Tag: Ephesians

Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 6:17 Sword of the Spirit

Posted on by Christy Petty

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Take the Sword of the spirit. The spirit has a sword. And it is the word of God, the God Breathed Bible.  Out of all the pieces of armor,the only weapon is the Word of God. The shield, the armor protects, it defends, but the sword is used in a defensive and an offensive way, to attack, to cut, possibly to annihilate , to defend and stop one from attacking. We are to take up the Word of God and use it to defend, to protect, to wield off evil. 

 

To use a sword you must know how. You need to know your sword, know the weight of it in your hand, be able to use it. The sword must be polished, and sharpened, the edges not marred nor changed. If the metal breaks or rusts away it is ruined. We must know Gods Word, hear it, study it. We must take care to not allow His word to become distorted in our hands.  

 

With out a weapon all we can do is just stand, in our armor. Yes, we can raise our shield, our faith, but we can not stop the attacks. We can stop the attack with God’s word, our sword. We could pierce the heart of an unbeliever with God’s word, and they too could take on their armor. 

It is interesting, too, that we do not need other weapons. God’s Word is enough.  Also the weapon we are to take on is one that is used in close combat. Not one we shoot away from us, like and arrow. A sword is used in close combat, the trial is felt up close and personal. 

 

What is the substance of our sword? 

Hebrews 4:12 the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.– Living Powerful, Discerner,sharper than two-edged sword. God

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path  Lamp, it illuminates, shows THE WAY

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.   Truth

John 1:14 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.  Jesus

I think about a knight fighting, holding the shield up, blocking the blows of incoming evil as he swings the sword. The skill used with a sword, standing firm, jabbing into unprotected areas of the opponent. A sword is not just used to deflect, like the shield, it is used to conquer. A soldier does not just knock the opponent down. The warrior does not use the sword to scratch the skin. The sword is used to stop the enemy, in his tracks, so he can not attack again. God’s word can destroy the enemy.

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Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 6:16 Shield of Faith

Posted on by Christy Petty

Ephesians 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with    we must actively use our faith.  An actual shield does nothing, even if it is the biggest and the strongest, unless it is picked up and held up as a barrier to the blows. James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.    Faith needs a whole study of it’s own. Faith is something to be had, something to exercised, it is belief. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is  our first line of defense: we have the rest of the armor, but we weaken the blows, deflect some completely with the shield. We guard the against the onslaught of attack.  The body can take so many blows, even if it is protected. Matthew 14:31  Peter believed in Jesus, he walked on water, yet when he let doubt in, he sank. Doubt came past his little faith shield. Faith did not change the Truth, did not remove the righteousness, but the lack of sank the man, in the armor.  Faith gives us the power to move forward to push against evil. The doubt the worry, the fear hits us when we let our faith down., when we stop believing that God does work all for our Good, when we listen to man and the hopelessness of the world Matthew 17:20. ………which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. With my faith, I am able. To stop ALL the attacks from Satan. Satan is attacking.

The main thought I have, I MUST take up my shield, I must take the action. God does not do it for me. He does not make me use my faith. My action matters a great deal.  Any thoughts of yours?

The Helmet of Salvation is next.  Without Salvation from Death, we have no reason to live. 

 

Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 6:10-15 Part of the Armor.

Posted on by Christy Petty

 The armor of God is not a quick and easy. I am going to break this up even more.  We will study Ephesians 6:10-15- The belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness and the sandal of Peace.  

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This is an action to choose, not magical ability from being a believer, this is a choice to make. To be strong.  In the Lord. Something we are capable of doing by putting on the ‘armor’ 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Taking the instructions of God, abiding to God in order to withstand Satan’s attack.  Satan IS attacking.  We will fail without God. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. There is a ‘battle’ we are in. A struggle not from the guy next door, but the forces that drive the guy next door, the evil, the WORLD. Not against the person reading this, but against the natural worldly desires that tempt and pull and turn you and me. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Protect yourself, you have been given the tools the protection, but YOU have to put action to it. Evil, temptation WILL come. Once you equip yourself -STAND, know that you are protected. Don’t run. Don’t sleep. Don’t fall. Don’t fail.  I don’t even see attack, I see stand. DEFEND.  The war-horse, the ‘meek’ is disciplined, trained to know what to do in battle. To obey. 

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, The TRUTH is Gods word. Psalm 119:160 John 17:17  2 Timothy 3:16 Jesus is the word. John 1:14 Jesus is the Truth John 14:6  We walk in the Truth and the Light when we become adopted, when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Me in Him and Christ in me. Just as I became and AM a Sanders, being adopted by my family, I take on that name, that inheritance, I, by all observance, am a Sanders.  

THE  BELT: A girdle, belt, of armor holds it all together. The Truth MUST be put in place to hold the armor on. To the hold the armor that is protecting on. Christ MUST be in place, must be accepted or all will fall away. Christ must be in place. If I have a belt but don’t wear it, it does me no good.

having put on the breastplate of righteousness, The Breastplate protects all the vital organs. IE the heart.  A blow to these organs is usually fatal, or at least a slow painful recovery. The heart is used to describe what we believe, what we desire, where we put our God. Our heart leads us, we follow our heart. Exodus 35:21 Deuteronomy 6:5 Deuteronomy 30:6 Psalm 101:4 Psalm 112:7 Isaiah 44:20 Romans 10:9 Mark 7:21 Luke 6:45

Righteousness is God’s righteousness, not ours. Our righteousness is self righteousness, which is not right at all.  God’s righteousness justifies and frees from condemnation, from   God. It is imputed by God.  Righteousness is also imparted by Christ. Christ works it in us. Romans 8:11 ,Psalm 119:172,1 Corinthians 15:34, Philippians 3:9 We are equipped with righteousness, to protect our souls.

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

a quote from gotquestions.org preparation of the feet for spiritual conflict. In warfare, sometimes an enemy places dangerous obstacles in the path of advancing soldiers. The idea of the preparation of the gospel of peace as footwear suggests what we need to advance into Satan’s territory, aware that there will be traps, with the message of grace so essential to winning souls to Christ. Satan has many obstacles placed in the path to halt the propagation of the gospel  .

Isaiah 52:7 God speaks of the feet of him that speaks peace that brings good news(Gospel means ‘Good news’) Peace will be once Christ reigns forever more, could this be stand on this knowledge?.

Next will be our, faith, our salvation, the Spirit-Word of God, all polished up with prayer.

Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 6 :1-9

Posted on by Christy Petty

Ephesians 6:1-9

There is a lot in this chapter to look at. It seems to me even though the theme stays the same, “How to Walk as Christ” the intensity of the walk, the steepness of the climb changes at 10. So I will address 1-9 first. 

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. Paul gives instruction to children, as we should, expecting them to follow through, as we should. Paul is speaking to children, so they are present at this teaching/instruction  of how to walk as a Christian, not off in ‘children’s Church.’  “the first commandment with promise” referring to the 10 commandments God presented to Moses, and the Israelites. The Law.  So from this comes The Law is something to still be considered, to still use as a tool, an example in the walk as a Christian.  Paul would not have brought it up if it was not.  He points out that this is the first commandment with a promise. Meaning the first ‘Do this and you will have a result, a positive consequence. I personally believe the ‘live long on the earth’  is as simple as ; If you obey your parents and do not run out in the street as they tell  you , you will not be hit by a car and die. The Christy Petty Version.  Our parents are/were there to guide and teach our obedience to them is necessary for our livelihood, our living to be adults ourselves.  When we disobeyed our parents instructions we had consequences.

4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.    Fathers, probably mothers too? But maybe just fathers, because they had the tendency to provoke? Don’t pick on them, nag them, on worldly selfish things but of the instruction for livelihood, as per instruction guiding from God.  How many things do we ask of our children that have nothing to do with living Godly lives? How many things do we ask of our children that is to satisfy our own worldly ideals? It is the worldly instruction that causes the strife.

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,  No slaves today, so we usually apply this to our workplace,employee = slave.  I don’t know if this is correct. I do think it gives us good instruction on the attitude to have to anyone we ‘serve’. Don’t serve begrudgingly serve with a giving heart, even though those we serve may not deserve such respect.  BUT don’t have the attitude to do so as to get praise to get reward to get recognition from MAN, but do the job because you are actually working to please God.  Just as submission to any.

8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. We receive the same good we do from the Lord. Here is the Give and receive, we hear in God’s word so often. The twist here though is, if we are doing anything in order to receive, then again we are not working for the right thing, we are working for the reward of our own, not for the gift of the serving itself. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also[b] is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Those that manage, master, employ, are to do so with a giving heart also, not mistreating. The example being God. God shows not partiality to us, so we are not to treat others thus…. Whoa, that one is tough.

So what do you think? Thus far Paul has explained to us/ believers how to walk as one in obedience in Christ. How we can emulate Jesus’ walk. By Paul giving instruction of ‘how to’ we know that this is a choice, something to be learned, and it does not ‘happen’ just because we are believers. We still have to battle the worldly old man in ourselves.

Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 5

Posted on by Christy Petty

Not living ‘as Gentiles, unbelievers and being kind to others, being pleasing to God, not greiving the Holy spirit….5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Christ is OUR sacrifice to God,

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. If unclean, speak foolishly, coarsly,covet, worship anything other than God, fornicate you will receive nothing from the kingdom 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.  These things, even if someone tells you they are ‘ok’ are not, this is disobedience to God. Do not do as they do, do not be with these people that do such. Remove yourself from this influence.8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit[b] is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. You did as those of the world, but now you know better, do as the one you follow, Jesus Christ.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  Do not have a relationship with those who are worldly, instead show others, their evil, their darkness, by your light, your choosing to not be as they. Expose the evil for what it is.12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  ? “them” want to keep it secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.14 Therefore He says:  to expose the darkness/evil by our light(Christ) makes the evil known so that others can see it for what it is.

“Awake, you who sleep,Arise from the dead,And Christ will give you light.”

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, don’t blindly follow, know what you are following. Use the brain God gave you16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. KNOW what you are doing,understand educate17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; it is a waste of time of self, can not produce anything drunk. but be filled with the Spirit, let the Holy Spirit take up your time,  your life, not a waste.19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things all things, all things, all things be thankful for. to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.[c] Give way to other believers, in respect of God. With the leading of Holy Spirit, by choosing to speak God’s word, Psalms, worship with by giving thanks for all things, we are submitting to others… In addition to submitting to all believers22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Respect your husband, obey your husband place him as the leader of you just as you place God in this place. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.Appreciate, the sacrifice made for you by your husband, just as you appreciate the sacrifice Christ made for you25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,Christ died for the church, took on pain for the church, was scourged for the church, and did not deserve. Christ did not do any of this to get anything from us, it was a gift. This is sacrificial love  Husbands are to love wives without the gaurantee of return. 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, Christ did this to benefit the church, to cleanse the church27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. This removed any ‘wrong’ covered the sins of the church, Christ no longer looks on these, only the perfection he has covered the church with 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. The wife, being presented as unblemished by the husband to himself shall be cared for and loved as he loves and cares for himself.  29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord doesthe church.  30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones.  Beleivers are a ‘part’ of Christ. A wife is a ‘part’ of the husband. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[e] 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. I think this is saying -not as in sex, but in spirit, just as Christ is one with a believer 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.– Husbands choose to love wife, to allow, to give to, to care for, to indulge, to discipline, to nurture just as you do yourself, you can not be selfish, because you are giving to her as yourself.  Wives, know your husband as the head, the one who sacrifices self for you.  All of this ‘submit’ /love/respect is a choice. A choice between walking as a believer in Christ or one in the darkness. 

What do you think? 

Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 4

Posted on by Christy Petty

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you- Since you are all saved and are Children of God, believers to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Be humble,not proud,we are called to walk just as Jesus walked. We are to not have conflict to work towards being by the Holy Spirit we, believers all posses 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you[a] all. Not Jew Gentile,Baptist Pentecost, all who beleive in Jesus Christ for who HE IS are ONE through him.7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8  I need help here!!!Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”[b]

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first[c] descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) I think this is Paul making point to those who are not accepting Jesus to have come, died and gone to ‘death’ and ascended from.’11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, this is the ‘gifts, measure’ spoken of in 7 &8 ? 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; We are to be taught, learn, teach others, grow in wisdom and faith so that… 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, Men, even believers,immature can be speaking lies, twisting the truth, causing many to be confused lead them astray15 but, speaking the truth in love, Truth in Love, speak Gods truths, even if they go against what some may want to believe false doctrine Paul was.- So we ALL….may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, each person has a ‘job’ to do. causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of[d] the Gentiles walk, Those that do not know the truth, those who have not been taught the truth in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: In order to NOT be ignorant, blind to God, to not walk in lewdness, uncleanness with greediness we must… 22 that you put off,choose concerning your former conduct, the old man- old ways, OUR FLESH WAY which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on choose the new man, child of God, not of the world which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”[e] for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin” It is ok to be angry, but do not sin in the anger:[f] do not let the sun go down on your wrath,27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands WORK, we are to work, to not work and receive would be to steal!what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. We work to GIVE to those in need!29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. VERY Convicting, NO Corrupt word, only what will edify, help others. This is on the tail of speak the truth in love, and do not lie.  So to speak truthfully and tell one of even WRONGS would not be corrupt, it is truth in love, BUT to speak lies, speak to one for selfish needs would be wrong. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. All of this would go with the contempt, and the correct way to walk 4:2, humble as Christ 32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Forgive as God in Christ forgave you, we are forgiven by God for denying Him, for choosing Satan and all of his ways over God and his righteousness, for disobedience to God, for bringing sin in this world and keeping it here. We were forgiven by God, through the death of Jesus Christ.

Anyone have any other thoughts…..

Posted in Ephesians

Ephesians 3

Posted on by Christy Petty

Ephesians 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6the secret that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, as the Israelites, ‘Sons of Abraham’ and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints,humbling himself this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[c] 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

All of these requests by Paul for either these Gentiles or all Believers from this point on, is inspiring and teaching to me as what I ‘can’ request from God , what I have ‘access’ to if I acknowledge?

  • to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man 
  • Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height
  • 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; 
  • that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, this reaffirms my previous thoughts, he is ABLE to do more than we would ask or think, beyond our comprension, I believe FOR us,through the Holy Spirit in us, that also directs… 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Anyone have any other ideas?