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The Unseen Battle

21 Jun
The Unseen Battle

I’m continuing my posts through the book of Ephesians. Paul is writing about the spiritual battle we’re in. I think that the church gets in trouble when it loses sight of this. If we don’t understand the battle, then we’ll never walk in victory.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

The Scripture is clear. The battle takes place in the unseen world. My fight isn’t against people or even the issues that I can see with my eyes.

It would be so much easier if I could see my enemy. The fact is that there’s no group that you can point to and say, “They’re the enemy.” People and organizations are not the enemy.

We want to blame someone. “It’s their fault.” That’s not the attitude we should have. It’s clear from Scripture that the enemy is unseen. There is a whole spiritual world that’s just out of reach to our five senses. It cannot be felt or touched, yet it’s just as real.

The people around me are the casualties – prisoners of war held captive in unseen detention centers. Sometimes they don’t even want to be set free because the deception feels so good at the moment. My job is not to try and convince them to join with me.

The role of the church is to fight the unseen enemy. Tear down the invisible walls. Then turn the light on in the prison cells so that the captives can see the truth of their situation. Only then will they run to Christ the Savior.

But this seems to be the hardest thing to get believers to understand. Our struggle is not in the physical world, but the spiritual. It’s not us vs. the world. I’m not trying to get them to change sides. That will never bring about the desired results.

I want the same mindset that Jesus had when He walked the earth.

…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 John 3:8b

We need to know that there’s a spiritual world, and that’s where our battle is being fought right now. But how many of us really understand what that means? While many believers can quote 2 Corinthians 2:4 – the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world – we don’t get the whole picture.

We don’t use physical weapons, but does that mean that the war itself is any different than a natural war? The enemy’s kingdom is very organized. The verse I started with talks about many levels of authority in their ranks. It’s time that the church gets organized for battle as well.

We also need to realize that this unseen world is organized. Actually, it’s more organized than the church. The enemy knows that the battle for souls goes on 24/7. We like to take breaks and holidays from the struggle. We think that because we did something special for God today, we can take the next few days off – “let our hair down” for a while. I believe that’s why the church in America seems to be so ineffective for the most part.

Do you realize that Satan has never personally attacked you? He has probably never even planned anything to come against you. We only face the lower levels of the dark forces; the rulers and authorities.

That’s why when you step up in ministry there’s a shift to a more intense battle. You find yourself moving up the ranks and facing tougher opponents in the spirit.

It’s time for God’s people to take this unseen battle seriously. We need to begin living our faith the way God intended us to. We need to lift up the Word of God as an offensive weapon against the darkness of this age. It’s time for the light of Christ to shine through us to set the captives free.

Be a part of God’s victorious church. Arm yourself for the unseen battle through prayer and the Word. It’s time to strike fear into the heart of the true enemy – the unseen kingdom of darkness.

We need a revival.

Question: What needs to take place for the church as a whole to wake up?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 21, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Warfare

 

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The Full Armor of God

19 Jun
The Full Armor of God

In my last post, I started talking about the spiritual battle that we’re involved in. The problems we face and the people who annoy us are not the issue. The real fight is with the unseen world around us.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11

We’re told to put on the armor. I’ve heard many believers talk about it, but do we understand what this means? Do we even know what the armor really is?

First and foremost we need to realize that this is the armor of God. It’s not my armor; it belongs to God. Actually, it’s God’s personal suit of armor. It was talked about back in the Old Testament.

At one point Isaiah got a prophetic picture of God getting himself ready for battle.

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
Isaiah 59:17

Because of the Lord’s outer garments, Isaiah could only see the helmet and breastplate. But that’s enough to know who the armor belongs to. The point is this – it’s not made to fit us, but God. That’s why being in Christ is so important.

The fact is that we’re told to put on the full armor of God. If I have to put it on, then I’m not automatically fully clothed. Putting on the armor is something I need to do.

I also believe that “confessing the armor on” or “praying it on” is not enough. While I do believe in confessing and praying the Word of God, there’s more involved here.

For instance, if you’re not walking in faith, you haven’t picked up your shield no matter how many times you confess that you’re holding it. The same with truth. If you’re not walking in the truth of the Word of God, then no amount of praying will put the belt on you.

In order to be protected, we need to be using the armor daily. We need to be walking in truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Only through practice can a warrior get good at using his armor and weaponry.

There are no overnight successes. We either use it or there’s no victory for us. The devil is playing for keeps. He’s not going to back down simply because we claim to have armor.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8-9

The enemy’s looking for an easy victim. Not one that’s fully armed. This verse literally says that he’s looking for someone he can gulp down in one bite.

Given the choice, do you think he’d rather take on a naked believer thinking that they’re armed or a spiritual warrior fully clothed and trained for battle? The answer is clear. Don’t be a meal for the enemy’s kingdom.

My prayer is that the church of Jesus Christ once again rises up in the Lord’s strength. Not just a few little groups here and there, but a majority of God’s people. That’s why this blog exists.

Don’t be the enemy’s next victim. Take your stand in the full armor of God.

Question: What’s the greatest challenge that you’re facing right now?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2023 in Power of God, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Warfare

 

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Strong in the Lord

16 Jun
Strong in the Lord

As we continue through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we now come to the section known as the Armor of God. It’s all about the spiritual battles that we face. I feel that this is one of the most important teachings of Scripture, so I’ll probably spend a lot of time in this section.

It’s unfortunate that many Christians wait until they’re in the middle of a spiritual firefight to learn how to be victorious. I might be dating myself, but one of my favorite Sy-Fy movies is The Matrix. It had an interesting concept.

Because they lived in a virtual world, if they needed to know Karate, they could just download it into their brain. If they needed to fly a helicopter, they could download that knowledge. We need to realize that our spiritual struggle doesn’t work like that.

How do we prepare for the challenges ahead? The same way a soldier does. Boot camp consists of two aspects – knowledge and work.

For us, it’s knowledge of the Scripture and God’s voice. Then we have to work at implementing what we know to do.

You may be thinking, “That’s not an easy thing to do.” You’re right. In most cases it turns out to be beyond our ability. But that’s why understanding the spiritual battle is so important.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10

I’m glad that we’re not told to psych ourselves up and power our way through the challenges. I don’t want to have to rely on my willpower. I’ve got an advantage that the world doesn’t have.

I’m told to be strong in the Lord. Sometimes this goes against our nature. We want the ability to brag about our accomplishments. We want to say that our intelligence or strength was what it took to overcome the obstacles before us.

Many Christians would rather bury their heads in the sand than face the truth. We’re in a battle. We’re fighting for the souls of the men and women around us. Most of them are not even aware of what’s really going on in the spirit.

That’s why so often we make our plans then ask God to bless them. Wouldn’t we be much better off if we asked the Lord for His plan right at the start?

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11

The fact is that it’s not about my glory, but His. If I were able to lay hold of my own destiny, why would I need Christ? The work before me is too much for me by myself.

If you’re not facing any challenges, then you’re not living up to your full potential in Christ. That statement is true, whether we want to hear it or not. As much as we’d like a nice easy road, that’s not what the Lord promised us.

When we finally learn to admit this truth, life gets so much more enjoyable. Not that I can sit back and let God do all the work, but I know He’s there to cover my weaknesses. I don’t have to worry about whether I can handle the problem or not.

If I’ll draw on His strength and listen to the Holy Spirit, then there’s nothing that can stop me. We need to rest in God’s ability and not our own.

Question: What are you going through right now that’s too big for you to handle?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 16, 2023 in Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Warfare

 

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Mutual Submission Part Two

14 Jun
Mutual Submission Part Two

In my last post, we began looking at the section of Ephesians that talks about submission. To review, here’s the verse Paul started with.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21 NIV

I talked about husbands and wives. Now we’ll go on to other relationships.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV

Now we get into the parent and child relationships. The home is the first place we learn to be obedient. Unfortunately, we live in a society where disobedience is held in high regard.

But, it doesn’t end with childhood. Once you grow up, there’s still an obligation. That’s to honor our parents. Especially for believers, this needs to be a part of our adult life.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

Then, there’s the role of the father. Too often, it’s ignored in our modern society. We somehow feel that raising children is the mother’s area. Scripture takes a different view.

That word, exasperate, literally means to anger alongside. I believe that’s talking about a father who only shows up to tell a child that they’re wrong. Or that they’re disappointed with them. That’s a very frustrating childhood.

Instead, our role should be that of a trainer. Our goal as a father should be the emotional and spiritual strength of our children.

This verse tells us that we need to give them instruction in the Lord. This means that we call attention to the ways of the Lord. We do that by allowing our children to see us praying and reading the Scripture. Spiritual manhood is something that can’t be overemphasized.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Ephesians 6:5-8 NIV

No, the Bible does not support slavery, but just the opposite. The book of Philemon is testimony to that. However, it does talk about things that were common practices in society, slavery being one of them.

This can be applied to the employee, employer relationship. Wherever we find ourselves in that corporate chain of command, we need to realize that Christ is our ultimate manager. We must work as we would work for Christ Himself.

That includes when they’re not watching us. We need to be a witness to the goodness of God, no matter what we’re doing. That also includes the times when we’re the ones in charge.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Ephesians 6:9 NIV

Business owners need to act as Jesus would. Treat those under you with love and respect. This is how we show forth the glory of God. We desire to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ attractive to as many people as possible.

Question: How well do you portray Christ in you work relationships?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 14, 2023 in Prayer, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

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Mutual Submission Part One

12 Jun
Mutual Submission Part One

We’re continuing through the book of Ephesians. We’re coming to the part where many use it to force others to do their will. That’s not the intent. Listen carefully to how the apostle begins this section.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21 NIV

This verse literally says to place yourselves under one another in the fear of God. That’s where it starts. God is the one in charge. I’m submitting myself to His authority.

Then, no matter where He places me, I’m under His care. The Lord is still on the throne. I don’t have to worry or get upset about what others are doing. I have to make sure my attitude is right.

Paul then talks about different areas of submission.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:22-24 NIV

I know that there are many husbands who use this to demand absolute obedience in their homes. Is that really what this is saying?

The key question is, how does the church submit to Christ? How do you submit to Christ? The fact is that Jesus doesn’t show up at your door demanding you to do something. Then, if you don’t follow through, does He scold you for your disobedience?

That’s not how our Lord operates. He lets us know what His desire is for us. But then, it’s up to us whether we pursue it or not.

Of course, many times husbands will ignore the next part. I think it’s the most difficult to accomplish.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV

This is a hard road to follow. As a husband, I need to see the example of Christ and the church. Then, I must live it out the way Christ does.

What does this mean? Think about it. How is the Lord perfecting His church? Does He use yelling and tantrums when He doesn’t get His way? Absolutely not.

Right now, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for His church. He is speaking the Word of God over us. This is the path that a good husband must take.

How much time do you spend in prayer for your family? That’s what it comes down to – time spent in prayer. That’s where we have to lay down our lives.

There are so many other things we want to do. Playing sports or video games can take up a lot of our time. How important is our family to us?

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church – for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:28-33 NIV

This section says it all. If I’m not giving up something, then I’m not following through with this. A great husband and wife relationship requires a form of submission from both parties.

I can say that my wife and I have been married for over 40 years. This is what keeps us together and happy through whatever comes our way.

Question: How well do you submit to Christ?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2023 in Prayer, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

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The High Ground of Thanks

09 Jun
The High Ground of Thanks

In my last post, I talked about Paul’s exhortation on singing in the church. It’s the way we keep our attitudes right before God and each other. He ends this verse with a call for a thankful attitude.

As believers, we need to live a life of thankfulness to God. What most people don’t realize is that walking in thankfulness actually places you in a position of spiritual power.

…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20 NIV

This is actually a poor translation of what the Apostle was saying. Paul literally said we should be always giving thanks…OVER everything. We need to understand that in the name of Christ we are over the situation.

This verse tells me that giving thanks raises me over any situation that I happen to be in right now. We see the problems and they look so big.

It’s just like the Israelites who spied out the Promised Land. Most of the spies only saw that there were giants living there. They announced to Israel, “We were grasshoppers in our eyes.”

But Joshua and Caleb, on the other hand, were looking through eyes of thankfulness. They were thanking God for giving them the land. Their attitude was, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory.”

It doesn’t matter how big the mountain is. Thankfulness puts you over it. How does that work?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6 NIV

You’re told not to worry about the situation you see before you. Listen to the response of God’s will. We are to go before God’s presence, then we bare our hearts before Him, and finally, we lay our needs at His feet.

Look at the outcome that’s promised to us.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 NIV

When you offer up thanksgiving in a worrisome situation, then the peace of God will begin its work in you. This verse says that it transcends your understanding. Do you know what that means?

The actual Greek word is Huperecho. It literally means to hold oneself above. So, when you present these challenging situations to God, with thanksgiving, God’s peace will hold you above all your human understanding.

This same peace of God will also be a guard, like sentries, around you. We need to see that it’s the peace OF GOD that will hold you above the circumstance.

But it’s the giving of thanks which results in the peace of God. Then, that peace is activated to hold you above the circumstance.

Allow the peace of God to work in you. Yes, thank God for all that He’s done in your life. But don’t stop there. If there’s anything that you’re facing that’s challenging or causing you to worry, thank God for the victory over it.

In faith, take the high ground today, and every day.

Question: What future victories do you need to thank God for right now?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 9, 2023 in Power of God, Prayer, Spiritual Walk

 

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Spiritual Music

07 Jun
Spiritual Music

We’re continuing through Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church. He’s been dealing with how we should interact with one another. He talked a lot about the “don’ts”. But there’s an important “do” that affects our attitudes.

Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:18b-20 NIV

It’s better to be around people who have good attitudes. I’d rather be with people who are singing than with those who are complaining. The church should be a place that’s filled with music and singing.

Did you know that the Bible speaks about how we should aim our singing? That’s what determines our attitudes. There are two goals we should direct our music toward.

Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.

Psalms 96:1-2 NIV

The first goal in our music should be pretty obvious.

Our music can be directed toward God in the praise of His glory. This is an important part of our relationship with the Lord. Singing His praises transports us into His presence.

I get so upset when believers view the praise and worship time as merely the “warm-up act” for the pastor’s preaching. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As we sing praise and thanksgiving to God, we’re brought into a deeper spiritual place. We become more open to the move of the Holy Spirit.

Praising God in song is an important part of a spiritual walk.

The second aim of music may surprise some of you. It’s what Paul talked about in the above verse.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord…

Ephesians 5:19 NIV

This aspect of our music can change the hearts of those around us.

Our music can be directed toward each other. There are many people (and I used to be one of them) that dislike the use of songs that are not directed toward God. This verse clearly shows the necessity of both types of music.

There are times when we need to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another. Why is that so important?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16 NIV

It’s through music that the Word of Christ can live richly in you. Singing music that’s directed at each other is a form of teaching and admonishing. As we sing, we learn.

This is an incredible truth. When my children were small, they learned all the states and their capitals because they were put to music. How much more important is it to get the Word into our hearts?

Through music, the Word of Christ can enter our lives and stay with us. That’s why I’m so adamant about not singing songs that contain bad doctrine. Too many Christians believe error because they learned it in their music.

We give praise to our God. We teach and admonish each other. Both of these can and should be done through the music of God’s people.

Question: Is there a song that opened up your eyes to a spiritual truth?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 7, 2023 in Encouragement, Music, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Purchasing Time

05 Jun
Purchasing Time

We’re continuing our walk through the book of Ephesians. We’re looking at how we should walk in the light of the Holy Spirit. Paul continues with this thought.

What he tells us is the foundation for revival. I want to see revival in the church. It’s obvious from what’s happening around us that we need it. The real question is; do we want it? And more than that, are we willing to do what it takes to lay hold of it?

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

In this passage, we’re once again told to be careful, to live wisely, and to pay attention. The days we live in are evil, hurtful.

I used to teach that inanimate things couldn’t be evil or good. After spending some time studying this verse, I realized that I was wrong. Things like days and money can be evil. It’s actually talked about throughout the New Testament. The times we’re living in are evil by influence and effect.

We’re told that we should be making the most of every opportunity. That literally means purchasing, buying time in the Greek.

God has set times where He wants to accomplish things through the church. But the times are evil. That means that it’s on us to redeem time.

We have been redeemed – from the law and the curse. Now we must redeem time from the curse. We must set aside times for God’s purposes.

We must purchase the time through prayer. That’s what he means by redeeming or purchasing the times.

We live in dangerous days. We want to see the hand of God at work. We must set the foundation through prayer and prayer in the spirit.

That’s why Paul goes on to say…

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:17-18

I’ve heard it said that we must pray the price. I never understood it until now. It’s time. Time to pray and purchase the appointed times for the move of God.

That’s what revival is going to take – time in the Lord’s presence. That’s where we find out what God’s will is. That’s where we receive His strategies for the days ahead.

That’s what Paul meant in talking about walking in the light and in the day. We are children of the light. More than anyone else, we should know and walk in God’s will.

It’s all based upon the prayers of His people. America desperately needs revival. Time set apart to Christ is the only way we’ll bring that to pass.

The unfortunate thing is that this generation seems to be extremely stingy with their time. If I said that a revival would cost a million dollars, we’d probably raise it pretty quick. But if I say it will take a week of meetings and prayer, where we clear our schedules for the move of God, few would take part in that.

It takes time to purchase revival. Those who want to discern the times and reap the harvest will redeem the time. We must pray the price, buying the time.

Question: How much time are you willing to clear up from your schedule for a move of God?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 5, 2023 in Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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Let the Light Do Its Work

02 Jun
Let the Light Do Its Work

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In my last post, I started talking about how we are to walk in the light of the knowledge of God. There’s a reason that this is good for us.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible.

Ephesians 5:11-14a NIV

This is a very important aspect of our walk with the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, this translation doesn’t do justice to what’s being brought before us. We really need to understand what the apostle is teaching us here.

The first thing he says, is that we shouldn’t be participants in the unfruitful works of the darkness. These are the things that we don’t want anyone to know about. They don’t produce any good fruit. They are the weeds in our spiritual garden.

Jesus said that these cares and desires choke the Word that we’re trying to plant in our lives (Mark 4:18-19). They cause it to be unfruitful in us.

This verse tells us that we need to expose these things. But expose is not really the word that Paul is using. He’s literally telling us to rebuke these things that would bring unfruitfulness. That means that we need to call them out as wrong.

No, I’m not talking about calling out the wrongs that other people are doing. I mean that we need to see our actions through God’s eyes, and rebuke ourselves, if needed. This is an important part of our Christian journey.

Paul was clear about this when writing to the Roman church.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live..

Romans 8:12-13 NIV

This is how we come against the fruitless misdeeds of the flesh. We must put them to death by the spirit. But, how can this be accomplished if we never acknowledge them as works of darkness?

The above verse from Ephesians is all about us allowing the light of the Holy Spirit to bring these things to our attention. The way the above verse is translated makes it sound like it’s talking about other people.

In reality, the word, disobedient, is not in the original Greek text. What Paul actually said was that it’s shameful to even talk about these secret things. We would probably be embarrassed to talk about these faults with others. That means we need to deal with them in the power of the spirit.

The last sentence above, tells us that everything the light rebukes, becomes apparent. That’s the job of the light. Spending time in the presence of the Lord, causes us to see things the way He does. It causes sin to look sinful to us.

That’s why Paul exhorts us to come into the light of the Holy Spirit.

This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:14b NIV

It’s very easy for us to become complacent in our sins and moral weaknesses. Time spent in the spirit changes all of that. If you want to see real change and a greater degree of fruitfulness, then apply this to your life. Allow the light of the Lord to expose, rebuke, and uproot these unfruitful works.

Question: How has the light of Christ exposed things in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on June 2, 2023 in Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Driven By the Light

31 May
Driven By the Light

We’re continuing our study through the letter to the Ephesian church. In my last post I discussed how we were to act in the body of Christ. Now Paul talks about why he gave those instructions.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10

This verse tells us that we should live the way a child of the light should live. The fruit of the light is the evidence that we’re walking in the light.

What is that light? The light in our lives is the knowledge of God. I don’t mean knowing about God. I’m talking about a personal knowledge of Him. The better we know Him, the more light we walk in.

That’s what qualifies us as children of light. We know the Lord, personally. We hear His voice and obey Him. We are children of light because we walk in the light of God’s Word.

This passage literally says that as children of the light, we need to test and approve what is well pleasing to the Lord. The more we walk in His light – the more we learn about pleasing Him.

It’s by pleasing the Lord that we secure the anointing. That’s a key concept that many miss out on.

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
1Thessalonians 2:4

I’ve asked this before. Where is your heart set? Who are you trying to please? Your anointing (God’s approval of your ministry) is resting on that answer. It’s not about how much you want it; instead, it’s wrapped up in the direction your heart is taking you.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21

What we have to realize is that in our own power we can never be well pleasing to God. It only comes from time spent in His presence. Only God’s power can secure our anointing.

We have to position ourselves to receive His power that works through us. We have to be driven to walk in the anointing.

This means that we have set our heart on it. It’s all about getting close enough in the spirit, to find out what’s well pleasing to Him. It’s the only way to get ourselves in the position to receive.

In the final analysis it can only be accomplished by His power at work in us.

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
2 Corinthians 5:9

Be driven to please God.

Question: What is God calling you to do that will require His power to accomplish?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on May 31, 2023 in Anointing, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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