WHO HAS THE POWER?

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20

Verse 12: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

Some of the sin that people commit is not as much a matter of their activity, as it is a matter of the effect of their activity on them. For example, it would usually be ridiculous to say that the activity of  eating food is sinful. In fact eating is something we need to do to sustain our bodies. Also a meal can be an important family time, or a way to observe a special occasion. Handling our food intake in special ways, including fasting, is sometimes a manner of serious preparation. On the other hand,  when eating food becomes gluttony, it is a sin. One definition for gluttony is “riotous eating”. This definition implies loss of control over eating. The difference between appropriate eating and gluttony, is a matter of control. The same is true of many other activities. When the activity controls the person, God’s dominion is abandoned and sin results. Therefore the verse quoted above applies. We, like Paul, must not give power to our activities. Dominion should be granted only to Almighty God. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How can you understand what is helpful?

2. What safeguards will help you to avoid giving power to activities?

FIRM FOOTING

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-17

Verse 15: “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

According to Ephesians 6, the whole armor of God makes us able to withstand in the evil day. We are to stand in boots of peace. At the time the Apostle Paul lived, a bare-footed soldier would have been seriously disadvantaged in warfare. Protection for their feet was needed so they could stand in place in their ranks. These days, the devil attacks our footing in Christ. He attempts to make us unsure of our standing using disruption, stress, distraction, pressures, temptations and other means. His goal is to cause turmoil in our lives so that we will lose contact with the Lord. The Lord provides protection from this tactic by providing the gift of peace. As we receive the peace of the Lord, it protects us  from the turmoil of our enemy and his servants. Boots protected the feet and the stance of ancient soldiers. The peace of God protects our standing in Christ. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is the usual manner in which peace comes to you?

2. Do you consider yourself to be a peacemaker? Why or why not.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20

Verse 12: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

As we look at the behaviors of people in the world around us, there is a response that is frequently seen. We see people crowding lawful limits. They try to go as far as they can and get as much as they can. They stop only when they get as close as possible to the line that separates them from trouble. This type of behavior frequently results in loss and harm for them, and even to include others who may be affected. These people may remain within the prescribed rules, but overall their actions may  not be helpful. The Apostle Paul encourages a different standard for behavior. This standard is described in the verse above. He rejects the concept of getting away with as much as possible. In its  place he favors behaviors that produce benefit, favor and harmony. As usual, he provides a good example and leads in excellence. His approach is good for us too. Let’s not take advantage of what is lawful, but instead let’s stand for what is helpful. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Does this reading apply to the practice of driving five miles per hour faster than the posted speed limit?

2. What is the greatest danger in crowding the line?

UNASSAILABLE

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-17

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

According to Ephesians 6, the whole armor of God makes us able to withstand in the evil day. We are to stand taking the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. The armor used by ancient soldiers  was for the most part defensive as it was designed to minimize injury in battle. The sword was the primary individual offensive weapon during those times. The sword of the Spirit is also the offensive  component of the whole armor of God. The devil attacks truth with deception, righteousness with unrighteousness, peace with turmoil, faith with doubt, and he attacks salvation by attempting to distract people from redemption. When it comes to the word of God, however, there can be no real  attack. Satan must always relent to the word of the Lord. There is no weak spot. It is invulnerable in every way! This was powerfully illustrated as Jesus used the word against him in the wilderness. It is the unassailable means by which the warfare is victoriously taken to the enemy. By the word of the Spirit, destruction is taken to the kingdom of darkness. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What do you think about the sword of the Spirit?

2. Can the sword be used well enough to eliminate the need for the other elements of the armor?

THE TRUTH WILL OUT

READING: ACTS 19:23-41

Verse 27: “So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the word worship.”

The truth of God is powerful and compelling. In fact, it is so compelling that people at times confess it even though they don’t understand what they are doing, don’t know they are doing it and would  strongly object if they did know. There is a scriptural case in point, and it is found in Acts 19:27 as quoted above. In the city of Ephesus, Christian truths were interfering with the sale of shrines which were used to worship a Roman goddess. A silversmith who made these shrines saw this Christian  influence as a threat to his occupation and began to incite his fellow silversmiths against it. He frightened them by telling them that Christianity would drive them out of business and diminish the goddess whose reputation was at stake. This man’s intent was malicious and fully ungodly. Even so, regardless of the destructive nature of his motive, he powerfully spoke the truth about what would happen. He was an involuntary prophet of truth, although it was against his own will and purpose. This event is another demonstration of the power of truth which must, and will, be expressed. Not  even its greatest opponents of truth will be able to suppress it as ordained by Almighty God. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How will you respond in the future when you observe truth being involuntarily spoken?

2. Can you identify another situation in the Bible when truth was inadvertently spoken?

THE PROTECTION OF LIFE

READING: EPHESIANS 6:10-18

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

According to Ephesians 6, the whole armor of God makes us able to withstand in the evil day. As we stand we are to take the helmet of salvation. Soldiers in the time of the Apostle Paul, like today’s soldiers, wore helmets to protect their heads and especially their brains. This is vital protection! The body can survive damage or loss of many of its organs. However, when a person’s brain ceases to  operate, that person can’t live. Likewise a person can survive in a relationship with the Lord, even though some aspects of the relationship may be missing or damaged. But when the power of salvation is not operating in a person’s spiritual life, that person can not have a living relationship with God. That person misses the very purpose for which they, and all of us, are created. As the helmet provides for life in battle, so salvation provides for abundant life in relating to Holy God. That’s a thought - about God’s Word.

RESPONSE 

1. How is the spiritual protection of salvation different from the physical protection of a soldier’s helmet?

2. What are five major ways in which salvation promotes life?

IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

READING: MATTHEW 22:34-40

Verse 37: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”

Some Christians are frustrated by a lack of fulfillment in their relationships with the Heavenly Father. They are unable to accept Him as the Father He is. Many such people can quote chapter and verse in describing God and His nature, but merely as exercises in memory or intellect. They know about the Lord in their heads, but do not know Him personally in their hearts. More than head knowledge is needed! Matthew 22:37 make it clear that we must use our hearts, souls and minds in relating to God. The problem for many is that, in spite of their head knowledge, there is confusion in their hearts. At heart level they relate to the Lord as they related to parents or their most significant earthly authority figures. Lack of fulfillment in those earthly relationships is unconsciously transferred to their  relationships with the Heavenly Father, the ultimate authority figure. In these cases, acceptance of God’s perfect love for them, is the powerful key to fulfillment with Him. There is great liberty and victory in knowing Almighty God as He really is. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.
 

RESPONSE

1. Have you accepted adjustment to your image of God? Why or why not?

2. Is it your heart, soul or mind that dominates in your love of the Lord?