Integrity

Integrity is a skill that can be learnt and developed over time.

Integrity requires constant maintenance, it can develop wings and fly away if you don’t developed it.

How do we maintain it?

  1. Daily self assessment
  2. Fellowshipping with the brethren
  3.  Keeping godly associations – 1st Corinthians 15:33

True integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching.

Integrity is very delicate, it can be lost or compromised .

Get ready for a change

Change has been defined as an act or process through which something or someone becomes different. It means to alter, vary modify or improve something. Change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

According to George Bernard Shaw, ‘progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything’. Change is directly related to effectiveness because we live in an ever -changing world where people, businesses, technology and systems are constantly changing.

Families, communities even friends experience changes.

  • Salvation is change
  • Sanctification is change
  • Obedience is change
  • Forgiveness is change
  • Mercy is change
  • Marriage is change
  • Parenting is change
  • Losing a job is change
  • Starting a new business is change
  • Moving to a new home is change

It has been said that ‘although there is no progress without change, not all change is progress. (John Wooden). The real change takes place in the mind. The bible says  ‘as he thinks in his heart, so is he’ (Proverbs 23:7).

God is interested in constructive and progressive changes in the lives of His children, so He sends His word to challenge and inform us (Psalms 107:20). That is the reason He calls people to come out of their homes, nations, and follow Him to a land that He will show them. From Abraham to Joseph, Moses to David, even our Lord Jesus Christ, they all experienced changes in their lives.

Saul had to change to Paul the Apostle after his encounter with the Lord.

Do you see God in your changed situation or do you blame Him?

Autumn is changing to winter now, do we appreciate the fact that the elements are doing their assignments to enrich the earth. The world is made up of changes in various stages, the bible calls it times and seasons. Those who resist or obstruct changes can not go far in life!

What would you change about your life now for you to have significant progress?

OBEDIENCE TO THE VOICE OF GOD AND THE SERVICE OF GOD

TEXTS: John 2:5, Deuteronomy 28: 1-14, Chronicles 9:1-5, Romans 12: 1- 3, Joshua 3:5, 1ST Kings 13: 11-25, 1st Kings 19: 19-21.

Lesson Outlines

  • Obedience to the voice of God
  • The modern-day Christian and the spirit of Obedience
  • Consecrating our lives to the service of God
  • Case study: old prophet versus young prophet Elisah/ Elijah – 1st Kings 19:19-21

OBEDIENCE TO THE VOICE OF GOD

Obedience starts from the heart. Obedience to the voice of God in simple terms means hearing the word of God and acting on it. It implies aligning our will to God’s will; doing what God has asked us to do. It is when we completely surrender to His authority and base our decisions and our actions on His Word. To hear and obey the voice of God means that our lives must be built on a relationship with Him. We must be close enough to hear, and in love enough with Him to follow Him above all others. Jesus made this very impacting statement, one we would all do well to seriously heed: “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). All of Christianity evolves around this. It is about a daily, living relationship with God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. The fact that Jesus is alive today is demonstrated by our hearing His voice to us. Jesus declared that “His sheep hear His voice” and because of that voice they know Him and follow Him (John 10:3-4, 27). Adam and Eve were accustomed to hearing the voice of God (Genesis 3:8-10). It was not until they de2cided by their actions to disobey God’s voice that things changed for the worse for them. Deterioration always sets in when we stop obeying the voice of God. Genesis 22: 1-18, Abraham so obeyed the voice of the Lord that, not only was he blessed, but his descendants also. The blessings of God can be imparted to others through our obedience. Moses had lived in the desert wilderness for 40 years. Then he experienced the voice of God through a burning bush that was to change his life forever, and the lives of the nation of 8Israel who had been bound up as slaves in the slime pits of Egypt (Exodus 3). Life changes for the better when we hear the voice of God with a commitment to doing whatever He asks us. Samuel’s life and ministry became a powerful force for good as he lived in obedience to the voice of God. The testimony the people had of him was, “All that he says surely comes to pass” (1 Samuel 9:6). You must know God’s voice to have a testimony like that.

The key to life and leadership for a Christian is in obeying the voice of the Lord. There is no substitute for this. Yet, we see Christians trying to fulfil their obligations to God by every other way than developing that relationship between the voice of God and them. When the fear of the people comes before the fear of God, we can guarantee we are going to lose out on God’s best for us. There is no way that we can be obedient to God and, at the same time, be living to please others; when we live to please God, we will find much favour. God must come first not the people. Saul had it the wrong way round (1 Samuel 15:24). His fear of the people prevented him from pleasing God to the full. Therefore, God rejected him by overthrowing his kingdom. Disobedience to the voice of God is very costly for Christians. Consider how samson ended his life through lack of Obedience (Judges 16).

DISCUSSION

  • How can we recognize and know it’s God’s voice??
  • How can I know if I am hearing God, hearing Satan, or hearing my own thoughts?

THE MODERN-DAY CHRISTIAN AND THE SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE

No one questions the emphasis on obedience in the Old Testament. Its teaching on the matter can be summarized: “Obey and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will be cursed” (Deut. 11:26–28). Although sacrifices were important to the Israelites, the prophets continually reminded the people that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22). Obedience is not just an Old Covenant concept. It is an essential element of the New Covenant as well. God’s love for His people is steadfast regardless of their ability to keep His commands. However, God’s love, grace, and forgiveness do not excuse His children from obeying His Word. Jesus asked this question in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call2 me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” He addressed this question to people who openly professed Him as Lord but did not yield to His Lordship. It takes obedience to become obedient. obedience is the indispensable condition of the Spirit’s indwelling. The bible states If ye love me, keep my commandments and the Father will send you the Spirit.  we cannot live an obedient Christian life in our own strength. We must live by faith in God’s promises in the Bible. By faith, we trust the Holy Spirit to enable us to obey what God wants for our lives. By faith, we learn to obey Christ and experience a life of freedom and joy. If you desire to be an obedient person and live the Christian life, then work on your faith, and focus on the Lord. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans10:17). So, focus on Christ, know Christ, delight in Christ, meditate on Christ, get the whole Christ before you. Faith will rise because grace would be coming through it, and then obedience flows out from it.

Ezek.36.26 – 27 says “And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart and I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. This scripture explains that when the Holy Ghost manifest in your life it comes with the spirit of obedience. Obedience is not easy but with the help of the Holy Ghost it becomes a part of you. Every time we pass the obedience test, we change class and have a change of name. When the spirit of obedience enters you, you become bendable. It enables you obey His voice and ultimately enjoy the blessing (Eph. 2:1-3). This voice of God when acted upon in obedience releases the supernatural of God in and through our lives. The call to obedience is for our benefit. He knows what is best for us and how to grow us to be stronger people and followers of Christ. Obeying God should not be a burden but rather a joy, a way of worshipping him and growing in your faith. Ultimately, we will feel most satisfied when we are in right relationship to God which can only come through obedience.

 Benefits of the spirit of obedience

  • You enjoy divine presence (John 8:29, Gen 26)
  • You gain access to hidden covenant (Gen 22:18) 2
  • It creates platform for friendship with God (2 Chron 20:7)
  • You obtain key to dominion (2 Corinthians 10:4 James 4:7 John 5:30)
  • It enables you to obey God absolutely (Exodus 25:40)

DISCUSSION

  • Why do I need the spirit of obedience?
  • What’s the connection between obedience and faith?
  • Can we try obedience without faith?
  • Can we have faith and not spirit of obedience?

CONSECRATING OUR LIVES TO THE SERVICE OF GOD

The utensils used in temple worship were considered “consecrated.” In other words, they were set apart for the exclusive use of God. They were devoted to His service. Consecration is a process or practice of making something or someone sacred, dedicated and set apart for the Lord. It also means the devoting or setting apart of anything or anyone to the worship or service of God (Exodus 28:41).  God is calling us to live a consecrated life unto Him as a peculiar person and a royal priesthood and He is waiting to see us exhibiting the life of consecr8ation unto Him. To be consecrated for God’s service a person must first know Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Saviour. The call to personal consecration demands that one presents himself wholly to God (Lev 11:44; Romans 12:1), be willing to purge himself of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Timothy 2:21). This is made possible through absolute compliance to divine instructions given by God in his Word (Ephesians 5:26). It is God Himself who chose and called us to consecrated service; and it’s a privilege to serve God. We deserve nothing but death, but how great is the grace of God, He saved us and changed us through His grace. Jesus said: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (Jn.15: 16). This verse means that we serve God because He called us to be His own and called us to the consecration of ourselves to Him.” This tells us that consecration is “unto the Lord,” and that it must be voluntary. God does not compel us to consecrate our lives to Him; instead, He says, “I beseech you.” God wants us to give our lives to Him, not because we must but because we love Him and want to serve Him. Attending church services, serving on a council, providing for a charitable cause (being religious) is not sufficient if we are not doing it out of obedience and dedication to God (1 Sam2uel 15:22). Our reasonable service means to worship the Lord, witness for him, follow the Holy Spirit wherever he leads, and do the work set before us. That is the charge. Be not conformed, but be transformed, live as a new person, render ourselves to God by all that we are, all that we have, and all that we can do. consecration is the offering up of a whole life to God. We cannot give God part of our lives and keep part of it for ourselves. This would not satisfy God, and it would not satisfy us either. All the joy and blessing in the Christian life depend upon our holding back nothing from God. Let’s remember Samson’s consecration was broken by his disobedience and lust for strange women (Judges 14:1-3, 8, 9). There are benefits of consecrating ourselves to the service of God.

  • Overflowing blessings (Exodus 32:29).
  • Overflowing anointing (Acts 5:12).
  • Becoming a chosen vessel of God (2 Timothy 2:21). 
  • Ever abiding presence of God (psalm 91:1; Matthew).
  • Outstanding victory without a fight (2 chronicles 20:15-19).

DISCUSSION

  • Are all Christians consecrated?
  • Is consecration the same as sanctification?
  • Why should we consecrate and devote our whole life to God”?

CASE STUDY: OLD PROPHET VERSUS YOUNG PROPHET

The story is obviously about the importance of undeviating obedience to God and the protection this affords in our experience. A message comes through someone who is supposedly holy, a prophet with an “angel message” from God. Many so-called “prophets” today claim to bring messages from God. Tragically, many are in awe of them and tend to believe what they say which leads to ridiculous and even disastrous consequences. This is not the prophet’s fault but the recipient of the message who “lacked faith,” (1 Kings 22:22) and tests whether we believe the Scriptures to be sufficient and final or not (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). God immediately pronounced judgment against the young prophet because the man of God had disobeyed the full counsel of God, he would not be buried in the tomb of his father; this meant that he would meet a violent death along the way home (23-24).  Many would argue that his disobedience was in such a tiny matter, after all had he not confronted Jeroboam, had he not obeyed 99% of what God had told him?   Yet God judged him sternly.  When God speaks, the matter is settled. There is never an excuse for disobeying God’s Word. Even a fellow believer, even an angel descending from heaven cannot nullify God’s Word. Paul declared that even an angel from heaven was not to be believed above the apostolic gospel word (Galatians 1:8,9).

Notice that the young prophet keeps faithfully what many would consider the important aspect of the command and yet he is judged for not keeping the entire command.  We cannot divide a command into major and minor issues.  Do not let anyone convince you that if you have warm feelings for God and generally do what is right that you can ignore the commands of God.  Even though the old prophet had lied to him, God still held this man accountable for believing a lie that contradicted His truth.  Also note that God did not strike Jeroboam or the old prophet, rather He immediately punished the man who had previously been faithful.  We can see that we must take moral responsibility for our own actions regardless of how mesmerically misleading the temptation may be. Christ Jesus warned the disciples: “Take heed lest any man deceive you: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Mark 13:5-6). The story could also be said to be teaching a lesson about the radical nature of spiritual obedience. The human mind generally desires spirituality to conform to the qualities of human conventions. Spiritual obedience isn’t designed to “fit in” with the conventionality of material life.

DISCUSSION

  • Discuss more lessons from the story of the two Prophets?

CONCLUSION

Remember, any command that God gives is important, or He would not have given it. Disobedience to any command of God, to any detail in any command, is a sin.  There is nothing static, restrictive, about being obedient. It is pure freedom and fulfilment. Total obedience provides protection, healing, capacity to help others and we walk in divine reality. Elijah and Elisha are strong role models in devotion, faith, prayer, and unwavering obedience in the face of corrupt power and persecution. They show us all how to stand for God, even when we feel like we may be the last voice for Him (1Kings 19:19-21).

FORMING EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIP AND SUSTAINING THEM; A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON A LIFE OF INTEGRITY.
-A CASE STUDY OF DANIEL

August Bible Study

Texts: Matthew 22: 36-40, Daniel 1: 3-7, Luke 10: 25-37,

Lesson Outlines

  • Effective Relationship among Christians
  • Sustaining An effective Relationship
  • Christian perspective on a life of integrity
  • Daniel as case study

EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIP AMONG CHRISTIANS

An effective relationship requires trust, respect, self-awareness, integrity, and open communication. As Christians our first form of relationship is knowing Christ and having eternal life. Good relationships make life enjoyable perhaps more than anything else. Even if your circumstances aren’t the best, if you have loving relationships, you can enjoy life. You can make a pile of money, but if your relationships are broken or shallow, your life will be empty. A poor man with a loving family and good friends is far richer than a ric8h man who is poor relationally.

The Bible ranks effective relationships as the most important thing in life. A Jewish religious expert asked Jesus in Matthew 22: 36, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend on the whole Law and the Prophets.”

A loving relationship with God is of first importance; but loving relationships with others is second. The Bible is all about these two important relationships. The Bible emphasizes healthy relationships so highly, it’s sad that there are so many believers who have hurting or broken relationships. Many Christian homes have been shattered by divorce. Some who stay married are unhappy. Their homes are a tense battle ground, not a loving refuge. Many Christian parents are at odds with their kids and the kids with their parents. On the church level, some bounce from church to church, leaving a trail of damaged relationships behind. I know of Christians who won’t speak to other Christians because of misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and wrongs that have taken place. Sadly, the loving families, genuine friendships, and healthy relationships that we want most out of life often elude us.

DISCUSSION

  • How do we form effective relationship as Christians?
  • Are some Christians so incompatible that they can never have a satisfying relationship? Should they be avoided?
  • Is it ever right to distance yourself from a person who has offended you, rather than trying to work things out? If so, when?

SUSTAINING AN EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIP

Sometimes sustaining an effective relationship isn’t easy medicine to take, because to do these, we’ve got to kill all immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (Col. 3:5). we’ve got to put aside all anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, and lying (Col. 3: 8-9) and we’ve got to put on “a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and integrity; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other” (Col. 3: 12b -13). The reason you should do this is because God has graciously chosen and loved you. Relationship can also be sustained using The Jesus method; (he served and ate with people. He didn’t consider Himself better than anyone John 13: 4-5). The following are some ways of sustaining an effective relationship among us as Christians.

Don’t just go to church, Get involved: There is virtually no way to have a meaningful relationship, let alone get the personal nourishment you need, by simply attending the church. It’s just not God’s design (Acts 2:42-47).  Friendly greetings, brief conversations, and just your presence alongside others have value, but meaningful relationships develop as you get involved in multiple aspects of church life. That might include joining a small group, serving within the church building, or even just going to or hosting social gatherings. 

Maintain a loving attitude: Attitude is the combination of heart and mind. It involves both knowledge and feelings, and it’s revealed in the ways we act and speak. As you combine what you know about God’s Word and about a person, your attitude towards them should be Spirit-controlled and full of the kinds of love described in Galatians 5:16,22-26.

Pursue loving actions: Anything you are doing with or for a person within your church body should be characterized by love. But first, you must do something. Just your presence and effort to come to something shows care and love. As you’re a part of events, service opportunities, classes, Bible studies, and/or groups in your church, you’re acting in love. As you get together with people from your church outside of the church building for meals, playdates, exercise, sporting events, home improvement projects, and whatever else you might be into or need, you are pursuing loving actions. The emphasis is both on love and action. They’re nearly inseparable.

Speak loving words: Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21). So, if you want to preserve and strengthen your relationship with others, speak loving words. Again, this doesn’t mean that every word that you speak will be pleasant to hear, but our words should be characterized by a loving attitude, purpose, and sincere tone. This will most certainly include words of affirmation, encouragement, and building up (Eph. 4:29).  But it will also include words of correction and rebuke. Our words should evidence our love for the ones to whom we speak and the love of the One who is our guide and purpose in all things.

DISCUSSION

  • How important do you think it is to manage emotions in relationships?
  • How do emotions relate to building an effective relationship?

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON A LIFE OF INTEGRITY

One of the effective ways in sustaining a good Relationship lies on our integrity. This study will broadly explain a Christian perspective to a living a life of integrity. 

The word integrity is related to the mathematical term integer. An integer is a whole number. Integrity means our character is whole, not split into fractions. Integrity has been defined as being honest, having strong moral principles and non-compromise of godly principles. It has also been mentioned that integrity is the distance between your lips and your life. It is keeping to an honorable life and refusing to deceive those around you. Unfortunately, integrity is disappearing fast in our generation, men of honour are scarce. Deception is rife, and those who are easily deceived abound. Jesus said “Take heed to yourselves, that no man deceives you, for many shall come in my name and say I am Christ. In order words, it takes a thief to follow a thief.  Children recognise their parents. If you lack integrity, you will follow a deceiver. Integrity protects from harm; it saves time wasting and helps to secure us from the enemy who tries to polarize us. The question we need to ask ourselves is How can we develop integrity? When we Practice openness, truth, and non-compromise of fairness. Let your yes be yes and No be No.  The Yorubas will say “Bi iro ba lo ni ogun odun, ojo kan soso ni otito yi o ba”. It means a lie will not last forever, truth will always catch up with it. Don’t join them to persecute anyone over a matter that you didn’t witness and follow not a crowd to be a false witness. Honour friendship above money; money may finish, people will remain. Above all, remember that we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ.

How to checklist:

If we’re doing these things, we’re more likely to have integrity than when we’re not.

  • Be honest with God, self, others; be sincere (Eph. 4:25).
  • Have courage to live your beliefs in the face of opposition (2 Tim. 3:16).
  • Make actions consistent with knowledge of right, and wrong (1Tim.1:19).
  • Be an example; live the basic principles of the gospel (2Thess. 2: 4-5).

DANIEL A PORTRAIT OF INTEGRITY

It’s been said that “Integrity is what a person is in the dark.” That is, they are the same whether they are in public or in private. But a person of integrity not only passes the privacy test; they will pass the peer test, as well. As we see with the example of Daniel. Daniel’s life is an example of how we can live a life of integrity in a culture that is trying to squeeze us into its Mold. These actions are not commanded; they are commended. Our task is to take the principles that Daniel lived and apply them to our own modern experiences.  The way we think about God, ourselves, others, and the world determines how we live. If Nebuchadnezzar could get these young men to think like Babylonians, they would begin to live like Babylonians. The reverse was also true: The less they thought of themselves as the Lord’s people and as His servants, the less they would live like one of them. The basic principle from the life of Daniel is as follows.

  • Know what you believe.
  • Trust what you believe.
  • Live what you believe.

DISCUSSION

  • Do we need to attend church to have a relationship with God and others.
  • Why do our actions so often contradict what we say we believe?
  • What is the difference between integrity and character?

CONCLUSION

I know, my God, you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.” – 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV). This verse says God is happy when we live a life of integrity. That God smiles when we choose to do the right thing, based on the right beliefs, at the right time. Well, certainly the actions of Daniel in our passage for today, must have made God smile.

Spiritual Warfare

July Bible Study

Texts: Ephesians 6: 11-17, 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5, Psalms 137

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

Spiritual warfare is the Christian concept of fighting against the work of supernatural evil forces. spiritual warfare is the battle for control over people’s souls. We as Christians step onto this battlefield the moment we come to faith. Spiritual warfare, unlike wars on the earth, occurs in an invisible world, although we can’t see it, it is very real. In this spiritual war, we have a personal enemy. Satan is not a metaphor. He is living, roaming, and searching for opportunities to cause you and me to fall. War is tiring, messy, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. But we have good news as we fight, on the cross Jesus disarmed Satan (Colossians 2:15), meaning believers don’t fight for victory; rather we fight from a victory that has been already won. In the many battles in the Old Testament, Israel was promised success against their enemy before they ever stepped foot on the battlefield. Yet, they still had to fight. In the same way, in Christ we are assured of our victory, yet we must stand on the battlefield ready and willing to face spiritual warfare. The battles of spiritual warfare are intense when a person decides to accept Jesus as their Savior. The enemy will attack from all angles, hoping to dissuade the person from fully giving their heart to Jesus. He will use circumstances, events, people, things and even doubt in their minds to steal their heart back to his ways. The seeds that are sown in people’s hearts will either take root on good soil, which is a heart fully surrendered to the Lord. Or they will be sown in places where the word is snatched away from them until they fall away.

FORCES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

The Bible teaches that three forces are battling with God for ownership of your heart: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Thankfully, God is stronger than all of them. If you have chosen to begin a personal relationship with God, then you know that you have asked Him to be in control of your life but there is a part of you that wants to take back control and continues to put up an internal fight. You might even feel like there is a battle going on inside your mind some of the time. Do you have days when you struggle to believe what the Bible says about God, or about you? These types of battles are fought in the world but involve the spiritual forces of darkness that exist in the invisible realm around us. Once we are made aware of the world’s influences and how they contrast with God’s ways, we must then learn how to operate in the world as a true follower of Christ. It is one thing to be naive to the world’s deceptions, claiming innocence by ignorance, but once the truth is revealed, we have a responsibility to obey the Lord’s directions for us. At this point, we must ask ourselves a few questions like “Is Christianity about fighting and suffering or about love and joy? Isn’t the Christian life about peace? Didn’t Jesus do it all so I would not have to? The Christian life is not passive. Jesus told us in Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Christians are not living the abundant life of love, joy, and peace because they are unaware of how to maintain and claim those promises. Jesus promised us an abundant life that starts here on earth. Until we understand the forces that are against us and are prepared to fight for what is rightfully ours, we will not be able to receive all that God has for us. Jesus Christ came to earth in the flesh. He lived a life of much suffering as He denied the desires of His flesh and the temptations of the enemy. Our flesh will suffer just like Jesus, but we can be victorious just like Jesus. The victory may not look the same as defined by the world, but nothing compares to a life that is victorious in the ways of God. 

DISCUSSION:

  • Does spiritual warfare still happen today?
  • How do I know if I’m experiencing spiritual warfare or a figment of my imagination?
  • Are angels and demons real?

HOW TO PREPARE FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

How can I fight spiritual warfare? As Christians, we can fight spiritual warfare only through the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit of God. If we pursue a righteous lifestyle, led by the Holy Spirit, He will instruct us not only how to fight, but also how to correctly fight. The Holy Spirit will instruct us on how to use the armour of God that Paul describes in Ephesians chapter 6, and He will teach us how to effectively use the gift of prayer. the Lord Jesus demonstrated proper use of the Word. When Satan came to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4 and Luke 4), Satan misused the Word in some of what he said to Jesus. But Jesus utilized the Word properly and sent the enemy packing.

WEAPONS FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

The term ‘spiritual battle’ declares that we must need some spiritual weapons, and that we are led by the Holy Spirit. We must remain in contact with and surrender to the Holy Spirit. This connection is best made through intentional prayer. When the battle is long, we may feel weary, we may be tempted to give up, but these are the moments when we must remember that we don’t fight in our own strength. The weapons we fight with are not carnal weapons, and we don’t dare fight in our own strength. Our weapons are spiritual weapons, they are mighty through God, in His strength, not ours. And as we learn to tap into the strength of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to do what we otherwise couldn’t do, we will begin to see victory in our lives.

  • The Word of God “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 24:35.
  • Prayer using the name of Jesus “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,” Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 2:9-11
  • Worship – “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.  2 Chronicles 20: 21 -22
  • Fasting “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6
  • Proclamation – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11
  • Thanksgiving“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6-7, Psalms 11:25

DISCUSSION:

  • The Armour of God according to Ephesians 6
  • Any other weapon for spiritual warfare

HOW CAN WE WIN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AS CHRISTIANS

  • Living a Righteous life
  • Obedience to Christ
  • Fellowship with Brethren
  • Find a pastor, Christian counsellor, or trusted fellow believer.

Some people will blame every problem on Satan and his demons, while others ignore the spiritual realm altogether. Both are dangerous. Blaming everything on spiritual attack stops us from taking responsibility for our sin while refusing to believe in the possibility of spiritual attack leaves us vulnerable to Satan’s schemes. The best way to approach spiritual warfare is to find a balance between owning our mistakes and staying aware of the temptations around us.

Job is a perfect example of a spiritual conflict that was manifested in the physical form. Job was a real human being living here on earth, but the Bible gives us a clear look at what was happening concerning Job’s life in the spiritual realm. God looked upon Job as a righteous man but, because Satan wanted to prove God wrong, Job became the victim of Satan’s attacks. Job’s family, finances and home were destroyed, and his health and friends turned against him. Job experienced very real physical and circumstantial conflicts because of the conflict in the spiritual realm. Job also became the victor because of his faithfulness to God in words and actions throughout the trial. His victory was spiritual, physical, and material on earth as it is in heaven.

DISCUSSION:

  • Others winning strategies as Christians.
RCCG Sunrise Magazine

The Sunrise Magazine is the magazine of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Follow this link to access all issues of the magazine. The magazine captures the vision and mission of RCCG, articles from men and women of God across the ministry, and church general announcements. Some of the articles provide insights into how to raise children in the contemporary world, advice to young people and singles as well as Christian history education.

ANGER ISSUES IN THE CHURCH: A CASE STUDY ON SAMSON

When a person becomes a Christian, his conduct and personality
should undergo certain changes. One of these changes has to do with
emotions i.e. temper. A Christian should react in a Christian way. He
should not lose his temper. Handling anger properly is a critical life
skill for Christians. Anger can cripple communication between two
people and rip apart families and relationships in churches. God’s
Word not only teaches how to deal with anger but also how to
overcome sinful anger.

Read more from https://rccgkog.org/anger-in-the-church-a-case-study-on-samson/

A LITTLE THOUGHT ON REPENTANCE

Repentance is the activity of reviewing one’s actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by a commitment to change for the better. Other words to describe repentance are Sorrow, regret, pricked conscience, and remorse. Repentance means to ‘clean up your act’. It may also stand for repair, reconciliation, and restitution. It is the admission of faults, acknowledgment of wrongdoing, and taking proper precautions or seeking help to ensure that similar situations don’t arise. Salvation is a gift of God, but it came at a price. Does repentance lead to salvation or will salvation give repentance? It is assumed that man can repent by his own strength but the moral evidence and the constant struggle and failure to attain a godly life in our world today is pointing to the fact that repentance like grace and faith is a gift of God to our heart which has the great capacity to stray after evil. (Ephesians 2:8) For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God.

Read more from https://rccgkog.org/files/2022/12/KOG-Newsletter-Issue-6.pdf

CASTING AWAY UNBELIEF AND DOUBT

Unbelief is like doubt yet different doubts come from ignorance and lack of intimacy with someone or an idea. When we doubt God, it points to our lack of knowledge of His promises, a false idea about His personality power and ability. It results from the build-up of strongholds in our minds formed by experience, thoughts conceptions and environment. Unbelief, however, is when you know and acknowledge that there is a God, who is powerful, yet you don’t believe His word. (Psalms 78: 21-22). ‘Therefore, when the lord heard, he was full of wrath a fire was kindled against Jacob, His anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and did not trust his saving power’. Unbelief is a direct whisper from the devil to the mind of a person. A negative opinion formed about God is usually deposited in our minds by Satan.

Read more from https://rccgkog.org/files/2022/12/KOG-Newsletter-Issue-8-1-1.pdf

A NEW NORMAL – OUR LIVES AFTER THE LOCKDOWN

Jesus said, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden”. It is true and worthy of acceptance that 2020 has been a very difficult year, we will not forget the numerous events that took place in a while.

We grieve for the souls that were lost, the families that are bereaved, job losses, uncertainties and stormy circumstances. Despite all of these, I dare to say that we now have a new normal, a season where the resilience of the human spirit shines forth, we refuse to be tied down and so we move on in the strength of God.

Pslams 5:12 says “You oh lord will bless the righteous and with favour you will encompass him as with a shield”

God also promised in Psalms 126:1 that when he turned again the captivity of Zion, it was like a dream. We may wonder how we shall recover from the economic downturn, job losses and any other kind of losses but the word for this season is favour.

Psalms 102:13 “You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favour to her; the appointed time has come”

When there was lack and hunger among the followers of Jesus and it looked as if they will perish for lack of bread, a little boy appeared with just a few pieces of food and after divine blessings the little food fed an army of people.

Together and with God’s help, we shall overcome and in due season, our victory shall shine forth.

Remain in grace.

Read more from “The Lifesaver, Issue 9 (pdf, 1.52 MB)“.