Last week we looked at “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” from Ephesians 5:10.
One thing that we know is pleasing to the Lord is when we live according to His Word.
Psa 138:2 ESV – I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
In this sixth chapter of Ephesians, we have a clear statement of the Word that most Christians give assent to, but do not realize its outworking.
Eph 6:12 ESV – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We readily admit that we are at war with an unseen enemy. We readily admit that “though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
(2 Cor. 10:3-4)
But, what is our practice?
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but we will picket a store of ill-repute.
The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but we will march against abortion.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but we will quickly sue for justice in a court of law.
The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but we will start a campaign against the pastor.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but we readily accept a diagnosis of some sort of “disorder.”
The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but we will join in every e-mail or letter-writing campaign against something offensive.
Am I saying that these things do no good? Not at all!
But, do they really change things? Hardly at all.
What are the weapons of our warfare? How are we to defeat the schemes of the enemy?
Only through personal discipline.
The weapons of our warfare require that we be a disciplined people; that individually we are each a disciplined person.
Returning to 2 Corinthians, lest us consider what Paul says about how we are to defeat the spiritual powers in high places: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (ESV).
While this may be considered a proof for the necessity of apologetics, it is a word for all believers–not just those skilled in logic and rhetoric. We each–YOU–are to destroy arguments and opinions in your own mind and life that come against the knowledge of God.
That means you must have a discipline of, for, and in the Word of God.
This “Blogged Bible Study“, for which I am writing, is being sponsored by some brothers who emphasize this aspect of our relationship with the Lord. Their theme is Philippians 4:8–“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV)
The major emphasis from this verse is think about these things. What do you allow your mind to entertain? It takes personal discipline to keep your mind focused, to keep it on the things listed in verse 8.
It is in that place where you will begin to experience some of the power of using your spiritual weaponry.
NOTE: This is the sixth in a weekly posting on the Epistle to the Ephesians. I am not the only one who is writing on this book. There are others who will be posting something on their blog each day of the week. We are each bringing something that the Lord gives us from chapter six of the epistle. You will be greatly blessed and encouraged, and your heart will be filled if you will take the time to read each day’s posting from one of the other saints involved in this collective effort. Put the following link in your “favorites” or on your link bar at the top of your browser: http://www.philter48.com/bbs/ and make it a point to visit everyday.
