what keeps us safe. The edge of the blade we cut the enemy with, the leading edge, is not scripture.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Here Paul says it begins with God. It is His power. We protect ourselves with truth wrapped around, the breastplate which covers our heart is our righteousness which is in part our attempts to do good. For example, if we keep the Torah, we attempt to do good works. More importantly we have the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
It is this same faith which is the protector of our minds, our helmet, which is our salvation. Our salvation is through faith. So our heart and our mind is protected by our faith in Jesus. And we are lead to that through the Law, according to Paul.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Finally, in the end, we have the sword of the Spirit. Many think that this is the bible. According to this scripture, it is not. According to this scripture the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is the rhema of God, which in the Greek means the utterance of God. Paul goes on to explain that this is the praying in the Spirit. If we are to overcome the enemy, we are to use this to pray without ceasing, to pray on behalf of all believers. This is the weapon we have been given.
Today, if you want to join in the battle, pray in the Spirit and watch God destroy the works of the enemy in your life and in the lives of those for whom You pray.
Prayer
Father, we long for You to be with us. We exalt You as our King. You are our Father, always looking out for us. Please send us today Your kingdom. Please send us today Your power and Your provision in abundance. Help us to remember to pray in the Spirit. Forgive us when we fall. Keep us from evil. Heal and deliver us. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.