Weapons for the Believer: 6 - Prayer

Weapons for the Believer: 6 - Prayer

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 five in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to do so.

The next weapon on the list is prayer.

6. Prayer.

I once visited a young lady in the ICU. She was in grave physical condition. While speaking with her she made a comment that speaks to how most Believers view prayer. She said, “I guess all we can do now is pray.” After all was done by the medical team attending to her care she was still not improving. She had come to the resolve that it was now up to God to help her.

My response to her was simply, “And prayer is enough.” You see, God is ready to hear us whenever we call out to Him. The challenge for the Believer is to pray on the outset instead of under duress. Prayer should be our first alternative, not the last.

This weapon is really the first one we have considered that has within it a sense of offense. However, regular prayer will serve as a great defense. Prayer is our means of communing with our Father. When we pray with the direction of the Holy Spirit we get our spirit in tune with God, and allow Him to speak His heart and wisdom to help us navigate the events that will make up our day.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Paul exhorted those in Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing.” How is that possible? Was Paul just waxing poetic? I don’t think so. I have found that God doesn’t waste words that He placed in the Bible. I have a plausible explanation. If you have another thought on this I’d love to hear it. I do not claim to have the only explanation of this.

First of all, not all prayer is praise, but all praise is prayer. Whenever you give praise to God it is a form of prayer. Secondly, looking at Paul’s words to the Church at Ephesus we see these words.

Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

We are to “be” to the praise of His glory. In other words, as we live our lives in fellowship with God, we are living in a state of prayer to Him, simply “being” with our Father as we walk through each day.

There is a need for times of intentional prayer; times where we bring our concerns to the Lord, and to hear His thoughts about them. Paul said it like this to Timothy.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

A weapon that keeps us a peace is quite a powerful weapon. It reminds me somewhat of the Cold War between the US and USSR. We both had nuclear weapons. Knowing the other had megatons of firepower kept either from attacking. I believe, in a similar way, when we exercise our privilege of prayer we keep the enemy at bay because we remain in close communion with our God. The closer we stay to Father the further the enemy will remain from us.

When praying, there is a place to make requests. Paul used the word “supplications.” Unfortunately, many Believers stop with this type of prayer. The second type of prayer Paul mentioned is simply “prayers.” The Greek word here means “oratory.” In other words, we are to spend time simply talking to the Lord. We should share with Him what is on our mind. He already knows, but praying these things will help us.

The third type of prayer mentioned in 1 Timothy 2 is “intercessions.” This is where we come to God on behalf of another. I have found that I can have more faith praying for others than I can for my own needs. That is the power of intercession. The final type of prayer Paul instructed Timothy to practice is “thanksgivings.” This is self-explanatory, but often is overlooked or forgotten, just like the nine leapers that were healed but did not return to give thanks. Jesus asked the one who returned, “Where are the other nine?” Never neglect thanksgiving to God. We have so many reasons to give thanks.

There is much more that could be said about prayer. This is not the forum for an in-depth look. Just be sure to use prayer in your life as a Believer. It is essential to survive spiritual warfare.

Weapons for the Christian: 5 – The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Weapons for the Christian: 5 – The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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 four in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to do so.

The next weapon on the list is another list. These are referred to as The Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (ESV)

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

5. Be a conduit for the gifts of the Spirit: Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits,

Different Kinds of Tongues, and Interpretation of Tongues. Nine gifts. All are given by the Spirit. This is part of what Jesus promised before ascending to heaven. He said He would send another comforter; One that would remain with us forever.

The Holy Spirit works these gifts in the life of the Believer as He wills. Their purpose is to empower the Believer to be a witness to his world. Not to trivialize them in any fashion, they resemble the “tools” on Batman’s belt. It seems that regardless of how bizarre the situation, of how highly improbable the situation, Batman always had the exact tool needed for the moment.

This is exactly the way the Gifts of the Spirit operate. It makes sense, because the name God chose for Himself is “I AM,” which is interpreted, “I will be what I will be.” God is always what is needed in the moment. His gifts given through the Holy Spirit operate the same way. You can readily see how these make amazing weapons of warfare for the Believer. Because we wage war in the spirit, spiritual gifts are the most appropriate way in which to fight.

When our faith intersects with the Spirit’s power, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished in those moments.

There is not time in this forum to look into each gift in detail. Perhaps later. But, here is a brief look at the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in case you have never seen them. There are nine gifts list by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. Traditionally these have been divided into three groups: The Power Gifts, The Revelation Gifts, and The Speaking Gifts.

            The Power Gifts:                  Faith (or special faith, as some have described it)

                                                            Gifts of Healing (the only plural gift)

                                                            Working of Miracles

            The Revelation Gifts:          Word of Wisdom

                                                            Word of Knowledge

                                                            Discerning of Spirits

            The Speaking Gifts:                        Prophecy

                                                            Tongues

                                                            Interpretation of Tongues

The Power Gifts do something, The Revelation Gifts reveal something, and the Speaking Gifts say something.

Faith – every Believer has faith. This is faith given by the Holy Spirit to believe for things beyond normal Christian life.

Romans 12:3 (ESV)

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Gifts of Healing – it is plural, implying that different gifts manifest different healings, perhaps for a specific ailment or disease.

Working of Miracles – a miracle is anything that happens contrary to the natural laws given by God at creation.

Word of Wisdom – a direct word from the Holy Spirit with information that is not naturally obtainable. Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish that would have a silver coin in its mouth to pay their taxes. That was a Word of Wisdom.

Word of Knowledge – a direct word from the Holy Spirit with information that is naturally obtainable, but unknown to the speaker. Jesus told the woman at the well all of her past. This was natural information supernaturally revealed to Him.

Discerning of Spirits – a direct word from the Holy Spirit revealing the spirit behind a person’s behavior. Jesus knew which spirit was motivating men: God or the devil.

Prophecy – a direct word from the Holy Spirit that brings edification, exhortation, or comfort to one(s) being addressed.

Tongues – a direct word from the Holy Spirit delivered by the speaker in a language other than their own, or one previously learned.

Interpretation of Tongues – a direct word from the Holy Spirit of the meaning of the tongues spoken, delivered by someone that did not know the language spoken. The message given by the interpretation brings edification, exhortation, or comfort to the one(s) being addressed.

You can see that having these “tools” available during day-to-day life, the Believer would be well-equipped to handle any situation that might arise. This is not “Fantasy Island” stuff. This is the real work of the Holy Spirit. Read the text again. Allow the Jesus to show you what He has provided when He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell you. It will greatly assist any spiritual battle you encounter.

Weapons for the Believer: 4 – The Fruit of the Spirit

Weapons for the Believer: 4 – The Fruit of the Spirit

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 three in previous posts. If you haven’t read them I encourage you to take time to do so.

The next weapon on the list is in itself a list. These are referred to as The Fruit of the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:8-11 (ESV)

… Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light (KJV says Spirit) is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

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.

Weapon #4: Bear the fruit of the Spirit – love: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I have seen this list presented a little differently, as I typed it in the statement above. It asserts that the Fruit of the Spirit is love. Then, after inserting a colon, the remainder of this list is given as the Fruit of Love. I don’t believe it would be wrong to consider this notion. I began contemplating this and came up with the following:

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.

As I stated at the outset of this study, I believe God has given us principles by which to live our lives that will keep us from most reasons to fight. This weapon is no different. When we allow the Fruit of the Spirit, which is simply the life of Jesus being manifested in us, we will extinguish most fires before they reach an unmanageable state. When the enemy comes to provoke us, to get us to lash out at others in an unseemly way, our response will determine the outcome.

Considering love to be the Fruit of the Spirit, the indwelling presence of God, makes sense to me. The first 2 weapons considered were: 1) Love God. 2) Love others as you love yourself. Then the third weapon was: 3) Speak the truth in love. This is one of the reasons Jesus came to earth; to reveal the Father’s heart for us. God is love, and His heart is to show His love through you and me.

So, love. Be joyful. Follow peace. Live with patience. Display kindness. Respond with goodness. Remain faithful. Act in gentleness. Stay true to the mission. We are the Body of Christ in the earth. Let others see Jesus through you.

Weapons for the Believer: 3 - Speak the Truth In Love

Weapons for the Believer: 3 - Speak the Truth In Love

A while back I posted a question on FaceBook regarding the weapons of warfare for the Christian. 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.

I listed a few and asked for help with others. When all was said and done the list stood at ten. I’m still open to hearing more if you have other thoughts. Over the next few days we will consider the ten weapons that the Believer has at their disposal. We looked at the first two last time.

The next weapon on the list (and these are in no particular order) has to do with our speech.

3. Speak the truth in love.

By speaking honestly we eliminate the opportunity for the devil to get into the mix. It’s only when we give a place for him that creates the need for warfare.

Ephesians 4:14-16 (ESV)

… so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Do you notice the “Rather” in the middle of these verses? The presence of this word tells us of an alternative to being “tossed to and fro” and falling victim to “craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Speaking the truth in love keeps us from these things. Like we saw with the first two, this weapon (of sorts) is designed to keep us from danger. When you live a transparent life, God’s grace empowers you live above the fray. Pastor Bobby Gourley recently stated it like this. “Transparency leads to humility and humility produces grace. Self-preservation leads to pride and pride produces God’s opposition.”

When we live a transparent life, and speak the truth, it prevents so many stumbling blocks from coming into our path. Telling the truth does not require any extra effort. As a matter of fact, it requires less effort because you don’t have to keep track of what you said and to whom! Give it a try. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will also thwart any attempt at the devil to interfere with your relationships with others.

Speaking truth then opens the door for the second aspect of this weapon; in love. We can speak the truth through clinched teeth, or red-faced with veins popping out of our neck. Yes, that is the truth, but certainly not being communicated in love. Unless you share the love of God along with any truth you want to communicate, all you have become is, as 1 Corinthians 13 says, “clanging brass or tinkling cymbal.” Truth can only have its full impact when delivered wrapped in the bow of God’s love.

I’m excited about this series. I hope you stay tuned as we explore the rest of these weapons of the Believer. I’d love to hear your thoughts.