Weapons for the Believer 4.1 – The Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

Weapons for the Believer 4.1 – The Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

According to Paul, there are weapons of warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We are considering ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked earlier at The Fruit of the Spirit in the post “Weapons for the Believer 4.” If you haven’t read it I encourage you to do so.  Paul gives us two lists in the passage in Galatians.

Galatians 5:19-24 (ESV)

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

I guess the first list could be called the Fruit of the Flesh. We don’t have to work at getting this fruit in our life. We are born with a sin nature because of the fall of Adam. The “fruit” of the flesh is given as “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” That is some list. As a Believer these should become less evident in your life as you grow in your faith, and in the relationship with your Father, God.

These things are to become less evident as the other “fruit” becomes more prevalent. Once the Holy Spirit comes to live inside the Believer, He brings with Him the life-giving ability known as Grace to enable us to begin to bear The Fruit of the Spirit. Last time I asserted that THE Fruit of the Spirit is “love” and the rest of those listed by Paul flow from that. Even if this was Paul’s meaning, I believe it is worth looking at each fruit more closely, for each one has certain benefits and purpose for the Believer.

At the suggestion of my friend, Dale Moore,  I decided to make a similar list for each fruit like I made for Love. Here is the original list using the first fruit, Love, as the focus.

The Fruit of the Spirit is love.

Joy is love’s emotion.

Peace is love’s guide.

Patience is love’s behavior.

Kindness is love’s demeanor.

Goodness is love’s action.

Faithfulness is love’s testimony.

Gentleness is love’s approach.

Self-control is love’s constraint.

Using Joy as the focus let’s see how it is reflected in our experience with the Lord.

            The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy.

Love is joy’s reward.

Peace is joy’s goal.

Patience is joy’s result.

Kindness is joy’s reflection.

Goodness is joy’s substance.

Faithfulness is joy’s honor.

Gentleness is joy’s touch.

Self-control is joy’s play ground.

You see, joy is not an emotion, it is a force. You don’t “work” to gain joy. Joy given by the Spirit of God tempers everything else. Good day or bad day, joy keeps us focused on the real task at hand; not to be “happy”, but to be a light to a dark world. Joy keeps us on offense, pursuing the Kingdom of God, bringing it here to earth. Joy gives us glimpses of the “now and the not yet” as John described it.

1 John 3:2 (ESV)

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Living the life of the Believer brings joy. However, seeing Jesus, the One who provided joy for us in the first place, will be “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

1 Peter 1:8 (ESV)

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Imagine joy that cannot be expressed! That is the joy brought into our life by the presence of the Holy Spirit. When you allow the Holy Spirit to change you into the likeness of Jesus, joy will come. Embrace it. Allow it to define you.

Weapons for the Believer: 10 – Knowing Your Identity In Christ – Part 2

Weapons for the Believer: 10 – Knowing Your Identity In Christ – Part 2

According to Paul, there are weapons of warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We are considering ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked at the first nine in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to do so.

The last “weapon” we considered was “Knowing Your Identity In Christ.” There are a few more things that need to be said regarding this.

One of the greatest misconceptions among Believers is Humility. A wrong understanding of this one simple area can keep someone from becoming the Christ-like person that God has predestined for every human being.

The following is how many in the Church perceive Humility:

I’m like Gideon, just the poorest of the poor. I’m not able to do much but I sure love Jesus!

I’m just a doorkeeper in the Kingdom. I prefer to work behind the scenes and help where I can.

I just hope I make it to heaven. I’m not worthy, but it’s just the grace of God.

I just want a little cabin in the corner of heaven.

Here’s the funniest, even though I’ve never heard anyone say this personally: I’m just the dirt under the toenail on the feet of Jesus.

This is not humility. When you get to the root of each of these you will find the motivation is actually pride! They want others to notice their humility. That negates the whole thing.

For a great example of humility you need to look at John the Baptist, the real Gideon, and Jesus. You see, real humility is to accept who you are in Christ, and willingly walk in that calling.

When people came to John the Baptist in the wilderness they asked, “Who are you?” He did not reply with, ‘I’m nobody. I’m just out here wearing camel hair and eating wild honey.’” No, he responded with, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the paths of our Lord!” And that, my friend, was somebody! He was not boasting. He was making a statement of fact.

Very few ever attribute “humility” to Jesus regarding His actions, but mostly in His teaching. They know He said, “Turn the other cheek.” But Jesus also said, “I must be about my Father’s business.” He also boldly stated, “If you have seen Me you have seen the Father.” That is most humble thing He could say; admitting who He was and why He was here.

The real story of Gideon is not his apologetic refusal to God when asked to deliver the nation of Israel from captivity. That was pride talking. Gideon was giving God reasons why his own plan was better than the one God had. That is PRIDE!! The humility came in receiving the call and walking in it. Once he “humbled himself” and accepted what God had planned, Gideon was able to do amazing things.

Until you come to grips with who you are in Christ you will wander aimlessly. Some wander into a good outcome. Those are rare, and most are well below the place that God intended for them. However, when you come to the realization that God has a plan and purpose for you, embrace it. Do not be afraid to state it. It is not pride to admit that God has given you an assignment. It is the ultimate demonstration of humility: yielding our life for His.

Let us learn to walk in TRUE humility and see what God will do!

Weapons for the Believer: 10 – Knowing Your Identity In Christ

Weapons for the Believer: 10 – Knowing Your Identity In Christ

According to Paul, there are weapons of warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We are considering ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked at the first nine in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to do so.

The next weapon on the list is knowing our identity in Christ.

One of the first things that I consider to be “revelation” from the Lord was regarding the “Believer’s Identity in Christ.” I was a freshman at Samford University. One of my hall-mates introduced me to a then young minister for Campus Crusade for Christ – Josh McDowell. I listened repeatedly to some of his messages on The Authority of the Believer and our need to Know God.

10. Knowing our identity in Christ,

Once converted, the greatest challenge for the Believer is to know exactly who they are now that their spirit has been recreated and the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in them. John put it like this:

1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Paul said it like this.

1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 (ESV)

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

If you don’t know who you are you will be vulnerable and open to believe what others may try to tell you concerning your identity. The New Testament is filled with statements regarding your identity. Once you know in your heart beyond any shadow of doubt who you are in Christ the enemy has lost a major access into your life.

Here’s a few of the things God wants you to know once you become one of His.

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (ESV)

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV)

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Meditate on these until they get into your spirit. When you live from this perspective you are a force for the Kingdom of God. You will not be easily swayed off course as you pursue the destiny for which you were called.

Weapons for the Believer: 9 – The Armor of God

Weapons for the Believer: 9 – The Armor of God

According to Paul, there are weapons of warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

We are considering ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked at the first eight in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to do so.

The next weapon on the list is the Armor of God.

Whenever “weapons” are mentioned in Christian circles most immediately go to Ephesians 6 where we find a list of items Paul refers to as “the whole armor of God.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,  …

9. The Armor of God,

1) Belt of Truth

2) Breastplate of Righteousness

3) Shoes To Carry the Gospel of Peace

4) Shield of Faith

5) Helmet of Salvation

6) Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)

7) Praying Always

8) Alertness with Perseverance

Like most of the “weapons” we have seen in this series most of these items are intended more for defense than offense. When the Believer is living the life God intends the enemy is kept at bay by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Some of these were considered individually in prior posts, such as “1) Belt of Truth” (Weapon #3: Speak the Truth In Love) and “7) Praying Always” (Weapon #6: Prayer).

2) “Breastplate of Righteousness” is one of the most critical to the Believer because it guards the heart. It is vital to keep our heart safe. When our heart suffers our whole body suffers because the life-giving nutrients are not pumped through our body to keep us strong and healthy. The heart is our access to the things of the Spirit. When we suffer hurt our first tendency is to close our heart to prevent further harm. However, that also closes off our access to the very source of our healing: The Holy Spirit.

The Roman breastplate not only covered the heart but covered the soldier, front and back, from the neck to the waist. When we understand that our righteousness has been given to us through Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, we will be protected from many areas of attack. The enemy cannot cause us harm if we do not give him access. Living from a position of righteousness is a great defense.

3) “Shoes To Carry the Gospel of Peace” is the mission of Believer. Paul quoted Isaiah when he said:

Romans 10:15 (ESV)

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV)

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

There is no greater peace than when you are in right-standing with God!

4) “Shield of Faith” is our access to God. He is already reaching toward you, seeking after you, and compelling you, by the Holy Spirit, to come to Him. Faith is how we connect with Him.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Our greatest hope is the life provided through Jesus, and faith brings it from unseen to seen in our life.

5) “Helmet of Salvation” protects our minds, the greatest battlefield for the Believer. Once you settle your salvation your mind becomes guarded by the confidence you have in Christ. When you follow the pattern Paul gave us in Ephesians as to how God made possible your salvation you will never have to doubt again. Salvation is not filling out a card or shaking a preacher’s hand. It’s not repeating a model prayer or the result of any good works that you may do. Any, or all, of these things may occur in the process, but the only requirement for salvation is this: that we identify our self with Jesus in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension to Father, seated at His right hand, and receive the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to us, along with the gifts that the Spirit brings.

6) “Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)” has to become our daily bread. God has given us 66 books filled with His plan and purpose for every human ever born. It is the only “weapon” Jesus used against the enemy when tempted during His Forty Days in the wilderness. The writer of Hebrews describes the power of God’s Word.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The Word of God, when allowed to do Its work in us, will expose anything that is not part of God’s best for our life.

8) “Alertness with Perseverance” keeps us from the “fowler’s snare” as the psalmist put it. Peter said it like this:

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I recently posted on being “Sober.” If you haven’t read it take a quick moment to read it now. It is time for the Church to understand our place in this earth, and the time is right for us to stand up and be the Body of Christ in our world.