FacebookYouTubeGoogle StoreApple Store

Need a new search

If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!

Taking Each Step By the Spirit

Since we are living by the Spirit, we should also step by the Spirit, Galatians 5:25

Stepping by the Spirit is when we are carefully paying attention to how we are governing our lives. As we learn new truth from the Scripture, applying them to our lives correctly takes practice. We need to pay closer attention to what we are doing and constantly remind ourselves of the truth and allow our actions to align to it. Those who are more mature in their spiritual lives have the experiential knowledge of how important it is to follow Scripture accurately, especially when under an attack from one of our spiritual enemies. You do not get sloppy when putting up a defense against Satan, the sin nature, or the world system. If you do, you will lose.

In Galatians 5:16 we are instructed that when we walk1 by the Spirit we will in no way fulfill the desires of the flesh, after dealing with the works of the flesh and the fruit belonging to the Spirit, Paul comes back to governing our lives by the Spirit, but points out that there are time when we need to not only look at the big picture (walking), but also smaller details (each step).

As we press on toward the mark, let us who are mature minded step according to the high calling of God. We are now part of the new creation (the Christ). We have been crucified with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life before God. Therefore we are no longer slaves to the sin nature to obey its passions and desires. As we step according to this truth peace – an unruffled mind – and mercy – […]

Taking Each Step By the Spirit2013-03-28T07:46:37-07:00

Spiritual Gifts within the Body of The Christ

When a person becomes part of the body of The Christ, they receive a gift from the Holy Spirit. This is a gift that is intended for the common good of the Church, 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Moreover, each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit towards the common good”. Not only are we placed into the body of The Christ, we are also given the means to be able to function as the part of the body that the Holy Spirit determines is the best place for us.

Saints should not be ignorant concerning Spiritual things. There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different services, but the same Lord. For it is God who works all things in all. We each receive only one gift in our life time, as we can only ever serve as the part of the body in which we are placed. The Holy Spirit determines what gift we receive, 1 Corinthians 12:11.

Among the gifts there are gifts of the same kind, and gifts of a different kind. The word of wisdom and knowledge are gifts of the same kind. These gifts were given so that in the beginning of the Church it had the necessary knowledge to obey God and the wisdom to correctly use that knowledge. These gifts were necessary at that time because the churches did not yet have the full revelation of Scripture to guide them as we have today. Of course, since God has provided us with the full revelation, the Church no longer has need for these gifts. In James 1:5 God states to all Christians that if we ask for wisdom, He will give it to us without reproach. He also […]

Spiritual Gifts within the Body of The Christ2023-12-14T12:32:36-08:00

Spirit Beings

Spirit Beings (The Other Created Intelligent Beings in the Universe)

The Different Types of Spirit Beings

Cherubim

The highest order of the spirit beings. There are ones with four faces, two faces, and one face. Ezekiel 10:1 -22.

Seraphim

These spirit beings are seen around the throne of God and described as having six wings. Isaiah 6:2, 6; Revelation 4:8

Angels

This rank of spirit beings are the messengers. They are involved in the day to day activities of both heaven and earth. 1 Kings 19-23: Daniel 10:13; Hebrews 1:14

Satan

Satan is a Cherub whose name was Lucifer1 Satan is at this time the god of this age.2 He is the originator and keeper of the world system.3 He is an adversary of Christians.4 He still has access to the third heaven were he goes before God and accuses the brethren.5

Creation of Spirit Beings

All Spirit beings were created in one act and were created fully mature.6

Present Duties of the Unfallen Angels

The angels that did not fall presently minister to the heirs of salvation.7 They are the messengers of God.8 They carry out the judgments of God.9 They protect God’s People.10

The Fallen Angels

One third of the angels fell with Satan.11 They are presently known as demons.12 They have […]

Spirit Beings2020-06-07T06:09:04-07:00

To Hold Down (κατέχω)

To hold down (κατέχω) conveys the act of preventing, hindering, or holding onto something or someone.

In the parable of the land owner who planted a vineyard and leased it out so that he could go to a far away country, the vinedressers sought to hold down his son’s inheritance by killing him (Matthew 21:38). By slaying the heir, they perceived that they would be able to prevent the owner from taking what was rightfully his.

While talking about the Kingdom of the Heavens and how the message is impacting those hearing it, Jesus speaks the parable of the sower and the seeds. Unlike the message of salvation today, which holds an inherent ability to save a person (Romans 1:16), the good news of the Kingdom of the Heavens could be snatched out of the heart of those who heard it. However, those who heard the word with a proper and good heart, prevented the loss of the message in their heart, resulting in bearing fruit (Luke 8:15). Therefore, their lives were impacted by the message of the Messiah because they believed God.

A quality of the wrath of God is manifested today against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). The wicked do not succeed because they evade justice, but rather, because God gives them over to uncleanness and the strong desires of their hearts due to their rejection of the truth. As a result, their minds become depraved, calling good evil while being filled with all forms of unrighteousness, thus bringing upon themselves the fullness of judgment (Romans 1:32).

When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our […]

To Hold Down (κατέχω)2024-11-21T05:57:43-08:00

Armor for the Christian Life

Within Scripture, two sets of armor are described for the Christian. Panoplia (πανοπλία) is the heavy armor used by Roman soldiers for defense. Hopion (ὅπλον) expresses a weapon of warfare that can included armor.

When the Chief Priests and Pharisees dispatched a troop of roman soldiers to arrest Jesus, they came armed with weapons (ὅπλον), John 18:3.

As we apply the truth to overcome the desires from the sin nature, after reckoning to ourselves that we have died with Christ and are co-raised with Him to walk in newness of life, we are to yield our members as instruments (ὅπλον) of righteousness, Romans 6:13.

The night is well spent, the day is near. Therefore, we are to cast of the works of darkness, putting on the armor (ὅπλον) of light, Romans 13:12, so that we walk properly as in the day, having put on Christ as our outer garment so that we are making no provisions for the flesh and its desires, Romans 13:13-14. This armor (ὅπλον) includes the breastplate of faith and the helmet of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

When dealing with persecution and tribulation, we are to commend ourselves as those who belong to God by the internet ability of God, through the use of the armor (ὅπλον) of righteousness, 2 Corinthians 6:7.

Our daily armaments (ὅπλον) of warfare are not carnal but in the inherent ability of God we use them to tear down strongholds, which are the reasonings that exalt themselves above God, bringing the working of our minds into obedience to the Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Panoplia (πανοπλία) is our heavy armor that is used when we are attacked by Satan so that we are able to stand firm against him, Ephesians 6:11. With […]

Armor for the Christian Life2024-11-14T06:34:39-08:00
Go to Top