How Do We Combat Satan?

How do we fight the good fight of faith in Christ Jesus?

So, just who is the enemy of Christians and indeed all mankind and how can we fight someone we can’t see?

The Bible tells us that our enemy is of course Satan or the Devil, the two names by which he is most commonly known. He is the one who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He enticed them to disobey God and thus sin entered the World and caused the fall of mankind. And because Satan did this God put enmity between him and man.

Genesis 1:14-15

14 The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,

You are cursed more than all the cattle,

And more than any animal of the field;

On your belly you shall go,

And dust you shall eat

All the days of your life.

15 “And I will put enmity (open hostility)

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed;

He shall [fatally] bruise your head,

And you shall [only] bruise His heel.”

When we examine the above two verses, we see that verse 14 is purely a physical curse and verse 15 is a spiritual curse.

Let me try and explain this in this way, because Satan was not created as human or animal, he is a spiritual being and thus he cannot be seen by the human eye. The only way Satan could get himself to be seen by Eve was to take possession of a physical body and in this instance, he chose the snake’s body.

He was unable to take possession of either Adam or Eve’s body as they had not yet sinned. Satan can only take possession of a human through sin and animals have no spirit or soul as human beings do, so Satan was able to enter and take possession of the snake and communicate through it. We have an example of God doing this with Balaam’s donkey in the Old Testament, but that story is for another time!

Up to this time we can safely assume that the snake was able to stand upright because God, the creator of all life, commanded that from that time on the snake would slither on its belly in the dust, thus indicating that the snake didn’t previously do that!

And to Satan God decreed that he and man would be enemies for all time!

Now here is where things get really interesting!

God says in verse 15 that the enmity would be between Satan’s seed (offspring) and Eve’s Seed.

There is a subtle nuance in this verse in that Satan’s seed has a lower case ‘s’ in seed and Eve’s seed has an upper case ‘S’ in seed.

Satan’s seed therefore, because he is unable to create, are those that deny God and are in disobedience to Him and are thus His enemies as Satan himself is.

Eve’s Seed refers to Jesus and ultimately all those that believe in Him, the Church! Many consider this verse the protevangelium (protoevangelium is a compound of two Greek words, protos meaning "first" and evangelion meaning "good news" or "gospel")., the first announcement of the gospel. This is the first prophecy about the Messiah (Christ), who through His death on the cross and resurrection would ultimately defeat Satan, the power behind the serpent and indeed all evil that men do!

In Luke 3 we are given Jesus’ lineage through his mother Mary, which goes right back to Adam and thus substantiates the first half of Genesis 3:15,

“And I will put enmity (open hostility)

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed;”

In Romans 16, Paul corroborates the second half of Genesis 3:15:

He shall [fatally] bruise your head,

And you shall [only] bruise His heel.”

With this:

Romans 16:20 (NIV)

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

And this in Galatians:

Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

And in the book of Revelation we are told this:

Revelation 12:17 (NIV) – brackets are mine

Then the dragon (Satan the serpent) was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus (His Church).

Okay, now the scene has been set, let’s get back to our topic of, “How do we Combat Satan?”

To start we must become born-again. We must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, repent of our sin and be baptised, and follow Him in the power of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Word of God, the teachings of the Bible. Not the fanciful teachings of man but the teachings of the Bible. Jesus Christ and Him crucified!

John 3:3 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

Acts 2:38 (NIV)

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

There are a number of extremely comforting scriptures that we all know, yet I think that even though we know them, we don’t let them permeate our hearts, our minds and our very being, we really do need to appropriate them. Jesus has already defeated Satan and He has given us of His authority!

Some of these scriptures are:

Luke 9:1-2 (NIV)

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 10:18-19 (NIV)

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

John 16:33 (NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James 4:7 (NIV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

So, you see that we have an already defeated foe, but only when we have Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, are fully repentant and living a holy and righteous life in Christ Jesus in full compliance to God’s Word.

We are in the world yet not of the world. We must contend with the ruler of this world, Satan, and as the scripture says, as Christ has overcome, so in Him we can too! Our fight is not against any man, government or organisation, our fight is a spiritual one.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

The above verses gives us a good solid foundation in our ‘spiritual war’ with Satan.

We, as Christians, are called out of the World even though we still live in it and anyone who is still a friend of the World is an enemy of God. Don't get involved with the things that the world does, don't bring worldly things into the Church. You have been set apart, called out of the world!

James 4:4 (NIV)

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

How are we spiritually fed and equipped for our spiritual war?

Just like any natural army we need to be well fed (like the adage, an army marches on its stomach) and we need to be well equipped.

But our feeding and equipping is not of this world, so what is it? Let’s take a look at these scriptures first:

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

So, my fellow brothers in arms, how are we fed?

That’s right, you got it! The Word of God, the Bread of Life! How did our Lord Jesus rebuke the devil and resist temptation in the wilderness? By quoting the Word!

Jesus is the Word – the Word is Jesus. 

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH AND EVERY BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN TO KNOW, UNDERSTAND AND BE OBEDIENT TO THE WORD OF GOD!

John 1:1-5 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The more you study the Word, the closer you’ll get to Jesus – the closer you get to Jesus the more you will understand the Word.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

So, just to re-cap, how we are fed:

• By having a personal relationship with Jesus – being born again.

• By studying, understanding and knowing the Word of God.

• By speaking the Word of God.

• By being filled with the Holy Spirit and being led by Him.

Now, how do we equip ourselves for the battle against Satan?

All the above, naturally! Plus, and most importantly:

Put on the full armour of God

This is a key passage of scripture that is essential for all born again believers to know and implement in order to be a relevant an effective spiritual warrior in the Kingdom of God. It is important for us to examine the verses in some detail.

In his writing of these verses, I think we need understand that Paul would have been very familiar with the Roman soldier dressed in full battle armour, after all he was escorted by Roman soldiers on more than a few occasions. He also knew that no Roman soldier would ever dream of going into battle without putting on his full battle armour. The Roman soldier was probably the best protected soldier of the time, and his armour was designed to be effective against most enemy weapons of the time.

It was probably the Roman soldier that Paul had in mind when he was describing the Armour of God as it would have been very identifiable for his readers at that time.

Ephesians 6:10-18 Full Armour of God

Verses 10-13
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

In these four verses Paul is giving us a pre-battle pep talk. He knows what battles we’re going to face in our daily walk because he’s been there and done it. He’s been whipped, stoned, imprisoned, left for dead, bitten by a poisonous snake and for good measure, whipped some more. He knows we’re facing a spiritual battle and he tells us to be prepared and make sure that we clothe ourselves in God’s protection – the Armour of God. When we do this, we will be able to stand firm and strong in the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit. We will then be fully equipped to overcome the enemy in Christ Jesus!

Verse 14
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

On a Roman soldier it is the belt that holds the other pieces of body armour in place, and it is on the belt that the sword is hung. When a Roman soldier had finished putting on his body armour he would gird his loins with a belt as described above. This meant that he was now ready for service and to go into battle. So what Paul is saying here is that we need to gird ourselves to do battle with the belt of truth which is our integrity and right standing in Christ Jesus and our walking in the Spirit.

The breastplate of a soldier’s armour does as it says it covers the breast, the area between the waist and the shoulders. It protects the soldier’s vital organs and most significantly it protects the heart.

For the soldier of the flesh the breastplate is made of iron. For us, the spiritual soldier, our breastplate is made of our righteousness in Christ Jesus (stronger than anything else), our righteousness protects our hearts and minds from the attack of the evil one! We all know that the Devil constantly attacks our hearts and minds with lies, accusations and reminders of our past sin. If we do not clothe ourselves with the breastplate of righteousness the Devil’s lying arrows will penetrate our hearts and render us null and void. Be aware of who you are in Christ Jesus and come boldly into His presence and he will fill you with his Holy Spirit who will cement your righteousness in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:16). Don’t try and take on the enemy without first praying and then being led by the Holy Spirit with all your armour on!

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Verse 15
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Now, keeping the Roman soldier in mind, what did he wear of his feet when marching and going into battle? He wore heavy duty, hobnailed boots called Caligae – no Roman soldier marched or went into battle without them! They were the strongest footwear going at the time.

For the battle shoes of the Church, the spiritual soldier, we need to put on the peace that comes from the Good News of the Gospel in Christ Jesus so that you will be fully prepared. Our spiritual shoes (our peace in Christ Jesus) allow us to step freely and without fear while we turn our full attention to the battle at hand. They aid in our movement and defence. The peace God gives us will propel us onward to proclaim the true peace, which is available only in Christ Jesus. The peace that surpasses all understanding. We need to prepare ourselves to follow the Lord no matter what.

Verse 16
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The shield not only defends the Roman soldier’s whole body but also His armour. The shield of faith has a very specific function, which the Bible makes abundantly clear: it will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Not some, not most but all of them. The shield moves with the attack no matter what direction it is coming from. This is the kind of faith that Moses had when he confronted Pharaoh to let Israel go. It is the kind of faith that Elijah had when he confronted the prophets of Baal, the faith David had when he fought Goliath, the kind of faith Jesus has and that he gives to us today through the Holy Spirit! 

Hebrews 11:6

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Verse 17
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Roman soldier’s helmet was made of iron and was strong enough to withstand a number of hefty sword or spiked battle club blows. It covered the whole head and the back of the neck with just slits for the eyes and for the mouth. It even had an iron pieces to protect the bridge of the nose and the cheeks.

Satan's favourite target is our mind. We have often heard that our minds are the devil’s playground. Satan's weapons are lies and false accusations. The enemy wants to make us doubt God and our salvation. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from doubting the truth of God's saving work in us. 

1 Thessalonians 5:8

"Since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armour of faith and love on our chests and put on the Helmet of the Hope of Salvation" 

The Roman soldier’s sword was light and short and ideal for hand-to-hand combat where short, stabbing motions were required. It was not only a weapon of offense but was also ideal for defence as well.

The believer, as a spiritual soldier, always needs to be prepared to go head to head and toe to toe with the devil.

The sword of the Spirit – the Bible, the Word of God, is not only a weapon of offense in the armour, but also a tool for defence. Strongholds, arguments and thoughts are all weapons the enemy uses against us. With the Sword of the Spirit, God's word, the Church is equipped to deal with them all. We need to trust in the truth of God's Word. Have confidence in the value of God's word and develop a hunger and desire to know it and study it.

When Jesus went head to head with the devil in the desert – Mattew 41:11 – he used the Word to defeat him and resist temptation - "IT IS WRITTEN". We need to be prepared to battle the enemy in the same way. By the Word of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Verse 18
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

And last but not by any means least, prayer! Every believer and the Church corporately, need to be constantly in prayer. Praying in the Spirit and praying in our understanding. Praying the Word into our lives and into the lives of others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, Eph 6:12, and so we always need to be in the Spirit – walking in the Spirit.

The battle is won in the heavenly realms. Prayer is an integral part of our worship of God – it should never be neglected. Praying in our understanding and praying in the Spirit always!

Matt 18:18 (KJV)

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

• Be sober-minded and watchful – 1 Pe 5:8 (AMP) Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

• Do not make a practice of sinning, be obedient to the Word in every way – 1 Jn 3:8a Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

• Submit yourself to God in every way - James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• Give the devil no opportunity in your life – Eph 4:27 And give no opportunity to the devil.

• Practice righteousness in your daily walk with Christ and love your brother – 1 Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

• Be quick to forgive, do not hold unforgiveness in your heart – 2 Co 2:10-11 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

• Take up your authority in Christ Jesus – Lk 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

• Be vigilant - 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

• Pray continually – 1 Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Remember that when you gave your life to Jesus you also became a member of His army. We don’t glorify Satan in any way, but we do need to know him as our enemy so that we can resist him! Your enemy is not your spouse, your boss, your neighbour or any other flesh and blood – your enemy is a spiritual being, who uses his spiritual minions to manipulate flesh and blood! Our battle is won in the spiritual realm – be prayer warriors in Christ Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father
I pray that you would help me, Lord, to be ever vigilant and alert so that I can resist the devil as I go about my life. Help me Lord to make time to feed on your word and draw closer to Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do not let me forget to rejoice in you always and pray continually and help me to clothe myself in the full armour of God and never take it off that I may being glory to your name. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the name above all names!

Those Who Are in the Realm of the Flesh Cannot Please God!

 There is only one way for a born-again Christian to live - Life in the Spirit!

In Romans 8 Paul gives the most wonderful exposition of how we, as believers, can live life in the Spirit with the Holy Spirit working in us and through us to the glory of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour – the Lord of lords, the King of kings and the Name above all names.

Before we look into this chapter, let’s take some time to examine its author, the apostle Paul. Doing this will give us a greater understanding of the authority and understanding he had in writing about spiritual matters for our purposes, and ‘life in the Spirit’ in particular.

Paul (still called Saul at this stage) before his conversion

In the book of Philippians, Paul describes who he was before his conversion to Christianity when he was called Saul.

By his own admission he was:

• A Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee of Pharisees
• The Persecutor-in-Chief of Christians
• A highly rated scholar of the ‘Law’
• Supremely confident in his own flesh
• He was a self-made man

Philippians 3:4b-6 (NIV)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

The Christians of the time were very afraid of Saul of Tarsus! He was a thoroughly nasty and extremely religious zealot! But even more nasty than this, he was an instigator of, and an accomplice to murder. He was present at, and gave his approval to the murder of Stephen, a true man of God!

Acts 7:57-60 (NLT)

57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Acts 8:1 (NLT)

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Saul’s sole purpose in life at this stage was to eradicate Christianity and he made it his personal mission to persecute the believers wherever he could find them. He wanted to destroy the Church!

Acts 9:1-2 (NLT)

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

Paul’s dramatic conversion

Enlightenment on the Damascus highway! God can change anybody.

Acts 9:3-4 (NIV)

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

One-minute breathing out murderous threats, the next slain under the power of the Holy Spirit, lying in the dirt as blind as a bat with Jesus talking to him, asking him why he was persecuting him – the Church!

God knows exactly where you are, physically and spiritually and He knows exactly what you are doing! There is no place to hide from God. He knows exactly what we are doing and thinking at all times, don’t waste your trying to hide things from Him!

Let’s have a look at what happened to Saul after this encounter with Jesus and the Holy Spirit on the road to Damascus.

Saul was blind and did not eat and drink for three days

Acts 9:7-9

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

God sent Ananias to pray for him.

Acts 9:11-16

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the .harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Ananias lays hands on Paul and prays for him and he receives his sight and at the same time he is baptized in the Holy Spirit and is also water baptised

Acts 9:17-19

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

This was the pinnacle turning point in Paul’s life. After this all the zeal and enthusiasm that he had used to persecute the Church was turned around and focused on preaching the gospel with great power followed by signs, wonders and miracles – just as Jesus did. The Holy Spirit wants to do the same with us!

Paul’s preparation for ministry

Paul tells us in Galatians that the gospel message he preaches did not come out of any human reasoning, but it came by direct revelation from Jesus himself through the Holy Spirit..

Galatians 1:11-12 (NIV)

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:15-17 (NIV)

15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

In the above verses Paul tells us as well that after his conversion he did not go Jerusalem to consult with the other apostles but went to immediately start his calling in Christ Jesus which was to preach to the Gentiles. He did this in Damascus for a while and then by going into Arabia for nearly three years before returning to Damascus. This was Paul’s training ground for living life in the Spirit.

It was during this period, whilst preaching to the Gentiles, that he received the true revelation of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit! Divine revelation! This is how he was able to write with such authority and with such deep conviction about living life in the Spirit.

Let’s examine the below verses from Philippians 3:

Philippians 3:3-9 (NLT)

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

In the above verses from 3-6 Paul tells us about his academic pedigree and self-ability before his encounter with Jesus. This is what he says about himself in verses 5-6:

• I was circumcised (in the flesh)
• I am a pure-blooded Israelite
• I am a Benjamite
• I am a Hebrew
• I am a Pharisee
• I was zealous
• I harshly persecuted
• I was self-righteousness
• I obeyed the law

He was definitely an “I” specialist!

Now, let’s see what he says about himself after his encounter with Jesus when he is born-again, when his heart has been circumcised! Verses 7-9:

• I now consider these things (the things bulleted above) worthless
• For Jesus I have discarded everything else
• Everything I knew before Jesus is garbage
• I can now become one with Jesus
• I am no longer self-righteous
• My righteousness comes from my faith in Jesus
• Circumcision of the heart through the Holy Spirit
• God’s way (through faith in Jesus) makes us right with Him

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians a number of years after his conversion, so he was able to write it with such confidence and conviction because he had by then actual life experience of being led and taught by the Holy Spirit who brings us divine revelation.

This is the very thing that Jesus meant when he spoke these words:

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

It is the Holy Spirit that prepares us for the life that God intends us to live in Christ Jesus! Without him and our faith in Jesus we will not be overcomers.

John 16:33 (NLT)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Life in the Spirit is a must for all believers of every generation as Jesus and the Word are one and they never change. What applies to one of us applies to all.

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Without living life in the Spirit, we will not become more like Jesus – we will not be changed into his glorious image. The more we eagerly desire the things of the Spirit and use them for the benefit of others to glorify the name of Jesus, the more we will be conformed to His image!

It is clearly evidenced through his ministry that Paul, after his conversion, eagerly desired the things of the Spirit and was faithful in using them to the benefit of others, and by this he brought glory, honour and praise, to his Saviour – our Lord Jesus!

Now that we have had a look at the man Paul and how he was converted, changed and trained, let’s now look at what he tells us about living life in the Spirit because we like Paul, need to be changed and trained by the Holy Spirit in order to be effective Christians seek the will of God for our lives in true obedience. God has predestined us to do good works for Him in the name of Jesus and for His glory, in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Romans 8.

Let’s bear in mind that the Church in Rome at this time was under savage persecution and most of their activity and worship took place ‘underground’. Many believers had been put to death. At the time Paul’s letter was written the Roman Emperor at the time was the heartless Nero.

Paul new that in order for the Christians in Rome (and Christians today) to overcome this persecution and to overcome their (and our) sinful nature, it was imperative for them to live life in the Spirit. Paul’s letters are written for a specific purpose and always to build up and to edify the Church and to correct error.

Below, from Romans 8, is a list of the benefits we receive in living life through the Holy Spirit for those who are in Christ Jesus. This list is by no means exhaustive.

• There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus – verse 1.
• The Holy Spirit gives us life and freedom in Christ Jesus – verse 2.
• The Holy Spirit enables us to live life in the Spirit and not according to the flesh (our sinful nature) – verses 3 and 4.
• The Holy Spirit allows us to set our minds on what God desires for us – verse 5.
• The Holy Spirit allows us to set our minds on life and peace in Christ Jesus – verse 6.
• The Holy Spirit allows us to be pleasing in the eyes of God – verse 8.
• If we do not have the Holy Spirit in us, then we do not belong to Christ – verse 9.
• The Holy Spirit gives life because of righteousness – verse 10.
• The Holy Spirit will raise us from the dead as He did for Jesus – verses 10 and 11.
• If we are led by the Holy Spirit, then we are truly children of God – verse 14.
• The Holy Spirit brings about our adoption to sonship – verse 15.
• The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God – verse 16.
• The Holy Spirit enables us to be heirs of God along with Jesus – verse 17.
• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses – verse 26.
• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us – verses 26, 27.
• The Holy Spirit knows our hearts – verse 27.
• It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to conform to the image of Christ Jesus – verse 29.

Through the Holy Spirit we can overcome our present suffering and look forward to future glory in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:18-30

The Holy Spirit will enable and empower you to overcome your present sufferings, trials and tribulations, (remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world”) and lead you into the future glory that God intends for you.

Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Through the Holy Spirit we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus:

Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[Psalm 44:22]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we as Christians, are filled with the Holy Spirit and are obedient to His promptings and to God’s Word, we are overcomers! More than conquerors! For the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus, intercedes with God on our behalf which guarantees us victory in this world. Nothing can separate us from the love of God for those who are in Christ Jesus!

Prayer:
Lord, my prayer today is that you would keep on filling me with your Holy Spirit and that you would teach me by your Holy Spirit to live my life in the Spirit always. Humble me, Father, under your mighty hand that I may bring glory to the name of Jesus and that my life would be an encouragement to others and a powerful witness to the unsaved. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Last update: 21 January 2023

The Warnings of Jesus

 What does Jesus tell His Church to beware of?

What are the warnings of Jesus Christ?

There are many things in the gospels that Jesus tells us to “Watch out for” or “Beware of”. What is He warning us about and how is it relevant in today’s Church? In this article I will highlight a few of these warnings, they are prevalent in today’s Church and many of us are being led astray by our lack of knowledge of the Word and a desire to be entertained and have our ears tickled by false teaching, to hear a user friendly gospel that is void of God’s truth and an unwillingness to face the consequences of our sin!

Warnings about false teachers and prophets.

1. Beware of False Teachers and Prophets and their Teachings

Matthew 16:6 (NLT)

“Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

In the above verse, Jesus tells us to watch out for the ‘yeast’ Pharisees.

Now, what was the yeast of these people? We are told what this ‘yeast’ is in the gospel of Luke.

Luke 12:1 (NIV)

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

So here we have it, the ‘yeast’ was their hypocrisy! They didn’t practice what they preached, and they also added error to their preaching. The Amplified Bible gives the verse a more expanded explanation.

Luke 12:1 (AMP)

In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness].

King Solomon says that there is nothing new under heaven. We still have Church leaders doing the same things today. Leading people astray by presenting a watered down gospel and trying to merge worldly activities into Christianity.

We have prosperity preachers and seeker sensitive pastors who present worldly programmes to draw the unsaved to Church. We have false prophets and teachers galore leading millions astray across the world. It is the Holy Spirit that draws man to salvation, not the worldly programmes of false prophets and pastors!

We have big name pastors making alliances with the leaders of false religions. They run their mega Churches like businesses using the marketing methods of ungodly marketing systems and taking counsel from ungodly leaders of the business world. What does light have to do with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (AMP)

14 Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

In today’s Church there are thousands of these false teachers and prophets leading millions of people down the path to hell.

Wake up Church! Follow Jesus and comply with the Word of God in every way. God will not be mocked in the way that many mega churches are doing today!

Galatians 6:7-8 (AMP)

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. 8 For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

2 Peter 2:1-4 (NIV)

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Jesus likens false teachers and prophets to ravening wolves. They appear to be lambs gushing with false praise on their honeyed lips and lead many people astray by their false teachings and by twisting the Bible to tickle peoples’ ears – they do not preach the truth. They are like their father, the Devil, they are liars.

Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

John 8:44 (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2. Beware of leaders who are full of themselves – proud, arrogant, greedy and self-serving.

Mark 12:38-40 (NIV)

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law (the scribes). They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Jesus tells us to beware of those Church leaders that are proud, arrogant, greedy, and self-serving. They prey on peoples’ ignorance of the Word and teach false doctrines and introduce their own man-made rules and regulations instead of preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

They are still alive and well to this very day and are still doing the same things, feathering their own nests off their congregations, and living luxurious lives that contradict the teachings of the Bible. They are robbers and thieves, and they lead their followers to destruction. The Word says that they “will be punished most severely”.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Warnings to us as individual believers.

1. Warnings about Greed

Luke 12:15 (AMP)

Then He said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed; for not even when one has an overflowing abundance does his life consist of nor is it derived from his possessions.”

This verse warns us as individuals not to be obsessed with having more than we need, whether it is money or material possessions. Our lives should not consist of an abundance of things but should consist of the fulness of Jesus Christ and putting His Word into action in everything we do and speak! We shouldn’t love the things of the world but the things of God and living our lives in the Spirit! Above all we should not love money because it leads to all kinds of evil.

1 Timothy 6:10 (AMP)

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.

The love of money will cause us many sorrows and will lead us away from our faith in Jesus. Just look at the lifestyles of those that never have enough money or possessions, they perform all kinds of ungodly deeds to get more and are never satisfied. Prosperity preachers are a prime example of this! They are on the highway to hell and will take many others with them.

Nothing should be more valuable to you us a Christian than to love the Lord with every fibre of your being. If you love money and material possessions, they will become your master. Your master is the one whom you will serve. You cannot love both God and money!

Matthew 6:24 (AMP)

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

Greed and the love of money and material possessions should have no place in the life of a born-again Christian.

However, it does depend on the heart. If someone makes a new purchase because they need to replace an old item or an item that is broken, there may be no greed involved. But when someone is regularly buying things they do not "need," and they are never satisfied with what they have, or they want something just for the sake of having it to impress others, then they have greed and pride in their heart. It's alright for Christians to have money and nice things but don't let these things overrule your worship and love of God!

2. Warnings of Jesus Christ about Pride

We all struggle with pride in life! Sadly, many of us do not realize the potential that waits for us if we just let go of our pride and move forward in God's plan. In fact, the Bible goes so far as to warn us that God hates the sin of pride and will discipline the proud! Let us not see ourselves as "wise in our own eyes" but let us become humble and willing to learn from God and others! Pride is often accompanied by its close relative, greed!

Pride is when you do and say  things to be acclaimed by others!

Matthew 6:1 (AMP)

“Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven.

2 “So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

Everything we do as born-again Christians should be done in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of Jesus!

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Doing right things in order to receive honour and glory from people for yourself is for the sake of pride. Saying elaborate prayers to seem spiritual or claiming to attend church every week when you don’t or telling people you will pray for them and then you don’t, are all ways people try to elevate themselves in the eyes of others. And if you tell someone you will pray for them and you don’t then you are lying as well. Do everything in humility and God will lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Luke 18:11-14 (NIV)

11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

When you hear your Church leaders or anybody else saying from the pulpit or in the presence of others, “I did this and I did that” or “We did this and we did that”, then you know that the sin of pride has entered into them, and pride comes before a downfall! Apart from Christ we can do NOTHING! He is the vine, and we are the branches. When we do everything as unto the Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we will bear much fruit to His glory!

John 15:5-8 (NIV)

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

God blesses the humble not the proud!

Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Blessed are the meek (the humble),

for they will inherit the earth.

God has a place of reckoning for the proud!

Isaiah 2:12 (AMP)

For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning

Against all who are proud and arrogant

And against all who are lifted up,

That they may be degraded.

3. Warnings to Listen to the Words of God, to know the Word of God and to be doers of the Word and not just readers!

Be careful how you listen and understand the Word of God and always have a teachable heart..

Luke 8:18 (AMP)

So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Make sure you know the Word of God so that you don’t fall into sin.

Psalm 119:11-12 (NIV)

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, Lord;

teach me your decrees.

Hebrews 4:12-13

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Be doers of the Word, not just readers.

James 1:22 (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Simply to hear and understand the word of God has no value. We must obey it and do it.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven

I pray that you would give me a discerning heart that I may not follow false teachers and prophets and their false teachings. Teach me your ways, Lord, that I may not sin against you or be led astray in ignorance. Give me a hunger and a thirst to study your Word daily and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may follow the path of righteousness that you have set for me. I repent of all and every wrong doctrine I have followed or listened to, and I ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. Let your word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path and let me glorify the name of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

How do I get Godly wisdom?

 Take to heart the Word of God!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!

I don’t know about you, dear readers, but when I think of wisdom my mind immediately springs to King Solomon. Solomon was the second son of King David and Bathsheba, their first son having died shortly after birth because of David’s sin in acquiring Bathsheba as his wife.

Solomon succeeded David as King of Israel when Israel was at its peak and in line with the Davidic Covenant with God. David had conquered most of the territories surrounding Israel under the mighty hand of God and there was peace in the land. Solomon was also charged with building the first great Temple and was left with the means to do so by his father, King David.

1 Kings 2:45 (NIV)

But King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will remain secure before the Lord forever.”

When Solomon was firmly established on the throne of Israel, God spoke to him in a dream and told him he could ask for anything that he wanted, and it would be given to him. We all know what he asked for, it was not for worldly things and possessions, it was for an understanding heart or wisdom as some Bible translations call it, so that he would be capable of being Israel’s leader.

1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Solomon’s request pleased God so much that he gave him much more than what he asked for – God holds humility in the greatest esteem!

1 Kings 3:10-14 (NIV)

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

And even though Solomon slipped and fell away from God in his middle years he came back strongly in his later years, but God is faithful, he kept all his promises to Solomon and gave him not only wisdom but wealth and long life as well. God is a faithful promise keeper!

In his later years, Solomon, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote most of if not all the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and possibly, although not confirmed, Song of Songs or Song of Solomon as it is often called.

This now sets the scene for us to investigate the scriptures and see just how we can attain Godly wisdom in our lives today!

Well, just like King Solomon did, we ask God for it! But there are a few other things we need to do first.

Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

The breath of God is His Holy Spirit.

When we look at Proverbs 1, God tells us through Solomon exactly why the entire book of Proverbs was written. Let’s have a look at this.

Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young—

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

These seven verses should be written indelibly on our hearts and minds as they tell us how the Proverbs can teach us wisdom and understanding and will lead us to live Godly lives in a sin ridden world! Solomon made many mistakes and went through many different life experiences just as we do. But our ever faithful Father turns all things to His good purpose and the Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write the Book of Proverbs so that we can learn from his experiences!

In 1 Kings 3:12 God tells us that no man has had such wisdom as Solomon has, and there never will be again.

1 Kings 3:12 (NIV)

I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Yes, the book of Proverbs was written so that we as Christians can gain Godly wisdom, understanding and knowledge and much, much more! We need always bear in mind that God’s Word is everything that Jesus is to us as Christians, and it is therefore imperative that we know the Word of God – to read it and study it and get revelation from it in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way we will bring glory to the name of Jesus! This is Godly wisdom!

Matthew 4:4 (AMP)

But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

Reading, studying, digesting and doing the Word of God is just as important to our spiritual growth as eating and drinking is to our physical growth!

John 1:1-5 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What is our journey to acquire Godly wisdom?

Step 1
Become born-again by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and repenting of your sin, walking in obedience to the teachings of the Bible. Without Jesus we have no access to God. There is only one name by which we can be saved and that is the name of Jesus. Not Mary, not Allah, not Budha or any other name you may think up – ONLY THE NAME OF JESUS!

Acts 4:11-12 (NIV)

11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Let’s have a look at what the prophet Isaiah says about Jesus when he prophesied to Israel about the coming of Jesus their Messiah!

Isaiah 11:1-3a (NIV)

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of might,

the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He (Jesus) will have the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord – He will delight in the fear of the Lord.

We should delight in the fear of the Lord too as it protects us from evil and gives us Godly wisdom and understanding.

Jesus and knowledge of the Word give us Godly wisdom through the Holy Spirit!

John 14:25-26 (AMP)

25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

KNOW JESUS – KNOW THE WORD = GODLY WISDOM

Step 2
Embrace the reverent fear of God!

The Hebrew word for fear in Proverbs 1:7 is ‘yirah’ (pron: yir-aw – Strong’s 3373) and its expanded meaning is: a morally reverent fear. It is a fear that inspires awe and aspiration and is not a destructive, cowardly and controlling fear. It is a fear that all Christians should have for their creator and the author of their salvation. It is a fear born out of love and respect for the Father of all creation, the Father of all things.

It is a reverent fear that we need to hold on to tooth and nail. It is a fear that will prevent us from doing evil and ensure us being obedient to His Word in all things because we don’t want to disobey our loving Father in Heaven. He is an awesome God, and His love endures forever!

Proverbs 1:7 (AMP)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

In the above verse the writer of Proverbs clearly says that we will be fools if we reject the Godly wisdom and instruction that is made available to us in the Bible, and if we reject any part of the Bible then we reject Jesus for He is the Word! The fear of the Lord leads us to a good life of contentment and peace. Not the peace of the world but the inner peace of the Lord that sees us through difficult times.

Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord leads to life;

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

The reverent ‘fear of the Lord’ is mentioned 16 times in the book of Proverbs. This reinforces just how important it is for Christians to hold God in reverent fear and thus gain Godly wisdom!

Step 3
Apply the Word of God in your daily lives. Be doers of the Word and not just readers. Live in such a manner that is pleasing to God by being doers of the Word, being obedient to its teachings in every way! By being continually filled with the Holy Spirit and above all showing love, the agape love of God to your neighbour and especially to your brothers and sister in Christ!

Colossians 3:15-16 (AMP)

15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. 16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Galatians 6:10 (AMP)

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

James 1:22-25 (NIV)

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Step 4
Ask God for wisdom. Just as Solomon did, we can ask for wisdom too. God’s wisdom is not for a few select few, it is for all His children in Christ Jesus. Any born-again Christian can ask God for wisdom and be assured that he will receive it as long as their motives are pure and not self-serving!

James 1:5 (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father

Today, Lord, I ask that you give me wisdom by your Holy Spirit, wisdom that will enable me to make Godly decisions in all I do and say in my life. I ask for wisdom, Lord, so that I may be pleasing to you and a blessing to my brothers and sisters in Christ, so that I may be more and more conformed to Christ’s image and truly obedient to your Word and, bring glory to the name of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Don't lose your saltiness!

You are the Salt of the Earth

In Matthew 5:13, which is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that we, those that follow Him, are the salt of the earth.

Matthew 5:13 (NLT)

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

But what did Jesus mean by this?

Well, let’s take a look through some scriptures and see what the Word of God tells us about the spiritual significance of salt and what “You are the salt of the earth” means to us today as born-again Christians, true followers of Christ!

The significance and symbolism of salt in the Old Testament

Firstly, let’s take a look at the spiritual significance of salt in the Old Testament.

In Numbers 18 the Lord is speaking to Aaron, as the head of the Levitical priesthood. The Levites were the only Israelites that were allowed to present offerings to the Lord on the altar of the tabernacle on behalf of the other Israelites.

Numbers 18:7 (NIV)

7 But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.”

Okay, thank you for bearing with me, now here comes the salty part!

Numbers 18:19 (NIV)

Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the Lord I give to you and your sons and daughters as your perpetual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring.”

The Lord was telling Aaron that He, the Lord, was giving these Holy offerings to Aaron and his descendants (being the priesthood of Israel) and that they would be an everlasting covenant between Him and Aaron’s descendants. The symbolism of salt here is that salt is a preservative and thus the covenant is everlasting.

In 2 Chronicles 13 we see another example of God’s covenant of salt, this time with King David and his descendants. Here it is confirmed that rulership of Israel had been given to David and his descendants by God by an everlasting covenant of salt. And of course, Jesus our Lord and Saviour in his natural birth is of the line of David. You can read the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17.

2 Chronicles 13:5 (AMP)

Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel, gave rule over Israel forever to David and to his sons by a covenant of salt [a permanent pact, extending to each generation of Israel]?

Because of God’s covenant of salt with David he is able to say with complete confidence in Psalm 34 “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Psalm 34:8-9 (AMP)

8 O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good;

How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.

9 O [reverently] fear the Lord, you His saints (believers, holy ones);

For to those who fear Him there is no want.

David knew the Lord, He knew His goodness. His Love, His Grace and His mercy and he took refuge in Him. Knowing with full confidence and in reverent fear that in his life he would lack for nothing.

In Leviticus 2 God tells the Israelites that they are not to leave out the salt in any of their offerings to the Lord as this represents an everlasting covenant. Any offering made without salt would be unacceptable to God.

Leviticus 2:13 (AMP)

You shall season every grain offering with salt so that the salt (preservation) of the covenant of your God will not be missing from your grain offering. You shall offer salt with all your offerings.

So, here we see that in the Old Testament salt played an extremely powerful role in a person’s relationship with God especially when they were making offerings and sacrifices to the Lord. In fact, if salt was not included in their offerings, they would be unacceptable to God.

The significance and symbolism of salt in the New Testament

The Old Testament has many types, shadows and patterns that can speak prophetically of what will happen in the future and particularly in the New Testament. Nothing in the Bible has happened or has been written by chance. The Bible is Holy Spirit inspired, ever single letter! And thus we, as born-again Christians under the new covenant of the blood of Jesus, can learn much from them and how Old Testament symbolism and examples can be used to help explain some New Testament scriptures and symbolisms.

Romans 15:4 (AMP)

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

From what we have seen in the Old Testament, let’s have a look at how Salt is one of these examples.

In my opening scripture to this article, Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, but we must not lose our saltiness, or we will become useless to Him.

So, what does this mean to us as born-again Christians? Well scripture tells us that the reality of the Old Testament law is found in Jesus Christ!

Matthew 5:17 (AMP)

“Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Colosians 2:17 (NIV)

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, He becomes Lord of our entire life – not just part of our life but all of it. Not keeping any part of our lives hidden from Him or living a half-hearted, lukewarm Christian life. Everything about us should be Christ-centered, all we do and all we say. We must be in total obedience to His Word and we must be be totally led by His Holy Spirit. All we are as Christians should bring glory to Jesus!

This is dying to self. A lukewarm and inactive Christian has lost his saltiness and if we don’t repent of this and ask forgiveness, we are only good for being trampled on and we become worthless in His service! Just as Jesus offered himself up as a living sacrifice, so too must we to Him!

Romans 12:1 (AMP)

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

Revelation 3:16 (AMP)

So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

Just like in the Old Testament when the offerings had to be accompanied with salt, so must our offerings, our bodies as living sacrifices must be accompanied with salt!

We keep ourselves salty by holding on to Jesus, fulfilling our part in the everlasting covenant of His blood that He shed for us to cover our sins, by being filled with the Holy Spirit, by studying the Word and by being doers of the Word! 

As the Psalmist says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” You will note too that our blood is physically salty to the taste, we have the goodness of Jesus in us  both physically and spiritually, and thus we have an everlasting life with Jesus – but don’t lose your saltiness. Just as the Lord tastes good so we must too! We must ‘taste’ good in our lifestyle witness to the world this is our personal, spiritual evangelism!

We are the salt of the earth! We came from the earth, the different salts in the earth is what makes it arable and fertile. 

Genesis 2:7 (AMP)

then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].

We need to be spiritually arable and fertile for the Lord so that we can bear good fruit!

Colossians 4:6 (AMP)

Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

Mark 9:49-50 (AMP)

49 “For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good and useful; but if salt has lost its saltiness (purpose), how will you make it salty? Have salt within yourselves continually, and be at peace with one another.”

We must have salt within ourselves continually! What is the salt? The goodness of Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit within us and adding to this we must be at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is

when God’s people live together in unity!

We, as born-again Christians, are His royal priesthood just as the Levites were in the Old Testament, we are a chosen generation and as such we inherit everything that God has through the blood of Jesus that cleanses us of sin! We are able to enter God's presence as individuals through the blood of Jesus - unlike the Old Testament where only the high priest could enter God's presence through the curtain. Jesus is our high priest and he tore the curtain so that we can enter God's presence through Him! We are chosen to proclaim our saltiness, the goodness of Jesus, to a dying world

1 Peter 2:9-10 (AMP)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Christian! Don’t lose your saltiness!

Salt is a covenant – the goodness of Jesus.

Salt adds flavour and brings out flavour in other things.

Salt symbolises friendship and loyalty.

Salt is a preservative.

Salt adds value – Christian value – the value of Jesus.

Salt

God preserving and seasoning a believer as they grow into spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven
Forgive me Lord for losing my saltiness and for becoming lukewarm - I repent of my sin. Please help me to regain and retain my saltiness, the goodness of Jesus in me. In all I do and say, Lord, let Jesus shine through. Let Jesus be glorified. Continually fill me, Lord, with your Holy Spirit to guide me in all things. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!