Our protection, our defense.

So, how do we react when we are shown our soul-self?  Is there instant remorse? Instant pain that we are so self-centered?  That's what we are. When our tempers flare, and our aggravation is ignited it is our self-centeredness that fuels those emotions. We are thinking of SELF and how we don't want to be inconvenienced in any way at all. We don't want to be inconvenienced when we are clearly busy doing our own thing (selfish thing or selfless) we just don't want to be bothered because we are busy. We want consideration for ourselves. We want others to comprehend that we do not want to be bothered, why? Because we are SO concerned with our OWN need, our OWN desire, our OWN situation, our OWN work, our OWN life.

We have to comprehend that we are truly in war unlike any other war! Why were we given armor if we don't need armor? Seriously? Why?

When a person puts on ANY sort of armor they are expecting that there may be a necessity for that armor. Very few will don armor without believing there is a need for it. Of course nowadays people will put it on in play form for gaming. But real armor for real battle, people do not wear it without a reason. Law enforcement of all kinds will put on bulletproof vests before going into danger. Firefighters will put on a lot of protective gear when they go out on a call. Our armed forces have armor they wear when they are going into wars.  We are given armor and yet how often are we aware of that armor and the NEED for that armor?

In this war we are in great need… let's read the familiar verses-

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

Eph 6:20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

*******

We fight against the devil.

We fight against things that aren’t of flesh and blood.

We fight against principalities.

We fight against powers.

We fight against rulers of darkness.

We fight against spiritual wickedness.

When was the last time you saw the devil? Can you see the power you are to wrestle against? What rulers of darkness are you familiar with? Where have you had contact with spiritual wickedness? 

All those things- the devil, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness are to be FOUGHT against. We have a helmet, our loins covered, a breastplate, footwear, a shield, and a sword.  Our body is all protected, and we have a weapon. Protection and a weapon of warfare.

TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION - These ALL protect us!

SPIRIT of the WORD of GOD- This is our defense.

Now, what is the practical application of all the above…. More tomorrow on that by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Now and forever!

Amen!

Comprehending the differences between our soul-self and spirit-self.

When you are exposed to truth and it sticks to you, it will follow you throughout your day. Learning something new is supposed to affect us, isn't it? When you learn truth it changes you. Maybe the changes are small, and not discernible to all around you. The changes could be private and yet you know they are there. 

Studying from the Bible and reading 'The Spiritual Man' has exposed a deeper truth on things that were only superficial to me before. We've been talking about realizing the difference between the soul-self and the spiritual-self. We've been discussing comprehending these two forces at work in us. So how do we comprehend? We ask God to allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes.  We will be shown.  As we react to everyday situations, situations that are common to us we may be allowed to suddenly realize which force is at work in that situation.  When we are allowed to realize which force is working more often than not we'll see that it is the soul-self rising up in us.  The over emotional responses we are prone to - anger, sadness, impatience, pettiness, vindictiveness, snideness, flippancy, I could go on and on but you know yourselves what emotions, what things you are prone to in any given situation.  If I give you a scenario you will know how you will react - for the most part. Sometimes we react differently, but that's the exception to the rule. We are allowed to see, to understand and our reaction to what we are allowed to comprehend should be…what?

Reread the following from yesterday-

The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee

'The Holy Spirit alone can teach us what is soul life and what is spirit life. Only after we learn how to differentiate experientially these two kinds of life and come to apprehend their respective values, are we delivered from a shallow, loose, sensational walk into that which is deep, firm and spiritual. Only then do we come into rest. The soul life can never furnish us rest. But please note that this must be known in experience; simply understanding in the mind will merely make us more soulish. We need to pay special attention to this piercing and dividing. The Word of God plunges into the soul as well as into the spirit in order to effect the division of these two. The Lord Jesus in His crucifixion had His hands and feet and side pierced. Are we willing to let the cross work in our soul and spirit?

 The cleaving of soul and spirit means not only their separation but also a cracking open of the soul itself. Since the spirit is enveloped in the soul, it cannot be reached by the Word of life save through a cracked shell.

The Word of the cross plunges in and splits open a way into and through the soul so that God’s life can reach the spirit within and liberate it from the bondage of its soulish shell. Having received the mark of the cross, the soul now can assume its proper position of subjection to the spirit. But if the soul fails to become a “thoroughfare” to the spirit, then the former surely will become the latter’s chain. These two never agree on any matter. Before the spirit achieves its rightful place of pre-eminence it is challenged persistently by the soul.

While the spirit is striving to gain freedom and mastery the strong soul power exerts its utmost strength to suppress the spirit. Only after the cross has done its work on the soulish life is the spirit liberated. If we remain ignorant of the damage this discord between the spirit and soul can bring or remain unwilling to forsake the pleasure of a sensuous walk, we shall make hardly any spiritual progress.'

Biblical references-

Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God So Loved the World

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God GAVE His only begotten Son.

Joh 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Jesus DIED for us.

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 

We bear a CROSS.   We've talked about this before and it's truth.

We are the cross we bear.

Mat_16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Deny ourselves and take up the cross. It is only through the cross we can truly deny ourselves.  We can't take up our cross without denying ourselves,  they go hand in hand.

*******

More tomorrow by the grace of God, please Lord, please help us to comprehend YOUR truth and choose to LIVE in Your truth!

In Jesus Christ our Lord's name now and forever.

Amen.

A Shallow Walk or A Deep Spiritual Walk-

Excerpt-

'The Holy Spirit alone can teach us what is soul life and what is spirit life. Only after we learn how to differentiate experientially these two kinds of life and come to apprehend their respective values, are we delivered from a shallow, loose, sensational walk into that which is deep, firm and spiritual. Only then do we come into rest. The soul life can never furnish us rest. But please note that this must be known in experience; simply understanding in the mind will merely make us more soulish. We need to pay special attention to this piercing and dividing. The Word of God plunges into the soul as well as into the spirit in order to effect the division of these two. The Lord Jesus in His crucifixion had His hands and feet and side pierced. Are we willing to let the cross work in our soul and spirit?

 The cleaving of soul and spirit means not only their separation but also a cracking open of the soul itself. Since the spirit is enveloped in the soul, it cannot be reached by the Word of life save through a cracked shell.

The Word of the cross plunges in and splits open a way into and through the soul so that God’s life can reach the spirit within and liberate it from the bondage of its soulish shell. Having received the mark of the cross, the soul now can assume its proper position of subjection to the spirit. But if the soul fails to become a “thoroughfare” to the spirit, then the former surely will become the latter’s chain. These two never agree on any matter. Before the spirit achieves its rightful place of pre-eminence it is challenged persistently by the soul.

While the spirit is striving to gain freedom and mastery the strong soul power exerts its utmost strength to suppress the spirit. Only after the cross has done its work on the soulish life is the spirit liberated. If we remain ignorant of the damage this discord between the spirit and soul can bring or remain unwilling to forsake the pleasure of a sensuous walk, we shall make hardly any spiritual progress.'   The Spiritual Man

Biblical references-

Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God So Loved the World

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God GAVE His only begotten Son.

Joh 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Jesus DIED for us.

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 

We bear a CROSS.   We've talked about this before and it's truth.

We are the cross we bear.

Mat_16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Deny ourselves and take up the cross. It is only through the cross we can truly deny ourselves.  We can't take up our cross without denying ourselves,  they go hand in hand.

More tomorrow by the GRACE of God all through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!

Bearing fruit of discernment.

 1Jn_2:14 … and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

The Word of God lives in us, and we overcome Satan.  If the word of God does not live in us then we do not overcome Satan.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

We are born again of incorruptible seed- Jesus Christ, the Word of God.

1Th_2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The Word of God WORKS in those of us that believe! It works and it is effective.

Eph_6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

We must TAKE the sword of the Spirit- we must TAKE the Word of God!

Rom_10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Our faith comes by the WORD of God!

Luk_11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

We must KEEP the word of God which gives us faith.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The word of God is ALIVE, is POWERFUL, is SHARP. The word of God will divide the soul and spirit. The word of God discerns our thoughts.

The word of God discerns the intents of the heart.

Excerpt-

'… the Holy Spirit instructs us therein how to divide spirit and soul experientially. The dividing of these two is not a mere doctrine; it is pre-eminently a life, a must in the believer’s walk. Just what is its essential meaning? It means, first of all, that by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit God enables the Christian to differentiate in experience the operations and expressions of the spirit as distinct from those of the soul. Thus he may perceive what is of the spirit and what is of the soul. '

The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee

*******

The soul-self and spirit divided.

Being able to discern between the two in all we do.

The discernment once given to us is ours to make choices with. We don't want blindness, we want spiritual sight and when it's given to us if we choose to desire blindness afterwards it will be given to us. Many people are just like Jesus spoke in parable-

Mat 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 

Mat 13:20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

Mat 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

Hearing- understanding not and rather than seeking understanding allowing the word to be snatched away. Receiving, hearing and yet not rooting ourselves in the words - so when trouble comes because of our beliefs we are offended and turn from the word. Receiving, hearing but letting the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of money all makes the word unpalatable to us.

Only when we receive the WORD of God, hearing it, understanding it, and bearing fruit are we truly with God.

When we are given discernment we must bear the fruit of that discernment all by the grace of God. 

Daily we are given opportunities.

Daily we are racing, and along the race we are going to find many obstacles in our path, each temptation is an obstacle. Daily we are warring and in this very real spiritual war we are going to have to do battle. There are NO office jobs in this war. There are NO cushy positions of safety for anyone in this war. If you are in this war, if you are wielding the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, then you will have to use that sword! DAILY!  How did Jesus when confronted by Satan fight the battle? With the WORD of God! It's POWERFUL, it's ALIVE, we need to TRUST in it, and USE it!

Please LORD, please help us to seek the Spirit, to seek the Word of God always! 

The Word of God- A Sword.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

'Now given a condition like this in the believer, the teaching in Hebrews 4.12 takes on paramount significance. For the Holy Spirit instructs us therein how to divide spirit and soul experientially. The dividing of these two is not a mere doctrine; it is pre-eminently a life, a must in the believer’s walk. Just what is its essential meaning? It means, first of all, that by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit God enables the Christian to differentiate in experience the operations and expressions of the spirit as distinct from those of the soul. Thus he may perceive what is of the spirit and what is of the soul. '

The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee

*******

The WORD OF GOD- is POWERFUL, is SHARPER than ANY TWOEDGED SWORD.  The WORD of GOD can divide the SOUL and SPIRIT. The WORD of GOD  is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the HEART.

1Jn_2:14 … and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

1Th_2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Eph_6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Rom_10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Luk_11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

The Word of God is ALIVE in the SPIRIT and the word of God will reveal to us all that is of the spirit and all that is of the soul and in that revelation we need to listen and act upon what we are shown.

More on this tomorrow by the GRACE and WILL of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!

Now and forever…. Amen.

Jesus or You?

Zec_4:6  … Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of host

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

Gal_2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 

*******

'If soul life is not stripped away through death but is allowed to mingle with the spirit, believers shall continue in defeat. If our walk does not exclusively express God’s power it shall soon be vanquished by man’s wisdom and opinion. Our natural life is a formidable obstacle to spiritual life. Never satisfied with God alone, it invariably adds something extra to God. Hence it is never at peace. Before the self is touched God’s children live by very changeable stimulations and sensations. That is why they exhibit a wavy up-and-down existence. Because they allow their soulical energies to mix in with spiritual experiences their ways are often unstable. They accordingly are not qualified to lead others. Their unrelinquished soul power continually deflects them from letting the spirit be central. In the excitement of soulical emotion the spirit suffers great loss in freedom and sensation. Joy and sorrow may imperil the believer’s self-control and set self-consciousness on a rampage. The mind, if overly active, may affect and disturb the quietness of the spirit. To admire spiritual knowledge is good, but should it exceed spiritual bounds the result shall be merely letter, not spirit. This explains why many workers, though they preach the most excellent truth, are so cold and dead. Many saints who seek a spiritual walk share a common experience—one of groanings because their soul and spirit are not at one. The thought, will and emotion of their soul often rebel against the spirit, refuse to be directed by the spirit and resort to independent actions which contradict the spirit. The life in their spirit is bound to suffer in such a situation. Now given a condition like this in the believer, the teaching in Hebrews 4.12 takes on paramount significance. For the Holy Spirit instructs us therein how to divide spirit and soul experientially. The dividing of these two is not a mere doctrine; it is pre-eminently a life, a must in the believer’s walk.'

*******

The Bible tells us- meaning God tells us this--

2Co 5:15  … they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 

We are to live for Jesus NOT FOR OURSELVES. Can it be any plainer than this? Seriously, what do we need to comprehend that truth? We SHOULD NOT live to ourselves BUT to HIM which DIED FOR US and ROSE AGAIN.

And what does it mean to NOT live for ourselves? It means we are NOT living primarily in any self-serving manner. It means we are we are not choosing SELF over SPIRIT. Learning to put Jesus first is something we really need to do. Learning to put self behind Jesus in our life isn't something that comes automatically to us. If it were automatic we most certainly wouldn't need so many constant reminders of doing so. We wouldn't be told to pick up our cross daily if it were automatically upon us daily. We have to PICK it up! And in picking it up we are putting Christ before ourselves. We need this comprehension and I think Watchmen Nee is trying to reveal this to us - using God's word and understanding He's been given.

May we too be given the understanding we need to comprehend TRUTH and only TRUTH and then all we need to follow that truth.

In the war, running the race.

EXCERPT-

'This war between the soul and the spirit is waged secretly but interminably within God’s children. The soul seeks to retain its authority and move independently, while the spirit strives to possess and master everything for the maintenance of God’s authority. Before the spirit achieves its ascendancy the soul has tended to take the lead in all regards. Should a believer allow self to be the master while expecting the Holy Spirit to help and to bless him in his work, he undoubtedly will fail to produce spiritual fruit. Christians cannot anticipate a walk and work pleasing to God if they have not crushed their soul life by persistently denying its authority and unconditionally laying it in the dust. Except all power, impatience, and activity of the natural life are deliberately and one by one delivered to the cross and a ceaseless vigil is maintained, it will seize every chance to revive itself. The reason for so many defeats in the spiritual realm is because this sector of the soul has not been dealt with drastically.' The Spiritual Man-  Watchman Nee

*******

The spiritual war is waged SECRETLY…. Is this true?  For the most part it is true. The war with ourselves is not truly shared even when we tell another all about it. It is still US who need to choose to pick up the cross daily, no other can carry it for us. No other person makes the choices we need to make at a moments in our thoughts. No other can ask God to forgive us as we need to seek forgiveness.  Yes, our soul-self wants to be in charge - we THINK we know what's best. Giving ourselves to God is something we do daily in all we do.

Truly as soon as we believe a selfish trait in us defeated it will do all it can to sneak backup. It will "SEIZE every chance to revive itself". 

We don't want to be failures because we give into our selfishness. We must fight and fight endlessly, tirelessly, knowing this is a war, this is a race and we are in the war until Jesus returns and we are in the race until Jesus returns.  Daily warring, daily racing not giving in for a single day all by the GRACE of God!

1Ti_6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Heb_12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

Please, Lord, please we would fight the good fight of faith, we would lay aside every weight and run with patience the race. Please, Lord, please, help us.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now and forever.

Amen.