CONCERNING THE SPIRITUAL: DRESS FOR WAR

09/09/2023

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant..." (1 Corinthians 12:1)

Not every thought that pops up in your mind is yours. Depending on the nature of a thought you can tell its origin. The Bible describes certain thoughts as high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God (refer to 2 Corinthians 10:5). For example, you are in a public space and all of a sudden, every member of the opposite sex becomes overwhelmingly appealing. In another instance, it is an urge to shoplift at the shopping mall. Interestingly, these thoughts are so overwhelming that you begin to even doubt that you are still saved. Relax. You are still born again. The only issue is that you went into that public space, spiritually naked. 

Now, naturally would you conceive the idea of even leaving your house without putting on some clothes? I don't think so. Yet, so many believers do this, spiritually speaking. They leave their homes spiritually naked because of their ignorance. Now going back to today's theme scripture, we have established that aside from the translator's well-intentioned addition of the italicized gifts to the word spiritual, Paul was referring to the larger spiritual realm. And in a sense, was conveying the idea that God doesn't want you to be spiritually illiterate. 

So what does it mean to be spiritually naked? It means to fail to observe Ephesians 6:11 which says to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." And the subsequent verses from Ephesians 6:12-17 go on to describe the armour or protective clothing that we have to put on. However, Ephesians 6:18 tells us how to put on the armour, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—"

You may not know it but when you attend and participate in our early morning prayer meetings for example, you are putting on armour that would make you impervious to lustful and or witchcraft projections. Thoughts that might have been responsible for bad decisions and even accidents are repelled. "Coincidental" meetings with people assigned to derail you are supplanted. And the Lord wants you to not only be intentional about the value of prayer in keeping you properly clothed spiritually but to understand what to do when satanic thoughts try to overwhelm your mind.

Speak in tongues for long enough before you go out into the world. Never take it for granted that you are just going to a soccer game, or a family meeting or the mall, or to work. The Bible says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy doesn't have a home. He prowls everywhere on God's earth in search of volunteer victims. Understand that ignorance is a form of volunteer victimhood and God would have none of His children partake in such. 

Speak in tongues now for a moment and have a glorious time today!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am properly dressed when I go out in the world, praying in the Holy Spirit. No evil thoughts or high things can stand against me successfully because I know how to pull them down. I declare that I am victorious in all my dealings in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Prayer of affirmation

I affirm that I am the temple of the Holy Ghost and my body function for God. Therefore, every organ, tissue and cell in my body complies with the word of God. My body is not sustained by blood, but by the vitalizing power of the Holy Spirit in me. I declare that the Holy Spirit is at work in me; therefore, my body is daily renewed! I dwell continually in health through the working of His mighty power in me. Hallelujah!!!