Battle Ready

Post date: Apr 18, 2018 12:40:20 AM

A few years ago I completed a psychological test. One of the questions on that test was; do you hear voices in your head? I took a few seconds to consider my answer and then I chuckled to myself before answering “NO”. Jesus said; "He who has ears to hear let him hear" (Luke 8: 8) It’s true; I listen for God to speak to me. My studies have taught me that there are three sources of influence within my thoughts; the voice of the Lord, the voice of the devil and the voice of self. Each of these voices plays a significant role in determining choice. You can be sure that the right choices will help lead a person toward maturity as the scripture teaches; “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5: 13-14)

2 Timothy 2: 3-4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

A spiritual battle is waged by heaven for the soul of every person born unto man; even the Son of God was not exempt from this heavenly influence. Satan’s first attempt to deceive Jesus came during His wilderness temptations. The scripture records; “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” (Matthew 4: 3) but Jesus being aware of his divinity deflected Satan’s lies with the sword of the spirit. Jesus, the Son of God, had been sent by God to be a light in the darkness. His divine message exposed the thoughts and intentions of the human heart. Intimidated by Jesus’s success the religious leadership were easy targets for the devil’s manipulation. By stoking their ego’s the devil egged them into questioning Jesus’s divine authority, accusing him of scriptural violation and threatening him with stoning and death, however, Jesus who was undeterred by their error remained steadfast in his heavenly resolve.

1 Thessalonians 5: 23 “May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Bible teaches that mankind is created body, soul and spirit. The body is the fleshly part of man that can be seen and touched whereas the soul and the spirit are the invisible areas of our being. The soul encompasses the natural area of man including the emotions, the thoughts, and the will. The spirit is the spiritual part of us that links us to God and is where the conscience resides. Genesis 1: 27 states “God created humankind in His image; in the image of God He created them…”

Luke 18: 15-18 “Then they also brought infants to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

In the gospel of Luke Jesus illustrated the type of faith that one needs to enter the Kingdom of God. The source for Jesus’ illustration was a baby. This usage baffled me at first but after some consideration it occurred to me that a baby uses its natural faith every time that it demands attention. Unable to fend for itself the baby must trust its caregiver for all of its needs. This is the child-like faith that Jesus referenced which takes God at His Word, asks/demands and expects the provision. “…the apostles said unto the Lord increase our faith” (Luke 17:5) Jesus replied; “…a mustard seed size of faith is all that it takes to open the doors of Heaven”.

John 6: 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

It is the spirit that has been made alive by the grace of God through faith when someone has been born anew. Once this occurs they enter spiritual infancy. Our Heavenly Father, like our natural parents begin to nourish its new born with the spiritual milk of the Word. The Holy Scriptures found in the holy bible are the inspired Word of God. God is a Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God, a quickening Spirit. During His earthly ministry Jesus said “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” ( John 6: 63) Jesus is the Word. The Holy Bible contains the written Word. The Holy Spirit is the revealer of the Word. The Word is spiritual manna sent from heaven to nourish the human spirit. Its life producing content feeds the spirit and transforms the soul. For those who heed its counsel they mature into the men and women of faith.

2 Peter 1: 8 “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you will never stumble…”

The Old Testament prophet Hosea rightly declared; “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4: 6) While addressing the Jewish leadership Jesus stated; “Did you never read in the scriptures, “The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner…Therefore say I unto you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew 21: 42-43) The New Testament Apostle Paul identified that nation as the “New Testament believers”. These persons “…have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Colossians 3:16) Jesus made reference to them as well when he ministered to a Samaritan woman. He prophesied; “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father is seeking such to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4: 23-24) These worshipers are believers who have had their scriptural understanding enlightened by the Holy Spirit and have learned to follow His leading.

Ephesians 6: 11-17 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness; having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”