Spiritual Warfare

Depression and the Bible. Seeking God for Deliverance!


– Deliverance from Depression –


melancholy-1773335_1920
FIGHT BACK BY CONSTANTLY
QUOTING THESE VERSES!

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. 6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. 8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.
(Psalms 42:5-8)

________________________

6 Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
(I Samuel 30:1-6)

________________________

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.
(Psalms 3:3-4)

________________________

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
(Psalms 40:1-3)

________________________

1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
(Psalms 61:1-2)

________________________

1 I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!” 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. 6 The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling.
(Psalms 116:1-8)

________________________

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

________________________

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

“Sincerity: Our Great Weapon” (Ephesians 6:14)


ICEA – “Church At Study”

“SUBJECTIVE TRUTH (Ps. 51:6)…MEANING SINCERITY,
INTEGRITY,  UPRIGHTNESS, HONESTY AND SIMILAR WORDS…
ARE GREAT WEAPONS AGAINST THE DEVIL’S WILES!
UNDERSTANDING THIS WILL KEEP YOU FROM
MANY AVENUES OF DECEIT THE ENEMY
WANTS TO TAKE YOU DOWN!”

SINCERITY: OUR GREAT WEAPON (Eph. 6:14)

SINCERITY is one of the greatest weapons we have against our enemy — Satan! Not only does the word TRUTH, in Ephesians 6:14 refer to having knowledge of the word of God, but (a little known fact is) the GREATER MEANING refers to the Christians’ SINCERITY and moral conduct.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
TRUTH and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
(Eph. 6:14)

The biblical meaning of SINCERITY is…real; not feigned; pure; honest; without blame; truthfulness and integrity…having lack of deceit and trickery. This is not mainstream teaching on this verse, but it appears that this is what the Apostle Paul intended. Here are some different translations to try to prove this point:

AMPLIFIED BIBLE:
So stand firm and hold your ground, having
tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage)
around your waist and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness (an upright heart).

The Amplified Bible uses the actual words “personal integrity” and “moral courage” as phrases similar to the word TRUTH.

WYCLIFFE BIBLE:
Therefore stand ye, and be girded about your loins
in soothfastness [Therefore stand ye, girded about your loins in
soothfastness], and clothed with the habergeon of rightwiseness.

The Wycliffe Bible has translated the word “truth” as “soothfastness.” The origin of “soothfastness” is Old English. It means truthful, trustworthy, honest, righteous, sincere, genuine, and just.

The study above seems to shed more light on the meaning of “truth” found in Ephesians 6:14. The author of this article suggests verse 14 declares not so much a working knowledge and execution of the word of God, but readers are to be clothed or “girded” with the qualities aforementioned!

A BIBLE FOOTNOTE ON EPHESIANS 6:14

The footnote in the Ryrie Bible referring to Ephesians 6:14 reads:
Truth holds everything together and refers to the believer’s integrity.
Breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness practiced by the believer to protect the chest and heart from Satan.

OTHER BIBLICAL REFERENCES REFERRING TO
SUBJECTIVE TRUTH

Well-known teacher and author, John MacArthur refers to our verse and chapter of “truth” under consideration (Eph. 6:14) as an “attitude of truthfulness.” He distinguishes this truth from other definitions of truth (found in the Bible) which refer to one having an understanding of biblical knowledge. You may read his article by clicking on the following text:  http://www.gty.org/resources/bible-qna/BQ040612/how-do-believers-gird-themselves-with-truthfulness  or visit “Grace to You” website at: http://www.gty.org.

Henry Alford: Truth — not truth objective, which is rather the “word of God” below, ver. 17, but: ‘truthfulness,’ subjective truth: to be understood however as based upon the faith and standing of a Christian. (The New Testament for English Readers Online).
(The New Testament for English Readers: Containing the Authorized Version. By Henry Alford.)

THE SINCERITY OF NATHANAEL

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him,
Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
(John 1:47)

We understand the type of man Nathanael had matured into, by studying Jesus’ statement, that Nathanael was “…a man without deceit.” Nathanael had somehow become uncontaminated by the evils of his day. He did not allow his surroundings to negatively shape his being and his character. He was not a conformist. He had a heart of gold. His eye was single and he was full of light (Matt. 6:22-23). Thank God the psalmist said…IN HIS HASTE…that all men are liars (Ps. 116:11). There are men, like Nathanael, who are not liars, neither practice deceit and craft. Nathanael was an honest and sincere man when it came to his relationships with others.

THE SINCERITY OF PAUL

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
that in simplicity and godly SINCERITY, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God,  we have had
our conversation in the world, and
more abundantly to you-ward.
(II Cor. 1:12)

This verse seems clear. It appears straight-forward. Paul used the words “our” rejoicing. While writing…Paul reflected on the history of his life and the life of those leaders who ministered to the Corinthians. They could rejoice because they had clear conscience. Their record among the Corinthians was sincerity. Their record among unbelievers and unsaved was sincerity, as well. What a testimony! What moral conduct! Not much for Satan to work with!

TRUTH – AS THE WORD OF GOD

If we are looking in context of Ephesian 6:10-18 for an objective and offensive working knowledge of TRUTH (the Word of God)…against Satan; you will find it in verse 17. It reads:

And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Our Lord Jesus used “the Sword” to confront and defeat Satan early in His ministry by proclaiming to him…”It is written…!” This is the definition of TRUTH that many are familiar with today, which is fighting Satan with the Word of God.

It is true that Christians need to know the word of God while engaging with satanic attacks! The author is not attempting to minimize this great offensive weapon of truth. Nevertheless, the focus of this article defines truth (from Eph. 6:14) as the Christians’ sincerity and moral character. Moral character is such an integral part of the Christians amour that almost the entirety of this article is devoted to extracting the meaning from this one verse.

FINAL THOUGHT

Anything other than biblical sincerity will leave the child of God vulnerable. The belt that is supposed to be girded is loose. The enemy knows that this part of our armor is lacking and he will attack this vulnerability. We must not allow ourselves to yield to compromising situations or the demons who do Satan’s bidding will seek to overthrow and eventually defeat us with fatal blows.

PRAYER

“Lord, may we come to see the importance of sincerity and moral character as weapons, tightly fastened…used in our struggle against the powers of darkness. Help us…also…to strive lawfully, that in the end, we may be victorious, having withstood every opponent. In Jesus name. Amen!”

HOMEWORK

Do a Bible search on the words “sincere” and “sincerity”.

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Hear the Word of God! (Part I)


– Scriptures to Live by –

Man Holding Bible

The International Christian Education
Auxiliary will be continually adding
scriptures to the current list and send
out more scriptures for you and your family.

(Man shall not live by bread alone)

*****

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear (Isaiah 59:1)

____________

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth
out fear: because fear hath torment. He that
feareth is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18)

____________

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean
not unto thine own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)

____________

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24)

____________

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)

____________

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7)

____________

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom. 10:13)

____________

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalm 34:6)

____________

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

____________

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  (Psalm 34:18)

____________

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (John 14:2)

____________

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?  (Amos 3:6)

____________

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.  (Matthew 11:29)

____________

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7)

____________

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Short Inspiration from the Scriptures: Ministers!


Ministers

(And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren ye have done it unto me.)
– Matthew 25:40 –

 

difference-2048174_1920

There are deep longings and unanswered questions that settle in the hearts of masses of people. They look for ways out and would confide in anyone who is trustworthy and able to help them. In countless ways — ministers run to their rescue — they are in place and the world has been touched by these servants of God! The Lord has fashioned some ministers to help reach into the very core of hurting, yet seeking-people (Prov. 20:5; I Cor. 14:24-25). They have gone through experiences that qualify them to be used by God to minister on great levels, as well (II Timothy 2:20-21). Ministers minister in every way imaginable to lonely and despondent people. They are doing a great work for Christ by their shear masses. All across the globe, ministers for Christ have been strategically placed in areas of spiritual leadership, and yet, they have servant hearts (Matt. 25:34-40). Even with all the ministry that takes place, everywhere people are still waiting for these true representatives of Christ to come forth. In comparison, the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Thousands are ready for spiritual awakening and ministers will lead that cause…for, how shall they hear without a preacher? People must be led into a loving relationship with Christ! Are you that minister? If so…God has given you the power to make a difference and change lives!

Let’s be about our Father’s business!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Fighting Our Enemies!


ICEA – “Church At Study”

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

 

pexels-photo-339805.jpeg

Would you like to offer a seminar, training, group discussion, or panel discussion on spiritual warfare? Use our template to just fill in presenters’ names; everything else has been supplied with this simple handout.

 

Here are the topics:

Presenter #1 – Fighting to be Faithful
Presenter #2 – Fighting in Stressful Times
Presenter #3 – Fighting in Senior Years
Presenter #4 – Fighting the Enemy of Fear
Presenter #5 – Fighting for Our Children
Presenter #6 – Fighting the Enemy of Our Past
Presenter #7 – Fighting as a Man
Presenter #8 – Fighting as a Woman
Presenter #9 – Fighting and Knowing Your Enemy

CLICK BELOW FOR HANDOUT:

Fighting Our Enemies (blank form)

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment