Combat , the spirit v the flesh

I've been given some thought recently about the armor of God and the sword of the Spirit in particular:

Ephesians 6:12-18

King James Version


12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The apostle Paul draws upon battle imagery and who we are at war with: Satan and all that is evil in this world and especially within ourselves. It's not like these foes are visible in front of us. It is a spiritual battle that often times takes place within our hearts and minds.

A good soldier makes sure to protect all the vital areas on their bodies and back in Paul's day, the shield was probably the most important to fend off direct attacks from arrows, clubs, spears, and swords.

And ideally, we should always be on guard and in a defensive posture against potential threats, and our offensive weapon of choice should be God's Spirit within us.

At the karate dojo I train at which has its heritage dating back hundreds of years to Okinawa, we emphasize that karate is primarily for defense. We are not the aggressors when it comes to starting a war.

But one of our senior blackbelt teachers told us there is a time and a place to take the offensive. If we know people have harmful intentions, why would we give them an advantage by allowing them to take the first shot?

The same is true in our spiritual warfare with evil. There isn't an option for negotiation, compromise, or peace with wickedness, so we need to go on the offensive to drive these forces into retreat. The Sword of God's Spirit is that offensive weapon, and the battle ultimately belongs to the Lord!

I'm curious though, Pilgrim, why do you think the sword of the Spirit is defined as "the word of God?"

What wonderful thoughts there fits perfectly into the battle thread

ehat I consider about the sword of the spirit is that it is the only offensive weapon in the armor the helmet and shield and breastplate are all passive and defensive protection

But the sword is for striking the blow I notice Jesus and how he sparred with Satan during his temptation

three times satan made a deceptive statement concerning the scripture and all three times Jesus responded “ it is written , it is written , it is written again “

and after three blows with the sword Satan retreated for a time

“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

also notice throughout the Bible how the word is called and described as a double edged sword sharp and quick and how this instrument works in us to reshape our moral core our discernment of good and evil

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

It like his scalpel as well able to circumcise the hearts intents and thoughts

i think your quote there sort of fits with peters here to show us more details of the battle plan and identifies our enemy in tbe world

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, ( shield ) knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. ( tribulation in the world )

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”( persevere )
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬


The apostles are like Jesus generals in this war laying out the battle plan for his soldiers and infantry. The armor is effective but we have to put it on and bear it or we find ourselves without protection and our enemy is always on the attack

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gods word in Christ is the final word of all things it is the great sword of God with which he will sever darkness and light forever And is the only effective weapon against our adversary

that’s what I would say i notice it’s different because the rest are defensive the sword is offensive to deal blows to the enemy

Fantastic scriptural references followed up with insightful commentary as well, Pilgrim...!

You definitely hit the nail on the head tying the "Sword of the Spirit" to the "word of God", and I love Jesus' decisive blow at the end of this attack by Satan:

10Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

Like you noted, Jesus draws upon the word of God written in His heart by saying "it is written..." to knock the devil on his back.

Jeremiah elaborates on this concept as well:

“This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; . . . I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33).

We certainly need to dive into reading and studying God's Word, the Holy Bible, but more importantly, we need the Holy Spirit to write God's law and Word in our hearts!!!

Amen brother how does the word get written on our hearts effectively ?

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:27-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭K

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

all those things in the ot about a new covenant being written on the heart is what the gospel is about Jesus lays down his life for the believer who has sinned to win thier heart for God and the message of believing in him and hearing his word is what having it written on the heart means if you read something that’s external a like outward rule ,

if you hear something and believe it, it becomes part of your mind and hearts process of thought . What I mean is

If I want to be a surgeon , I have to see or hear and learn the information that a surgeon knows . Now a surgeon doesn’t operate Ike he’s learning information from the book he doesn’t make a cut , then pause and read from the book how to make the next ect

abut what’s happened is over time and practice learning the information and applying it in practice it has just become part of how he thinks . The same information that seemed foreign to his mind in the beginning , now is just part of how he thinks he as he is operating just understands and knows what to do it’s written on his mind and on his heart now it became part of who he is and how he thinks and feels and what he does is the result

As we hear and believe the gospel it’s changing the perceptions within us the living and active perceptions that are our thoughts and desires and hopes and dreams and imaginations and intents

all of these things are what the gospel is about

“This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, And in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This promise of the new covenant word repeatedly foretold in the ot saying I will come some day and give my law

“Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

……Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:1, 3-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-3, 8, 11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This of course is a fraction of the prophecy but the gospel then fulfills those things like this see isaih 61 there ?

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:17-19, 21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Literally everything from this

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To this

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:19-20‬ ‭

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8:13-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we just trust and believe and hear and learn from like a father and his children

Interesting context to this powerful message (maybe the first we have documented in the Gospels) of Jesus actually preaching the good news in a synagogue shortly after his battle with Satan that we discussed earlier.

And, this "reading" from Jesus took place on the Sabbath in his hometown of Nazareth. In essence, Jesus lays down the purpose of His ministry preaching the gospel, healing, providing deliverance, and the acceptable year of the Lord (would love to hear your thoughts on this last bullet point agenda item for Jesus' ministry).

Unfortunately, His Nazareth neighbors were not impressed and said sarcastically, "...Is this not Joseph's son?" (v. 22). They "marveled at the gracious words," yet after Jesus sternly rebuked them for their hard hearts, they were "...filled with wrath" (v.28).

That's one take away for me. In order for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we need to be submissive and have that heart of flesh Ezekiel describes:

Ezekiel 36:26

King James Version

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

I love how the "new heart" and "new spirit" is also described as a "heart of flesh." Like you alluded to in past threads, God's Spirit, that which is eternal, integrates and meshes with our hearts of flesh. But, God needs to first make our hearts fertile to accept His Spirit.

For me as a hard-hearted teenager, it took being broken down to the core to have the desire and humility to surrender myself to God. And, it had to be a complete unconditional surrender.

Hebrews 3:8

King James Version

8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

I don't know about you, but after surrendering my life to God and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior 36 years ago, I still struggle with this as a Christian. The "old man" is still kicking within me, and he's a stubborn old coot who doesn't allow the Spirit to work within me to achieve maximum results.

God's Spirit can't penetrate stony hearts. The stone needs to be chiseled away to expose that heart of flesh that the Spirit can begin that transformation process that lasts the rest of our lives!

amen to everything you say there . Yes I know the experience you’re talking about it’s definately a life long process from glory to glory and from faith to faith

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself;

first the blade,

then the ear,

after that the full corn in the ear.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:26-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Like plants were in A process of change and constant growth and pruning and care there are babes , youngins adolescence adults elders …. Just as there are seedlings and small nursery plants and then large strong plants with lots of fruit

aim christ we’re all going through. A process but we’re at different stages and points some haven’t yet come to bear much fruit but they do bear fruit others bear much fruit and both belong to God all the way through the process even before they are fruitful trees even when they are tiny seedlings the patient gardener is fertilizing and pruning and watering

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭

note the branch is producing fruit but it’s not perfect and they can produce more and better fruit so he works on them to heal and make them more fruitful but others never bear any fruit they are cast away and burned up in the fire but just a little fruit preserves the branch that it may be made more fruitful having a healthy root in him

some besr large amounts of fruit others Bear small amounts but we belong to the gardener

note the difference in the four outcomes all receive the seed but not all become fruitful for various reasons

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.
This is he which received seed by the way side.

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth,

some an hundredfold,

some sixty,

some thirty.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:18-23‬ ‭

Continuing process for certain and yes brother I still have battles and struggles daily ot of things are gone away other things still out up a fight but I’m whoopin em now lol at the end of my life when I’m not really able to do much wild livin anymore haha

“the acceptable year of the Lord (would love to hear your thoughts on this last bullet point agenda item for Jesus' ministry).”

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The law and the prophets were until John:

since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; while it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (for they could not endure that which was commanded, ”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:19-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Man wasnt acceptable to God under the law because rehire sins remained , when Jesus comes everything about him is revealed what Moses heard and saw on the Mount what was in the cloud is revelaed in tbe open because Jesus has remitted the sins of mankind before God by the shedding of his own blood nd the sprinkling on the alter in heaven so thisnis a time of not acceptable

“knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that group not us it can’t be or we’re lost we repent of those things therefore don’t need that law warning against them

But the gospel is about giving condemned for thier sinned man a new life washing away thoer oast and giving them hope for the future a new north before God remission of sins taught by God himself as our father ect

as opposed to commanded to not come near or be killed d hearing and terrifying trumpet blast with his words d seeing fire and bellowing smoke and storm and thunder and lightings instead of responding to that and saying “ we need to never hear what this word says this is terrifying “we can’t keep his commands so we don’t want to hear anymore from him “ you go close and find out what he wants Moses and tell us but beg him not to speak again to us “

the acceptable time is while Jesus is available to any and all who believe the gospel of the kingdom it isn’t speaking to those the law is for

The kingdom is saying “ I’ve suffered and died for your sins , I’m giving you my righteousness before God I the son telling you that you are a child of the most high God he loves you , believe in Jesus and he calls you righteous like Abraham now all you have to do is trust him and learn from him and follow forever after your Lord and savior he will certainly give you repentance remission of sins and everlasting life “

what im trying poorly to get at is the time under the law wasnt a time man was acceptable to God but the gospel is the acceptable year and time for men of any nationality and blood to enter it to the kingdom of God “ time of the gentiles “

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. ( word made flesh )


The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:1-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

(until john )

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:1, 3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

a then Jesus would preach the gospel and return to heaven after he revealed Gods glory in the flesh to man in the gospel

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:22-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:31‬ ‭

Yep. I certainly understand that as I'm no spring chicken either. I suppose God's strength is much more effective in our weakening bodies and minds!

It's like Peter says,

1 Peter 4:12-14

King James Version

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

The fiery trials seem to intensify as we mature in Christ, and a lot of the battle is in my heart primarily. Sins I haven't struggled with for years rear their ugly heads, yet the sword is swiftly pruning those ugly weeds away, so more fruit can be produced.

I certainly haven't matured to the point Peter talks about above where I "rejoice" in suffering and trials. I know they build the character of Christ, and the Spirit works more powerfully through us, but I am a wimp when it comes to pain and bad times.

As we get older and weaker, we hopefully will look more to the Lord and allow Him to provide that strength we need to become more like Him as each day passes.

Amen brother definately can relate. I’m currently facing one of the hardest events on my life with sister having stage four cancer and things are not going as we hoped

it’s truly just crushing to visit her and there’s no way for me to help her physically with this struggle she’s in . I remember back when we were little it used to bug me terribly when she cried and I sometime along the way thought I needed to make sure that didn’t happen. But now she’s in such pain and there’s nothing I can do.

It’s truly a great trial . We’ve been talking a lot about the lord and home and she’s at peace regarding that part . at this point I am truly broken but the lord is holding me up as he does

it seems like as life breaks us again and again he’s always there lifting and bearing us up when we’ve lost strength comforting us in our deepest sorrows

i truly don’t know how anyone gets through this world without leaning on Jesus and trusting his ways

No doubt, brother, and I am sorry to hear about your sister. I will add her to my morning prayers. What's her first name?

Her name is Karen Anne, and thank you so much it’s appreciated

My thoughts

Winning or loosing the Spiritual War between the Flesh and the Spirit happens in the Mind

When we get Saved our old way of thinking still exists ------our old emotions and desires still rage on ---we have to have help to take control over our old way of thinking ---so we can practice keeping our emotions and desires in check -------both Satan and God want to control our way of thinking so that is where the battle takes place -------who will win your soul for the day ????/



God gives us the way to win the Battle of our mind -------

God told Cain this -----

Genesis 4:7
AMP
If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it.”


So we must master our old way of thinking ----our emotions and worldly desires -----there are many scriptures these are just a few ----in my view ----

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


Colossians 3:2 ESV
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭

Good morning brother,

I stumbled upon a gem in the book of Ephesians this morning:

Ephesians 1:13-14

King James Version

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest ["guarantee" in the NKJV] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Like we discussed earlier, the Holy Spirit is a down payment in a sense of our eternal inheritance in Jesus Christ. We have nothing to worry about as long as we maintain our connection with God!

We are children of God, He loves us dearly, and He is happy to give us His kingdom! The Holy Spirit is proof of that and is only a small foretaste of what's to come!!!

yes brother do you see how Paul’s letters are structured ?

Ephesians for instance it’s a single letter carryon a message early on we hear about the deposit of the Holy Ghost d our inheritance

But if you keep reading you have to let this part in as one begins to understand

What I mean is this part in the beginning of Paul’s letter

“that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

leads to this pet of the understanding

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you see what I mean ? We can actually receive the holy spirit , and be born into an inheritance but then we can throw it away if we don’t stop serving the devil and start serving Gods Will

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

receiving the Holy Ghost is Essential but it doesn’t guarantee salvstion as you see above there or here

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:26-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

receiving the Holy Ghost doesn’t guarantee inheritance if you look at Paul’s letter it’s always the same message this is always part of what he’s saying

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

( note this goes back to the spirit v flesh post )

We really don’t have to worry about anything at all brother we have to accept Jesus as the lord and learn from his gospel we don’t have to be perfect we have to live up to just what we understand and repent when we find we’ve done something wrong trusting him n his forgivness and provision

remember when Jesus said this it really has a lot of meaning

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s true Ephesians and be talks of receiving the Holy Ghost a deposit of guarantee it’s also true we are told by n chapter five when the letter begins to conclude that if we live after the flesh and in sin we aren’t going to have any inheritance when Paul gets there look how clear and stern the warning to the same group he’s writing this letter to in chapter one

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”

What a warning huh clear and direct nd it’s coming from what Paul has already been saying Paul’s letters need to be taken in as a whole because this is true

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:15-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s letters teach us to be steadfast followers of God because we were promised an inheritance if we do we’re also told clearly how we can lose our inheritance


We have to simply be disciples of Jesus that’s what a Christian is a believer in and follower of Jesus imperfect and always a work in progress but understanding he was a the lord we are his people he’s the teacher we are the students

“ And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:26‬ ‭

Fantastic thought, Pilgrim. I especially love the "deposit" imagery: we receive the Holy Spirit as a "deposit", and then God keeps investing in us (as long as we are open and willing),

Awesome!

amen it is always our confidence that God will accomplish what he says he will accomplish in a believer that hears and believes him . This is what faith relies upon

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
‭‭John‬ ‭7:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

…..Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32, 51‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6-7, 15-17, 20-21, 23-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What has happened in modernity is that we say “catch summary phrases “ like we’re “ saved by grace through faith “ and then we explain this summary as opposite what it really means as in “ now we’re saved by grace through faith we don’t need to do anything that Jesus says we need to do to be saved , we believe in him so we don’t need to obey his word telling us how to be saved

it’s come to the point we distort what faith means what grace means what all the summary verses mean ect to try to eliminate all of the explainations by the apostles in the Bible that don’t then need to be re interpreted and re defined and re explained to mean different things

If satan can convince man that what God said isnt for them it’s always going to be the same as with Adam but when we learn that what god tells us the actually the source of everlasting life it’s going to deliver that life as he promises

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:10-11 ‭KJV‬‬

We have to just cling to Jesus and let him teach us about the everlasting God and his beloved children and then just follow those things he’s put in our heart because we believe

Amen. What a powerful message from Jesus. The Spirit gives us true and everlasting life, and Jesus' words seem to mesh right into the Holy Spirit living within us to sustain, build, and enhance that life!