Latest / Accidental Bible Scholar / Spiritual Warfare, Part 6: Shoes of Peace, Shield of Faith and Helmet of Salvation
Transcript
- Jeff Ward: Hello and welcome back to the Accidental Bible Scholar Podcast. I'm Jeff Ward here with Randy Spear and we are excited that you're listening today. It's episode number forty, if my count is correct. And thanks for hanging in there. remember, our hope and prayer is that you become Randy: And we are excited that you're listening today. It's episode number forty, if my count is correct. And thanks for hanging in there. remember our hope and prayer is that you become Jeff Ward: closer and closer to Jesus Christ and knowing him. And that's where we find life, according to John seventeen three. That life starts now, not in the future. Randy: Closer and closer to Jesus Christ and knowing him. And that's where we find life according to John 17 3. That life starts now, not in the future. If you have any questions, our email is contact at accidental bible scholar dot com. You can find us all the links to the podcast, which are on all the major platforms, at w dot accidental bible scholar.com. Every Thursday we release an episode, and today we're gonna wrap up our study of. Jeff Ward: If you have any questions, our email is contact at accidental bible scholar dot com. You can find us all the links to the podcast, which are on all the major platforms at www.accidental bible scholar dot com. Every Thursday we release an episode and today we're gonna wrap up our study of Randy: Ephesians Jeff Ward: Ephesians and spiritual warfare. This should be the last podcast. Unless Randy gets verbose, then we might split it into two, which we've Randy: and spiritual warfare. This shouldn't be the last podcast. Yes. Unless Randy is verbose. We might split it into two. Which we've done before. Uh-huh. man, aside from that, Randy. But I've never been verbose. Never. Never gone long. Never. Alright. Let's see. You ready? Yes, sir. I think the audience is too. Okay. let me review that are listening. Both of them? Both of them. All right. So Jeff Ward: Done before, but man, aside from that, Randy, let's roll over both. Never. Never gone long. Never. I'm ready. You ready? Yes, sir. I think the audience is too. Okay. I'm the two people that are listening. Both of them? Both of them. Alright, so Randy: We talked about a lot up to this point, so we're gonna finish. But just some reminders. Second Corinthians ten five talks about Jeff Ward: We talked about a lot up to this point, so we're gonna finish. But just some reminders, second Corinthians ten five talks about Randy: we've read that three through five actually is where it talks about strongholds and it talks about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Philippians 4 8 is another pretty good one. And when Jeff Ward: we've read that three through five actually is where it talks about strongholds and it talks about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. Yeah. Philippians four eight is another pretty good one. Randy: you're talking about spiritual warfare and what we do with our mind, it it it basically has a bunch of excellent things that we are to focus on. And then Colossians three, two through three is probably one of my favorites. It says basically think about heavenly things. That's where you're that's where you are anyway. That's where that's the focus is on spiritual. Jeff Ward: talking about spiritual warfare and ha what we do with our mind it it it basically has a bunch of excellent things that we are to focus on and then Colossians three two through three is probably one of my favorites it says basically think about heavenly things that's where you're yeah that's where you are anyway that's what that's the focus is on spiritual and not on the physical or not just the physical things right yep and we talked about standing is basically standing on God's word Randy: spiritual not on the physical or not just the physical things, right? And we talked about standing is basically standing on God's word. Standing Jeff Ward: Standing can mean a couple of things and we spent a lot of time on that, but you know, when you're faced with God's word says this and your circumstances say that, which one do you go with? Which one is truth? Right. which which one is just simply maybe facts? And we talked about standing on God's word is is kinda the point Randy: can mean a couple of things and we spent a lot of time on that. But you know, when you're faced with God's word says this and your circumstances say that, which one do you go with? Which one is truth? which which one is just simply maybe facts. And we talked about standing on God's word is is kind of the point of Jeff Ward: of Randy: or standing in general, one of the aspects of standing on God's word is is part of the point, part of the focus here of spiritual warfare as it's as Paul talks about in Ephesians chapter chapter six. We talked about our makeup a little bit and I want to repeat that just a second. So we have our spirit, soul, and body. Jeff Ward: standing in general, one of the aspects of staying on God's word is is part of the point, part of the focus here of spiritual warfare, as it's as Paul talks about in Ephesians chapter chapter six. We talked about our makeup a little bit and I want to repeat that just a second. So we have our spirit, soul, and body. Yep. And when we are born into this world, we're born as a descendant of Adam. We were born as a sinner because of the disobedience of Adam. That's Romans chapter five, seventeen through twenty one. Randy: And when we are born into this world, we are born as a descendant of Adam. We are born as a sinner because of the disobedience of Adam. That's Romans chapter five, seventeen through twenty one. And so our spirit is dead, disconnected from God. So we are into this place where Jeff Ward: And so our spirit is dead, disconnected from God. So we're in this place where our primary focus is the physical world. Our primary focus is our five senses, the appetites of our physical of our body or the flesh. And we talk about a carnal Christian, not necessarily an immoral Christian. It's a Christian that trusts his senses over his yeah, over the truth of God's word and his spirit. So we have to train ourselves for that. We have to retrain ourselves. We have to train our body and renew our mind, right? Yeah. We we Randy: Our primary focus is the physical world. Our primary focus is our five senses. the appetites of our physical, of our body or the flesh. And we talk about a carnal Christian, isn't necessarily an immoral Christian. It's a Christian that trusts his senses over his over the truth of God's word and his spirit. So we have to train ourselves. Yeah. We have to retrain ourselves. We have to train our body and renew our mind, right? So we we come in and we develop this trust of our flesh being fed and our intellect being fed by our five senses and now, like you said, boom, you confess Jesus as Lord. He comes into your life. You're a new creation. Now your spirit is alive. Your spirit is actually one with Christ. Jeff Ward: in and we develop this trust of our flesh and being fed our intellect being fed by our five senses and now like you said boom you confess Jesus is Lord He comes into your life you're a new creation now your spirit is alive your spirit is actually one with Christ and now instead of focusing on truth coming from our five senses and through the physical world now truth is actually real truth which is from the spirit realm which is from Randy: And now instead of focusing on truth coming from our five senses and through the physical world, now truth is actually real truth, which is from the spirit realm, which is from the eternal realm, which is from the word of God and the Holy Spirit, one with our spirit. So we have to, like you said, retrain. Yeah. Paul talks about it like an athlete. And then Romans twelve two is probably the nuts is huge as far as re Jeff Ward: the eternal realm, which is from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, one with our spirit. So we have to, like you said, retrain. Yeah. Paul talks about it like an athlete. And then Romans twelve two is probably the nuts is huge as far as re renewing our mind. Our mind is trained to look at the five senses and go, that's reality. Randy: renewing our mind. Our mind is trained to look at our five senses and go, that's reality. But it's not reality. It's the God's truth is reality. And that's comes through the spirit. So that's the renewing of our mind. It's also the battlefield or one of the battlefields that we already talked about. So anyway, we're picking up halfway through this spiel here that that Paul is talking about. He probably appreciates me calling it a spiel, but anyway Jeff Ward: But it's not a reality. It's the God's truth is reality. And that comes through the spirit. So that's the renewing of our mind. It's also the battlefield or one of the battlefields that we already talked about. So anyway, we're picking up halfway through this spiel here that that Paul is talking about. He probably appreciates me calling it a spiel, but anyway. Randy: let's go to Hebrew? Is that Hebrew or Greek? Yeah, that's that's Greek, actually. So go to if you don't Jeff Ward: let's go that Hebrew? Huh? Is that Hebrew or Greek? Yeah, that's that's Greek. So go to if you don't Randy: mind, I'll let you read again. I'll I do some reading today. You never know. verse 15 in Ephesians chapter six, and that'll kind of kick us off here as we get started. All right, six fifteen. Yeah. By fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace. Is Jeff Ward: Again, I do summary today, you never know. Okay. verse fifteen in Ephesians chapter and that'll kinda kick us off started. All right, six fifteen. Yeah. By fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace. Randy: that all? Yes. All right. So Jeff Ward: Yes. All right. So the feet is the foundation, okay? It's the you know, your shoes for any warrior are super important. If your shoes are messed up, you're not gonna be able to fight. And so it same thing. If you don't have peace, you're not gonna be able to fight. Yeah. And that maybe seems a little bit Randy: The feet is the foundation, okay? It's the you know, your shoes for any warrior are super important. If your shoes are messed up, you're not gonna be able to fight. And so same thing. If you don't have peace, you're not gonna be able to fight. And that maybe seems a little bit nonintuitive to somebody that hasn't been to war or hasn't trained for going to war. But to be an effective warrior, you have to have peace. And certainly in this war that we're Jeff Ward: intuitive to somebody that hasn't been to war or hasn't trained for going to war. But to be an effective warrior you have to have peace. And certainly in this war that we are engaged in right now, the peace comes from Jesus and we'll and his gospel. And we'll talk about that in just a second. But Deuteronomy chapter 20 you want to flip to that real quick? Sure. I will let's see what do we want read there. Randy: Engaged in right now. The peace comes from Jesus and we'll and his gospel, and we'll talk about that in just a second. But Deuteronomy chapter 20. You want to flip to that real quick? Sure. I will let's see, what do we want to read there? Jeff Ward: but this is a this is instructions in the law for the nation of Israel about going to war, and you can see from this that if they don't have peace, that they don't want them on the battlefield. So Randy: but this is a this is instructions in the law for the nation of Israel about going to war, and you can see from this that if they don't have peace, they don't want them on the battlefield. So In in in the first four verses he says, Moses, this is kind of a sermon of Moses, he says, Don't be afraid, the Lord will go before you. And then read five through eight there in Deuteronomy, chapter twenty. Jeff Ward: in in the first four verses it says Moses, this is kind of a sermon of Moses, it says, Don't be afraid, the Lord will go before you. And then read five through eight there in Deuteronomy chapter twenty. Deuteronomy twenty, five through eight. Moreover, the officers are to say to the troops, Who among you has built a new house and not dedicated it? He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else dedicate it, or Randy: built a new house and not dedicated it. He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else dedicate it. Or who among you has planted a vineyard and not benefited from it? He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else benefit from it. Or who among you has become engaged to a woman but has not married her? He may go home Jeff Ward: Who among you has planted a vineyard and not benefited from it? He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else benefit from it. Or who among you has become engaged to a woman but has not married her? He may go home, lest he die in battle and someone else marry her. In addition, the officers are to say to the troops, Who among you is afraid and faint hearted? He may go home so that he will not make his fellow soldiers' heart as fearful as his own. Okay, so there's some criteria of people that don't have to go to the Randy: Lest he die in battle and someone else marry her. In addition, the officers are to say to the troops Who among you is afraid and fainthearted? He may go home so that he will not make his fellow soldiers' heart as fearful as his own. Okay, so there's some criteria of people that don't have to go to war. Interesting. You know, Jeff Ward: Interesting. No, so actually and it's not in that verse, but if you're newly married for the first year, you don't have any responsibilities in the nation of Israel. You're supposed to focus on your marriage for the first year. But Randy: So actually and it's not in that verse, but if you're newly married for the first year, you don't have any responsibilities in the nation of Israel. You're supposed to focus on your marriage for the first year. But here these guys are going to war and the officers are supposed to say that. Even if you're afraid, hey, if you're afraid, don't come. We don't want you. we'll talk about here in a minute that fear is the opposite of faith. So you can't have both. Jeff Ward: Here these guys are going to war and the officers are supposed to say that. Even if you're afraid. Hey, if you're afraid, don't come. Yeah. we'll talk about here in a minute that fear is the opposite of faith. So you can't have both. Yeah. that that would apply to us here in a little bit. This kind of applies to a lot that we've already talked about and that we will talk about, but there is a peace that's required to be an effective warrior, and the peace is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we'll we will definitely go through that in just second. But you know, the other thing is is it's future focused. So Randy: that that would apply to us here in a little bit. This kind of applies to a lot that we've already talked about and that we will talk about, but there is a peace that's required to be an effective warrior, and the peace is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we'll we will definitely go through that in just a second. But you know, the other thing is is it's future focused. So when you go into battle, you really don't think about the future. Your future is unknown. It may be very short. Jeff Ward: when you go into battle, you really don't think about the future. Yeah. Your future is unknown. Yeah. It may be very short. Randy: And so if you're thinking about a new home or a new wife or new vineyard or something like that, if you're fearful, in other words, you don't have peace or s or Jeff Ward: And so if you're thinking about a new home or new wife or new vineyard or something like that, if you're fearful, in other words you don't have peace or s or Randy: shalom, then you don't you they don't want you to go into battle. and I don't know if you ever did this, or experienced this, but the air force is the same way. I remember before we went to Desert Storm, they had the legal team came to our squadron. Jeff Ward: shalom then you don't you they don't want you to go into battle. Yeah. And I don't know if you ever did this or experienced this, but the Air Force is the same way. I remember before we went to Desert Storm, they had of the legal team came to our squadron. Randy: The financial team came to our squadron and you went through all these and they said, Okay, do you have a power of attorney so that your wife can do things that you can that she normally can't do on base and downtown while you're away? Okay, what about your will? Is your will up to speed? And make sure that. What about your life insurance? That's the financial guys. Make sure you've maxed out your life insurance, make sure that your beneficiaries are correct. These are all things that are taking Jeff Ward: The financial team came to our squadron and you went through all these and they said, Okay, do you have a power of attorney so that your wife can do things that you can't and that she normally can't do on base and downtown while you're away? Okay, what about your will? Is your will up to speed? And make sure that. What about your life insurance? That's your financial guys. Make sure you've maxed out your life insurance, make sure that your beneficiaries are correct. These are all things that are taken. mental weight off of a person to give them Randy: mental weight off of a person to give them Jeff Ward: peace before we went into battle. That's yeah. They did a did that. Yeah. Before we went. But Randy: peace before we went into battle. That's they did did that before we went. But re about say something. So one of Satan's schemes is to steal our peace and try to take that away from us. He's actually sweeping our feet from under us if you think of it that that way is if you use this these analogies that that Paul is using. And he can attempt that an internal Jeff Ward: say something. No. So one of Satan's schemes is to steal our peace. Yeah. And try to take that away from us. He's actually sweeping our feet from under us if you think of it that that way if you use this these analogies that that Paul is using. And he can attempt that an internal take away your internal peace or take away your peace through internal stuff about doubts and fears. he can create discord. He can create on your hourly discord within family or or between friends. Randy: take away your internal peace or take away your peace through internal stuff about doubts and fears. he can create discord. He can create on your outwardly discord within family or or between friends or just neighborhoods or churches or whatever. and he cause he's trying to steal your peace. But our peace obviously is anchored in in Christ. I want to talk about peace here for just a little bit. Jeff Ward: or just neighborhoods or churches or whatever. and he cause he's trying to steal your peace. But our peace obviously is anchored in in Christ. I want to talk about peace here for just a little bit. And I have a separate document because I've studied this before and and so I'm just leveraging that. Randy: And I have a separate document because I've studied this before and and so I'm just leveraging that. so that's what I'm switching over to here. So let's just talk about peace from a biblical standpoint. I think it is as with all not all, as with many of our words, it doesn't quite translate correctly to the English word peace. Because we think of peace as calm or a lack of of angst or lack of conflict or something like that. Jeff Ward: So that's what I'm switching over to here. So let's just talk about peace from a biblical standpoint. I think it is as with all and not all, as with many of our words, it doesn't quite translate correctly to the English word peace. Because we think of peace as calm or lack of of angst or lack of conflict or something like that. The Hebrew word Randy: The Hebrew word and the Greek word to some degree, but remember these guys thought and were writing in Hebrew, so even though it's in Greek, but the Greek word is is much more similar to the Hebrew word than but it than the English word peace. But what we're translating as peace in Hebrew is shalom. And shalom is a comprehensive covenant condition. What I mean by that, it is the covenant, the new covenant, which is sealed or ratified by the blood of Jesus. Jeff Ward: And the Greek word to some degree, but remember these guys thought and were writing in Hebrew, so even though it's in Greek, but the Greek word is is much more similar to the Hebrew word than but it than the English word peace. But what we're translating as peace in Hebrew is shalom. And shalom is a comprehensive covenant condition. What I mean by that, it is the covenant, the new covenant, which is sealed or ratified by the blood of Jesus Randy: Once and for all, 2000 Jeff Ward: once and for all, two thousand. Years ago and it can't be undone. That's what our peace is made is based on. Here's some of the definitions. It means wholeness, completeness, soundness, well-being, safety, rest, order. It means nothing is missing. It means nothing is broken. And it has to do with your health, it has to do so your body, it has to do with your finances, with your business, with your relationships. Randy: years ago, and it can't be undone. That's what our peace is made is based on. Here's some of the definitions. It means wholeness, completeness, soundness, well-being, safety, rest, order. It means nothing is missing. It means nothing is broken. And it has to do with your health, it has to do so your body, it has to do with your finances, with your business, with your relationships. Jeff Ward: It's basically your whole life. Randy: It's basically your whole life is whole and complete. but here, shalom is the normal state of covenant life when relation, order, and provision are intact. That's what shalom means. The Greek word is very similar. and it's translated out of shalom into Greek, and and I'm not going to go into that exactly, but let's just look at a few verses. let's see. Jeff Ward: is whole and complete. put here shalom is the normal state of covenant life when relation, order, and provision are intact. That's what shalom means. The Greek word is very similar and it's translated out of shalom into Greek and and I'm not going to go into that exactly, but let's just look at a few verses. Let's see. Randy: I put here peace. it does not deny external pressure. It does deny trials or persecution. And it doesn't, it's not a momentary emotional response. It is a covenant-based condition. Okay. here's another thing I wrote. In biblical, if biblical peace is a covenant condition, or biblical peace is a covenant condition meaning wholeness, completeness, and restored order. And Christ has established that peace. Jeff Ward: peace it does not deny external pressure it does deny trials or persecution and it doesn't it's not a momentary emotional response it is a covenant based condition okay yeah here's another thing I wrote in biblical if biblical peace is a covenant condition or biblical peace is a covenant condition meaning wholeness completeness and restored order and Christ has established that peace through reconciliation Randy: Through reconciliation. If all that is true, then disturbance, anxiety, and inner turmoil turmoil have no legal authority to govern the new covenant believers inner life. So th let's let's think through that or let's look up some stuff. Look up Romans five one if you don't mind. are you what are you in the N E T there? Sure. Okay. No. Jeff Ward: If all that is true, then disturbance, anxiety, and inner turmoil turmoil have no legal authority to govern the new covenant believers in her life. So let's let's think through that or let's look up some stuff. Look up Romans 5 1 if you don't mind. Okay. are you what are you in the NET there? Sure. Okay. You want something else? No. Okay. Romans five one. Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Okay. We have peace with God because of what Christ did. Yeah. Two thousand years ago can't be undone. Yeah. that's what we're talking about a covenant thing. So a justified person or a person who is righteous or a person who is right before Randy: Since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with through our Lord Jesus Christ. Okay. We have peace with God because of what Christ did. Two thousand years ago can't be undone. that's what we're talking about a covenant thing. So a justified person or a person who is righteous or a person who is right before God, is first of all that as a gift by faith. Jeff Ward: is first of all that as a gift by faith and he's not seeking peace but we're sta we we have a stance of peace we're s we're in a place of pe peace. It's like you can Randy: And he's not seeking peace, but we're st we we have a stance of peace. We're s we're in a place of pe peace. All right. Jeff Ward: operate at a hundred percent capacity when you're at when you're at peace with God, you can just fully be what he's called you to be. Right. You don't have there's no weight, no nothing I say holding you back in what he's called us to do. Right? Right. Randy: And when you're at peace with God, you can just fully be what He's called you to be. Right. You don't have there's no weight, no something like say holding you back. Yeah. Right. There's not that itch in the back of your head that goes, man, I gotta I gotta make sure this is right, I gotta keep track of this. I think righteousness is in peace being in a right stand with him, being at peace with him. Jeff Ward: There's not that itch in the back of your head that goes, man, I gotta I gotta yeah make sure this is right. I gotta keep track of this. I think righteousness and peace, being in a right stand with him, being at peace with him, yeah, is is that that just makes that go away. Right. Yeah, now you're you're not distracted, you're focused, and I said now you can give your full attention to where God has called you to place your full attention. Randy: is is that it that just makes that go away. And yeah, now you're you're not distracted, you're focused. And like I said, now you can give your full attention to where God has called you to place your full attention. Yeah. And in this context we're talking about in the battle, spiritual warfare and within our mind. let's go to Ephesians two fourteen. Jeff Ward: Yeah. Yeah. And in this context we're talking about in the battle, spiritual warfare and within our mind. let's go to Ephesians two fourteen. Fijians two fourteen. For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one, and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility. Okay, so here peace is contrasted with hostility. Peace is also Randy: peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility. Okay, so here peace is contrasted with hostility. Peace is also Jeff Ward: rests squarely on Jesus' shoulders and not ours, right? I put peace is personal, it's not abstract. Christ embodies this covenant shalom. Randy: Rest squarely on Jesus' shoulders and not ours, right? I put peace is personal, it's not abstract. Christ embodies this covenant shalom. Hostility is not managed, it is destroyed, it's gone. The in in this context is talking between the the groups of Gentile and Jew. And separation now is replaced with wholeness, is replaced with unity. go to John 14, 27. Jeff Ward: Hostility is not managed, it is destroyed, it's gone. The in in this context is talking between the the groups of Gentile and Jew. And separation now is replaced with wholeness, is replaced with unity. go to John fourteen twenty-seven. John fourteen twenty seven. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. Peace. Jesus speaks of peace almost as a substance. And in the spirit realm I think it is a substance. It's something that he leaves us with. not. Randy: Peace Jesus speaks of peace almost as a substance. And in the spirit realm, I think it is a substance. It's something that he leaves us with. not I don't think we're gonna talk about it here in in these notes, but you know, he's if when he when he sends out the twelve and then and then when he sends out the seventy, he says, Hey, when you go into a house, let your peace rest on that house. And if some if they're not worthy of that peace, then then take it back from you. That's that's a Jeff Ward: in these notes but you know he's if when he when he sends out the twelve and then and then when he sends out the seventy he says, Hey, when you go into a house, let your peace rest on that house. And if some if they're not worthy of that peace then then take it back from me. That's that's a a statement that is hard to comprehend, especially with us in that we don't really spend a lot of time thinking about peace. Our culture doesn't. Yeah. probably searching for it Randy: a statement that is hard to comprehend, especially with us in that we don't really spend a lot of time thinking about peace. Our culture doesn't. probably searching for it unconsciously. And in some of that is is is the words that we use. Our word for peace is not something particularly powerful compared to shalom. here he goes, he leaves it when he says he leaves it with you, he's implying that's a language of inheritance. Jeff Ward: And in some of that is is is the words that we use. Our word for peace is not something particularly powerful compared to shalom. Yeah. here he goes, he leaves it. When he says he leaves it with you, he's implied that's a language of inheritance. It is our inheritance. Okay. let's see. Randy: It is our inheritance. Okay. let's see. Jeff Ward: let's go on to Colossians three fifteen and then we'll Randy: let's go on to Colossus three fifteen and then we'll Yeah, this will be no questions three fifteen. Jeff Ward: Yeah, this will be no Colossus three, fifteen. Okay. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart, for you were in fact called as one body to this peace and be thankful. Isn't it interesting that it's supposed to be in control of your heart? Peace is something that controls your heart. it's it's it's the it's the ruler and the umpire, if you will. Randy: And be thankful. Isn't it interesting that it's supposed to be in control of your heart? Peace is something that controls your heart. it's it's it's the it's the ruler and the umpire, if you will. If you have peace, I think that's the Holy Spirit telling you keep going. If something doesn't feel right or isn't quite right, stop. Ask the Holy Spirit, spend time, make sure you get that sorted out. in Hebrew in Hebrew thought, shalom is a state in which everything is in its proper place. Jeff Ward: If you have peace, I think that's the Holy Spirit telling you keep going. If something doesn't feel right or isn't quite right, stop. Ask the Holy Spirit. Spend time. Make sure you get that sorted out. in Hebrew, in Hebrew thought, Shalom is a state in which everything is in its proper place. Randy: In Philippians 4, 6 and 7, we won't go there for the sake of time, but Jeff Ward: In Philippians 4, 6 and 7, we won't go there for the sake of time. But Randy: it says, well, I'll just read it. Don't be anxious for anything. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. So so peace actively guards your heart. It implies that there's a threat prevention. Again, it's a good reason Paul would mention it where he does here. Shalom functions defensively and proactively. Jeff Ward: It says, well I'll just read it. Don't be anxious for anything. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. So so peace actively guards your heart. It implies that there there's a threat prevention. Again, it's a good reason Paul would mention it where he does here. Shalom functions defensively and proactively. Yeah. Again, I've said this over and over, so I'll I'll say it one more time and stop, hopefully. Is that it's such a powerful word. The biblical Randy: Again, I I've said this over and over, so I'll I'll say it one more time and stop, hopefully, is that it's such a powerful word. The biblical concept of peace is such a huge word and contains so much, even so much so that I don't I have quit in my prayers and in my meditation. And in my just talking to the Lord, I I I rarely use the word peace. I I I talk about shalom because there's just I know it's not English, but it's just the the the English word for peace just falls flat compared to the word shalom. So that's one thing I've done in my thought life and my prayer life is to is to I just don't use it. Jeff Ward: Shalom because there's just I know it's not English, but it's just the the the English word for peace just falls flat. Yeah. Compared to the word shalom. So right. That's one thing I've done in my thought life and my prayer life is to is to I just don't use it. let's go Romans eight six. We're gonna Yeah. Randy: Let's go to Romans eight six. We're gonna Yeah. Read that, please. Jeff Ward: Read that please. Eight, six. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the spirit is life and peace. That's a that's Romans eight, or at least the first part of Romans eight. Randy: That's a that's Romans eight, or at least the first part of Romans eight talks a lot about living according to the flesh or living according to the spirit, which is life. It's interesting that peace is included in that. The spirit living the outlook of the spirit is life and peace. Yeah, you you and I might think we might throw other words in there instead of peace, holiness, or we might throw Jeff Ward: It's interesting that peace is included in that. The spirit living the outlook of the spirit is life and peace. Yeah, you you and I might think we might throw other words in there instead of peace, holiness, or we might throw Randy: you know, power. or some other kind of word in there to kind of elevate that or love maybe would be word. the Holy Spirit through Paul's pen puts peace in there. Again, this is a very rich word and concept. And then I think this will be yeah, this will be the last one. let's go to Second Thessalonians three, sixteen. Jeff Ward: some other kind of word in there to kind of elevate that or love maybe would be word. the Holy Spirit through Paul's pen puts peace in there. Yeah. This is a very rich word and concept. And then I think this will be yeah, this will be the last one. let's go to Second Thessalonians three sixteen. Okay. Second Thessalonians 3 16. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. Okay. The Lord of peace. That's one of his names. Yeah. Randy: Okay. The Lord of Peace. That's his one of his names. Yeah. I mean, you know, you just go okay. Again, most of us probably maybe because our word is so empty compared to Shalom, that we wouldn't even think about Jeff Ward: you know, you just go okay. Again, most of us probably maybe because our word is so empty compared to shalom that we wouldn't even think about Randy: that as one of his labels. But this is this is. Paul says, May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. Jeff Ward: That is one of his labels. But this is what this is. Paul says, May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and every way. Yeah. So it comes from the Lord of peace. It's super important. That's why in in Ephesians chapter six it's a foundational concept. What I mean by foundation he's talking about your feet being shod with the peace. So you and the devil's wanna try to sweep your feet out from on you. It's continuous. It disrupt fear disrupts shalom. So it's up to us to receive this peace and and Randy: So it comes from the Lord of peace. It's super important. That's why in in Ephesians chapter six, it's a foundational concept. And what I mean by foundation, he's talking about your feet being shod with the peace. So you and the devil's going to try to sweep your feet out from on you. It's continuous. It disrupts fear, disrupts shalom. So it's up to us to receive this peace and and cast out fear. so and also. Jeff Ward: cast out fear. so and also if you don't if if you if you're experiencing something not right within your emotions, within within your life, you need to investigate why. Because you're not supposed to live that way. Yeah. It's not the gift that we've been given and that does not make us an effective warrior. let's see, do I have anything else to close up? Randy: If you don't if if you if you're experiencing something not right within your emotions, within within your life, you need to investigate why. Because you're not supposed to live that way. That is not the gift that we've been given and that does not make us an effective warrior. let's see. Do I have anything else to close up? before we go back before we go into the to the next one which is the shield of faith. If you really look at the definition of shalom and then move it over Jeff Ward: If you really look at the definition of shalom and then move it over Randy: and to take a look at the satanic attacks, it will help you define the satanic attacks. Our health and our money are two of the primary ways that he attacks us to create to this instability, to sweep our feet out from under. So we you know, by taking away our peace. Jeff Ward: And to take a look at the satanic attacks, it will help you define the satanic attacks. Our health and our money are two of the primary ways that he attacks us to create to this instability. Yeah. To sweep our feet out from under so we don't by taking away our peace. Yeah. And that's just not supposed to to go that way. I think there's I think there's an attack within the church right now, frankly. Randy: And that's just not supposed to to go that way. I think there's a I think there's an attack within the church right now, frankly. because there's many churches and religious people that speak out against health and Jeff Ward: because there's many churches and religious people that speak out against health. In some guide against prosperity. And certainly there are people that have taken that far to the extreme right and been stupid about it. But I it it should be pretty easy to figure out f filter out the stup stupidity on on either side of the spectrum. Right and live in a position of shalom which includes completeness and wholeness across your whole life. anything else before we go on? Randy: speak out against prosperity. And certainly there are people that have taken that far to the extreme and been stupid about it. But I it it should be pretty easy to figure out f filter out the stup stupidity on on either side of the spectrum and live in a position of shalom, which includes completeness and wholeness across your whole life. anything else before we go on? Jeff Ward: Thoughts that came to your Randy: Thoughts that came to you. Jeff Ward: No, they're usually f very fleeting. They very come and go. Maybe you should write something down, I don't know. Or just hold up your hands, raise your hand. Yeah. Like we'll try to keep before they fleet. Like it's way more Randy: They very fleeting. So they came in maybe you should write some down, I don't know. Or just hold out your hand, raise your hand and I'll we'll try to keep before they fleet. Jeff Ward: than a lack of trouble. Yeah. It or Randy: Yeah. Jeff Ward: disturb in our whatever life. It's just a whole, like you said, completeness. Randy: And Jeff Ward: And a peace that when trouble comes, it's not really trouble. Or w it it's something we just maneuver through. Yeah. That's the thing I probably I didn't say that you just said is that it's not a lack of trouble, it's actually peace in the middle of trouble. Yeah. In the middle of circumstances that don't look right. Right. Maybe even our marriage covenant. Mm-hmm. It means when Chrissy and I disagree or whatever, that we operate through it because there's a covenant Randy: a peace that when trouble comes, it's not really trouble. Right. Yeah. That's the thing I probably I I didn't say that you just said is that it's not a lack of trouble, it's actually peace in the middle of trouble. Yeah. In the middle of circumstances that don't look right. Maybe even our marriage covenant. It means when Chrissy and I disagree or whatever, that we operate through it. Yeah. Because there's a covenant Jeff Ward: relationship and peace because we're not Randy: relationship and peace because we're not battling each other. We're just working through whatever communication, whatever it may be, it's a different way to Jeff Ward: battling each other, we're just working through whatever, communication, whatever it may be, we're it's a different way to operate in a marriage because there is a covenant. Right. And I know she loves me. She knows I love her. Yeah. So peace is a is the same in the new covenant. There's established on that. And when things aren't going right, I think when things aren't going right, that's where we're called to enter in this Ephesians six or live Randy: In a marriage because there is a covenant. Right. And I know she loves me. She knows I love her. Yeah, and peace is is the same thing in the new covenant. There's it's established on that. And when things aren't going right, I think when things aren't going right, that's where we're called to enter in this Ephesians six or live out of Ephesians six and confront the circumstances. Right. you know, not out of a position of trying to attain comfort, but in a position of trying to Jeff Ward: Ephesians six and confront the circumstances. Right. you know, not out of a position of trying to attain comfort, but a in a position of trying to ensure God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Right. So, yeah. Anything else? No, sir. Alright. Randy: Ensure God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. so, yeah. Anything else? No, sir. All right. Go back to Ephesians six and read the read sixteen if you don't mind. Sixteen? Yeah, verse six sixteen. And in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Okay, so the shield of faith. Jeff Ward: Go back to Ephesians six and read the read sixteen if you don't mind. Sixteen? Yeah. And in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Okay, so the shield of faith. Randy: this shield is the is the word for the big shield that would cover your whole body. In other words, you could get behind. It would be the shield that they would link together. And so when the enemy s slings a gazillion arrows at Jeff Ward: this shield is the is the word for the big shield that would cover your whole body. In other words, you could get behind. It would be the shield that they would link together. And so when the enemy s slings a gazillion arrows at Randy: then they would they would you know, they would hit this this real this huge shield that they could get behind. And it would be covered in be wood covered in leather and then they would soak the leather. So it'd be full of it would to try to make it fire retardant because the fiery arrows, or the flaming arrows, are arrows that literally were on fire with tar or whatever. And the enemy shot will even catch you, you know, into your shield. Well, if it's wet and covered it it would extinguish those. Okay. And that's kind of what Paul has in in view here is this shield of faith. Jeff Ward: be wood covered in leather and then they would soak the leather so it'd be full of it would to try to make it fire retardant because the fiery arrows or the flaming arrows are arrows that literally were on fire with tar or whatever and the enemy shot well if you catch it you know into your shield well if it's wet and covered it it would extinguish those okay and that's kind of what Paul has in in view here is this shield of faith. Randy: So Jeff Ward: So Randy: let's talk about faith here. Well no let's not talk about that. Just say let's let's look at some fiery darts. One thing that I've always thought of as flaming arrows is one of the things that's talked by in Romans eight, thirty one through thirty-five. So Romans eight thirty-one through thirty-five. Jeff Ward: talk about faith here well not let's not talk about that just let's let's look at some fiery darts one thing that I've always thought of as flaming arrows is one of the things that's talked about in Romans eight thirty one through thirty five so Romans eight thirty one through thirty five okay What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is not or it is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died, and more than that he was raised, who is at the right hand of God, and who is also interceding for us? Who Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Okay. That's good. Okay. That's a that's a that's you know a great section of scripture in it, and we all are familiar with it. But it shows four of the fiery darts. The first one is God is not on your side. Randy: persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. Alright. Okay. That's good. That's a that's a that's you know a great section of scripture in it and we all are familiar with it. But it shows four of the fiery darts. The first one is God is not on your side. And that's the temptation, you know it says if God is for us who can be against us? And he he actually didn't spare his own son. If he if he gave you his own son Jeff Ward: And that's the temptation, you know, it says if God is for us who can be against us? And he he actually didn't spare his own son. If he if he gave you his own son, what is he not gonna give you? Right. He already gave you everything. Right. He gave you his own son. And he's on your side. Randy: What is he not gonna give you? Right. He already gave you everything. He gave you his own son. And he's on your side. Jeff Ward: And so these these this fiery arrow would sound like something like you're not in a right standing with God. Yeah. You can't go boldly into the throne room. You need to go hover in the corner somewhere until you get your life right because you're not in a right standing with him. He's not on your side. he's against you. he's mad at you. he's out to get you. these are all of what this dart or this fiery arrow or flaming arrow sounds like Randy: And so these these this fiery arrow would sound like something like you're not in a right standing with God. You can't go boldly into the throne room. You need to go huddle in the corner somewhere until you get your life right because you're not in a right standing with him. He's not on your side. he's against you. he's mad at you. he's out to get you. these are all of what this dart or this fiery arrow or flaming arrow sounds like. Jeff Ward: in the battlefield of the mind. Randy: in the battlefield of the mind. Jeff Ward: Yeah. Okay. And this is where we need to have truth. Yeah. We talked about truth. This is where we need to have faith, and that's what we're talking about here. This faith that would extinguish that to go, uh-huh. He gave his own son for me. Randy: Okay. And this is where we need to have truth. Already talked about truth. This is where we need to have faith. And that's what we're talking about here, this faith that would extinguish that to go, he gave his own son for me. Jeff Ward: Right. So if I'm experiencing lack over here, or if I'm experiencing my circumstances, don't feel like somebody that who's got on their side, it's not because God's not on my side. Right. There's some other reason going on here, and it's up to me to find out the truth in conjunction with God's word and God's spirit and go attack. Randy: So if I'm experiencing lack over here, or if I'm experiencing my circumstances don't feel like somebody that who's God on their side, it's not because God's not on my side. There's some other reason going on here. And it's up to me to find out the truth in conjunction with God's word and God's spirit and go attack this thing and go, boom, God's will on earth as it is in heaven. Jeff Ward: this thing and go boom, God's will on earth as it is in heaven. there's some other thing I'll put here following the law makes us feel like God is not on our side. If you have a religious bent and you're trying to earn something from the Lord, that can that can make you feel that will eventually fail by the way, and it will eventually make you feel like, God's not on my side. That's another one. God's holding something back from you. That's another Randy: There's some other thing I here, following the law makes us feel like God is not on our side. If you have a religious bent and you're trying to earn something from the Lord, that can that can make you feel that will eventually fail, by the way, and it'll eventually make you feel like, God's not on my side. That's another one. God's holding something back from you. That's another thing or that's another phrase that will that Satan uses in this f flaming arrow to make it feel that way. and then the next one is Jeff Ward: thing or that's another phrase that will that Satan uses in this flaming arrow to make it feel that way. and then the next one is Randy: Who will bring a charge against his elect? It is God who justifies. So that's that sounds like accusations. That sounds like guilt. That sounds like shame. Jeff Ward: who will bring a charge against his elect? It is God who justifies. So that that sounds like accusations, that sounds like guilt, that sounds like shame. Randy: through this fiery flaming arrow, our tendency would be to turn inward, and be focused on ourselves and and be focused on how we don't match up, versus how Christ does match up. And and so, and this is Jeff Ward: This fiery flaming arrow, our tendency would be to turn inward and be focused on ourselves and and be focused on how we don't match up versus how Christ does match up. And and so and this is he's saying, hey, God's not the accuser of the brethren, he's the one that justified or made you right. Randy: he's saying, hey, God's not the accuser of the brethren. He's the one that justified or made you right. He's the one that has cleansed you. I I quick side note here, I personally think many of us Jeff Ward: He's the one that has cleansed you. Yeah. I I quick side note here, I personally think many of us Randy: put we think the Holy Spirit is the accuser of the brethren. Romans twelve says that's the devil. Okay. So if accusations are coming your way, this verse along with Rom Revelation twelve, ten and eleven plus or minus a bit, would tell you otherwise that that no the accusations are coming from the Jeff Ward: We think the Holy Spirit is the accuser of the brethren. Right. Romans twelve says that's the devil. Yeah. Okay. So if accusations are coming your way, this verse along with Roman Revelation twelve, ten and eleven plus or minus a little bit, would tell you otherwise that no the accusations are coming from the Randy: From darkness. Same thing with condemnation. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died. And more than that, he was raised, who is at the right hand of the Father and who's interceding for us. He is not condemning us, he's actually interceding for us. He was condemned in our place. Yeah. He was he was condemned in our place. Did we deserve judgment? Yes. But God's judgment has been totally satisfied. His wrath has been poured out until his wrath buckets are empty. Right? There's nothing left. Jeff Ward: Same thing with condemnation. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died. And more than that, he was raised, who is at the right hand of the Father and who's interceding for us. He is not condemning us, he's actually interceding for us. He was condemned on our behalf. Yes. He was condemned in our place. Did we deserve judgment? Yes. Right. But God's judgment has been totally satisfied. His wrath has been poured out until his wrath buckets are empty. Yeah. Right? There's nothing left. Randy: And so Jeff Ward: And so. So now we there is not nothing between us. Yeah. That's interesting. I've never really considered the Randy: now we there is not nothing between us. and there is no country. I've never really considered the Jeff Ward: implications of his interceding for us. That's he's even more on our side than just like, okay, I fixed you. Now figure it out on your own. Right. I'm just it's not I'm withholding judgment. Right. It's the completely flip side of that. I'm not only withholding judgment. Randy: Right. I'm just it's not I'm withholding judgment. It's it's the completely flip side of that. I'm not only withholding judgment, I'm actually interceding for you, for your success, for your prosperity, for your health, for for you have the ability to go. And it and and just because there's persecution, he's interceding us through that persecution, interceding us through times of of trouble. Jeff Ward: interceding for you right for your success, for your prosperity, for your health, cheering you on. For you have the ability to go and it and and just because there's persecution, he's interceding us through that persecution. Yeah. Yeah. Randy: yeah. And then the last one is that we've probably all heard is is you know God doesn't love you. Jeff Ward: yeah. And then the last one is that we've probably all heard is you know God doesn't love you. Randy: And he said, well, and the opposite is there's actually nothing that could enter that could separate us from the love of God. You know, stuff like you're not worthy for his love, he doesn't pay attention to you, you're too small, why would he care about you? Jeff Ward: And he said, Well, and the opposite is there's actually nothing that could enter that could separate us from the love of God. Yeah. You know, stuff like you're not worthy for his love, he doesn't pay attention to you, you're too small, why would he care about you? look at your circumstances. D does that look like a God that loves you? You know, and those are the kinds of things that we that we would that would hear. This all fits in the category I think I put here is did God really say? Just like in the garden. Yeah, exactly. Randy: look at your circumstances. D does that look like a God that loves you? You know, and those are the kinds of things that we that we would that would hear. This all fits in the category I think I put here is did God really say? Just like in the garden chapter three of Genesis, did God really say? Did he really look at your circumstances? This doesn't say that God loves you. Jeff Ward: Right. Do you really look at your circumstances? Yeah. This doesn't say that God loves you. Yeah. It doesn't even make sense, man. Look around you. Right. Hello. Wake up. Look Yeah. Look what you just did, man. huh. Yeah. And and but this is but our shield of faith is is blocks all that because you know, here's what his word says, therefore here's what the truth is. Yeah. Therefore that's where I will stand. Yeah. And that's kind of the Randy: Right. Hello. Wake up. Look up. Uhhuh. And and but this is but our shield of faith is is blocks all that because you know, here's what his word says, therefore here's what the truth is. Therefore that's where I will stand. And that's kind of the Jeff Ward: Operate by faith, not by sight. Randy: Not by sight. God is gonna ask this and my pastor preached this actually this this week along these lines and I threw this quote out to him that I've always anchored in J.D. Greer's a Jeff Ward: gonna ask this and my pastor preached this actually this this week along these lines and I threw this quote out to him that I've always anchored in JD Greer's a pastor I listen to a lot and a guy I've met several times and I call him my friend. He might not call my name. It's like Randy Who? Yeah who but anyway but so I'll call him my friend if you guys hear that. But he wrote this book called Gospel. Randy: Pastor I listen to a lot and a guy I've met several times and I call him my friend. He might not call me might remember my name. Yeah, who? but anyway, but so I'll call him my friend if you guys are okay with that. But he wrote this book called Gospel. And there's this age old thing. I even saw it in some movie it was a Superman movie and and I didn't want him watching the whole movie. I just saw a clip as I was I was, I forget, tuning through something, and it was I don't even know who the bad guy is in Superman. Jeff Ward: And there's this age old thing. I even saw it in some movie. It was a Superman movie. And and I didn't want to even watch in the whole movie. I just saw a clip as I was I was, I forget, tuning through something, and it was I don't even know who the bad guy is in Superman. You guys do do, but but he's making this big declaring against God and and it's a common one. It is a common atheist drum that they beat. If God is all powerful. Randy: you guys do do, but but he's making this big declaring against God and and it's a common one. It is a common atheist drum that they beat. If God is all powerful, then why is the world so messed up? And if God is all love, then why is the world messed up? If he's got enough power to fix it and he truly God is love, then wouldn't it be fixed? Jeff Ward: Then why is the world so messed up? And if God is all love, then why is the world messed up? If he's got enough power to fix it, and he truly God is love, then wouldn't it be fixed? So either he is not love or he lacks the power to fix it. And their next conclusion will be well, there is no God. Right. And in in JD's book, Gospel, it says that. Randy: So either he is not love or he lacks the power to fix it. And their next conclusion will be, well, there is no God. And in in JD's book Gospel, it says that we will judge God's compassion by the cross and his power by the resurrection. Jeff Ward: We will judge God's compassion by the cross and his power by the resurrection. Yeah. So we're not gonna look at our circumstances and go and question his power. We're not gonna look at his circumstances and question his compassion or his love. Because when I when I think about compassion or love, I'm gonna look to the cross. His son is on the cross. Yeah. Or you can put it another way, he himself is on the cross. Yeah. And then when I'm skeptical of his power, I'm Randy: So we're not going to look at our circumstances and go and question his power. We're not going to look at his circumstances and question his compassion or his love. Because when I when I think about compassion or love, I'm going to look to the cross. His son is on the cross. Or you can put it another way, he himself is on the cross. And then when I'm skeptical of his power, I'm this is probably a less of a temptation for most of us, but if I'm ever skeptical of his power, I'm going to look to the resurrection. And the resurrection takes a takes all Jeff Ward: This is probably less of a temptation for most of us, but if I'm ever skeptical of his power, I'm gonna look to the resurrection. Yeah. And we s we talked about that in where do we talk about that? In Ephesians chapter one. He's talking about this power that ra didn't just raise him from the dead, but took him from from the tomb all the way to the right hand of the Father. And this immense power that is for us. Randy: questions for his power away. And then we s we talked about that in where do we talk about that? In Ephesians chapter one. It's talking about this power that raised didn't just raise him from the dead, but took him from from the tomb all the way to the right hand of the Father in his immense power that is for us. All right, let's go on to the next one unless you got more to say there. No sir. This next verse is going to cover two things. So there you go. We're gonna have to do this. Jeff Ward: Alright, let's go on to the next one unless got more to say there. No, sir. This next verse will cover two things, so there you go. We're gonna have to do this. Okay. Seventeen, just seventeen? Yeah. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Okay. So we had this helmet of salvation, we have the sword of the spirit. It's interesting to me that he says, take up. So we are to grab. Randy: Verse 17. Seventeen. Yeah. Yeah. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Okay. So we had this helmet of salvation, we have the sword of the spirit. It's interesting to me that he says, Take up. So we are to grab and put on, or grab and use both of these, as is all these other things, because I think this whole section started with take up or put on that you may stand. Jeff Ward: And put on or grab and use both of these, as is all these other things, because I think this whole section star would take up or put on that you stand. But the reason I bring that out with the helmet of salvation, and I'll bring it out the same thing with the sword, the spirit as well. It's interesting that he's talking to the church at Ephesus, so he's writing this letter to a bunch of folks that are are s that are already saved. Yet he tells them to put the helmet of salvation on. So the helmet of salvation is not being saved. Randy: But the reason I bring that out with the helmet of salvation, and I'll bring it out the same thing in the sword of the spirit as well. It's interesting that he's talking to the church at Ephesus. So he's writing this letter to a bunch of folks that are that are already saved. Yet he tells them to put the helmet of salvation on. So the helmet of salvation is not being saved because these folks are already saved, but it's something that we have to put on and to you know. Jeff Ward: you know to guard our minds to to it's it's kind of the culmination of a lot of things we've already talked about about truth and righteousness restplated righteousness and those kinds of things so this helmet of salvation it is something that a believer puts on this imagery comes straight from Isaiah 5917. Once you read that if you can find Isaiah starts with an high it's in the old testament okay fifty nine fifty nine seventeen okay Randy: to guard our minds, to to it's it's kind of the culmination of a lot of the things we already talked about about truth and righteousness, breastplate of righteousness and those kinds of things. So this helmet of salvation, it is something that a believer puts on. this imagery comes straight from Isaiah fifty nine seventeen. Once you read that if you can find Isaiah. It starts with an I it's in the Old Testament. Fifty nine seventeen. Jeff Ward: He wears his desire for justice like body armor, and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head. He puts on the garment of vengeance, the garments of vengeance, and wears zeal like a robe. Okay. That helmet in the New King James NETFA9 is the helmet of salvation on his head. So he puts the breastplate of righteousness, that should sound familiar, and he puts on the helmet of salvation. The he in this is Yahweh. Randy: He wears his desire for justice like body armor, and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head. He puts on the garment of vengeance, garments of vengeance, and wears zeal like a robe. Okay. That helmet in the New King James NETF is the helmet of salvation on his head. So he puts the breastplate of righteousness, that should sound familiar, and he puts on the helmet of salvation. The he in this is Yahweh. Jeff Ward: It is God Himself puts on these two things. Here we are, we've been discussing this for a number of sessions. Here we are talking about the same armor that Jesus Christ wears. The same armor. And I put here, it fits us perfectly. It actually when you have it all on, feels like it was actually made for you, which it is. Interesting. But it sounds Randy: It is God Himself puts on these two things. Here we are, we've been discussing this for a number of sessions. Here we are talking about the same armor that Jesus Christ wears. The same armor. And I put here, it fits us perfectly. It actually, when you have it all on, feels like it was actually made for you, which it is. But it sounds Jeff Ward: like Randy: like a heretic speaking. It sounds like blasphemy when you go, wait a minute, who am I to think about wearing the helmet of salvation when the when Yahweh wears it? When or breastplated righteous, but that's what he's he's talking about here, right? And he's pe people is Paul's already talking to a group of folks who are in Christ. Jeff Ward: Speaking. Right. It sounds like blasphemy. When you go, wait a minute, who am I to think about wearing the helmet of salvation when the when Yahweh wears it? When or breastplate of righteousness, but that's what he's he's talking about here, right? And he's peep people is Paul's already talking to a group of folks who are in Christ. And and saying put on this helmet salvation. So it's not salvation is not something that we earn or this battle that we're talking about, it's not in order to gain salvation, it is it is from salvation. Okay, so salvation and all that in righteousness and truth and faith and these things are the starting point by which we employ Randy: And and saying, put on this helm of salvation. So it's not salvation is not something that we earn or this battle that we're talking about is not in order to gain salvation. It is it is from salvation. Okay. So salvation and all the in righteousness and truth and faith and these things are the starting point by which we employ Some of the attributes we can just go just to Ephesians that we've already talked about, the attributes that this helmet represents. Okay? Let's go through some of those. Let's go back to Ephesians one verse seven. Jeff Ward: Some of the attributes. We can just go just to Ephesians that we've already talked about. The attributes that this helmet represents. Okay? Let's go through some of those. Okay. Let's go back to Ephesians 1, verse 7. Ephesians 1, 7. All right. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace. So Randy: Through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses according to the his grace. So this helmet of salvation, we are redeemed fully. We are forgiven of all of our offense offenses. Yeah, go read to flip over to chapter two, read four, five, six. Jeff Ward: This helm and our salvation, we are redeemed fully. We are forgiven of all our offenses. Offenses offenses, yeah. Yeah. Go read to flip over to chapter two, read four, five, six. Two, four, five, and six. Okay, but God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made a lot made us alive together with Christ, by grace you are saved. And he raised us up. Randy: He loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made a lot made us alive together with Christ, by grace you are saved. And he raised us up together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Okay, so we are redeemed, we're forgiven, we are been made alive. Now we are seated with him in heavenly realms. Going back, switch the order here on you, but going back to verse Jeff Ward: Together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Okay, so we are redeemed, we're forgiven, we are been made alive. Now we are seated with him in heavenly realms. Going back, switch the order here on you, but going back to verse Randy: 13 and 14 chapter one, we are sealed. We are marked, sealed with the Holy Spirit. I put here this this protects our mind, it protects us from these attacks, Satan's attacks on our identity, on our standing, on our forgiveness, on our acceptance, on our relationship with God. And Jeff Ward: And 14 chapter 1, we are sealed. We are marked, sealed with the Holy Spirit. I put here this this protects our mind, it protects us from these attacks, Satan's attacks on our identity, on our standing, on our forgiveness, on our acceptance, on our relationship with God, and And all these things are past tense. They've already happened for this. The the enemy's accusation says, or the intent of it, is to look at yourself. The helmet of salvation says look at Christ and what God has accomplished in him. This is the enemy is always going to try to make us self-focused or something else focused, fear focused as an example. This is our helmet or salvation is always Christ fo Christ focused. Randy: And all these things are past tense. They've already happened for this. The the enemy's accusation says, or the intent of it is to look at yourself. The helmet of salvation says, look at Christ and what God has accomplished in him. This is the enemy is always going to try to make us self focused or something else focused, fear focused as an example. This is our helmet or salvation is always Christ fo Christ focused. Let's go to Jeff Ward: Let's go to First Thessalonians five, eight is another place that Paul mentions this helmet. Okay. Randy: First Thessalonians five, eight is another place that Paul mentions this helmet. Jeff Ward: five eight but since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. As a helmet? Randy: We are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. As a helmet of our hope or our hope for salvation. This is talking about our future. This is talking about the place, this time about this afternoon, tomorrow. Yeah. Next year, next week. Jeff Ward: Salvation. This isn't talking about our future. This is talking about the place, this time about this afternoon, tomorrow, yeah, next year, next week. it's our expectation of a wonderful, glorious future because we are we are saved now and we're saved to something in the future, and we're saved into all of eternity. So Randy: It's our expectation of a wonderful, glorious future because we are we are saved now and we're saved to something in the future and we're saved into all of eternity. So Here's here's something that maybe folks haven't thought about. But a warrior's future Jeff Ward: Here's here's something that maybe folks haven't thought about. But a warrior's future. Randy: And their outlook can be very short Jeff Ward: And their outlook can be very short. Randy: because they don't know what's the result of each of these battles they go into are. But with the helmet of salvation, as a helmet of our hope for salvation, we have we can go into battles with a sure future, looking forward. When I was in Desert Storm, I lived in a tent. Jeff Ward: Because they don't know what's the result of each of these battles they go into are. Right. But with a helmet of salvation, we know the helmet of our hope for salvation. We have we can go into battles with a sure future. Yeah. Looking forward. When I was in Desert Storm, I lived in a tent with my four ship, so four of us in this tent. We had our each had our own little space. We had our letters from home, we had things that people had sent us, we had you know, stuff we had brought, things we'd called home or written. Randy: with my four ship, so four of us in this tent. We had our each had our own little space. We had our letters from home. We had things that people had sent us. We had you know stuff we had brought, you know things we'd called home or written, Jeff Ward: And rent home about hey, I forgot this. Can you send that? These kinds of things. But one thing I I was mostly for the first six weeks I was on the night shift. so I flew at night and and was slept during the day. But when about dinner time we'd start moving around and get woke up and and go to the chow hall or the chow tent Randy: written home about, hey, I forgot this. Can you send that? These kinds of things. But one thing w I I was mostly for the first six weeks I was on the night shift. so I flew at night and and was slept during the day. But when about dinner time we'd start moving around, get woke up and and go to the chow hall or the chow tent. and eat and then we would go in and brief up our mission and we would do our mission all night long that we were going into. And Jeff Ward: and eat, and then we would go in and brief up our mission and we would do our mission all night long that we were going into and Randy: one thing I did before I went to dinner, I was ready to go. I was, you know, in my flight suit, boots, ready to go and and start that process. But I always checked back and made sure everything was the way I wanted it. And I go, you know, because I don't know if I'm coming back here tomorrow. Jeff Ward: One thing I did before I went to dinner, I was ready to go, I was, you know, in my flight suit, boots, ready to go and and start that process. But I always checked back and made sure everything was the way I wanted it. And I go, you know, because I don't know if I'm coming back here tomorrow. Right. I don't know if somebody, one of my buddies, is gonna come in and box everything up and s mail it to my wife. Randy: I don't know if somebody, one of my buddies, is gonna come in and box everything up and s mail it to my wife. Jeff Ward: Yeah. And I'm just like, you know, it's part of that having the you know, what we did before we left, having our will correct, having the life insurance correct. I'm just like, you know, I just want to I don't know what my future is. Right. And it so it it can be very short-sighted. But we don't have to live like that. We don't have to fight like that. Randy: And I'm just like, you know, it's part of that having the you know, what we did before we left, having our will correct, having the life insurance correct. I'm just like, you know, I just wanna I don't know what my future is. And it so it it can be very short sighted. But we don't have to live like that. We don't have to fight like that. Jeff Ward: Yeah. In a in a warfare because we have this helmet of salvation that gives us a a hope of salvation. Randy: In a in a warfare because we have this helmet of salvation that gives us a a hope of salvation. So, how do we live with this helmet? I put here just plain and simple is we we deliberately think from the reality of salvation. Salvation is truth, it is reality, and that's where we live from. And that alone will fend off so many wrong thoughts and so many attacks. I Jeff Ward: So how do we live with this helmet? I put here just it's just plain and simple is we we deliberately think from the reality of salvation. Salvation is truth, it is reality, and that's where we live from. And that alone will will fend off so many wrong thoughts and so many attacks. But here, when circumstances contradict what God has said, Randy: put here when circumstances contradict what God has said. Jeff Ward: we do not allow circumstances to become the final authority over our thinking. Yeah. That's kind of goes back to the point of standing. We're going to look to it. This is you talked about the renewed mind. Romans 12 2 says, Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing your mind. It's that transformation of our mind that takes our intellect and aligns it with the mind of Christ, which we have, that aligns it with the truth of Randy: We do not allow circumstances to become the final authority over our thinking. That's kind of goes back to the point of standing. We're going to look to it. This is you talked about the renewed mind. Romans twelve two says, Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing your mind. It's that transformation of our mind that takes our intellect and aligns it with the mind of Christ, which you have, that aligns it with the truth of Christ. the that comes through our spirit through God's word through the Holy Spirit through the reality and the eternity of the of the spirit realm and I I I paraphrase it probably I can't remember if I quoted directly, but here's what Colossians two or three, two through three says keep thinking about the things above, not things on earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with with Christ in God. So that's the word to put it. But here, I will interpret my circumstance. I will interpret myself, my circumstances, my enemy, and my future through what God says is true of me in Christ. Jeff Ward: But here I will interpret my circumstance I will I will interpret myself, my circumstances, my enemy, and my future through what God says is true of me in Christ. Randy: I'm gonna repeat that. I will interpret myself, my circumstances, my enemy, and my future through what God says is true of me in Christ. Jeff Ward: Will interpret myself, my circumstances, my enemy, and my future through what God says is true of me in Christ. We fight as a people who have been redeemed, forgiven, made alive, raised with Christ, seated with Him, sealed with His Spirit, and promised an inheritance. That's the salvation that is sure, and that is the salvation that protects the warrior's mind. Randy: We fight as a people who have been redeemed, forgiven, made alive, raised with Christ, seated with him, sealed with his spirit, and promised an inheritance. That's the salvation that is sure, and that is a salvation that protects the warrior's mind. All right, let's go into the sword of spirit unless you have anything else there. All right. Jeff Ward: Alright, let's go into the sword of the spirit unless you have anything else there. I don't. Alright. The sword of the spirit. Now take the sword. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. He's pretty explicit and tells us we don't have to read between the the lines there. It's a unique peace of armor. And you and I had this discussion offline a a few weeks ago. Randy: The sword of the spirit, and take the sword. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. He's pretty explicit and tells us we don't have to read between the the lines there. It's a unique peace of armor. And you and I had this discussion offline a a few weeks ago. This is the small sword that a Roman. Jeff Ward: This is the small sword that a Roman would carry. This is maybe a def defensive sword. This is a close end combat sword. This is not the big long sword where you just go whacking through people. This is the one that comes at you. I heard somebody say this is also the one that if you get a wound and you get a an arrow stuck in you, this would be the one that you would dig it out. So this takes care of you in a in a number of different ways. Randy: would carry. This is maybe a defensive sword. This is a close end combat sword. This is not the big long sword where you just go whacking through people. This is the one that comes at you. I heard somebody said this is also the one that if you get a wound and you get a an arrow stuck in you, this would be the one that you would dig it out. So this takes care of you in a in a number of different ways. note that this this is Jeff Ward: Note that this this is the sword is the sword of the spirit. So it's not a sword that we can see, but it is a sword that we can take up, because we're told to take up this this sword. The power is not in human cleverness, it's not in positive thinking or merely repeating religious phrases. The weapon, this weapon originates with and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Okay? And Paul immediately defines it as not just the sword of the spirit, he says, which is the word of God. Randy: The sword is the sword of the spirit. So it's not a sword that we can see, but it is a sword that we can take up, because we're told to take up this sword. The power is not in human cleverness, it's not in positive thinking or merely repeating religious phrases. The weapon, this weapon originates with and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Okay? And Paul immediately defines it as not just the sword of the spirit. He says, which is the word of God. Jeff Ward: Yeah. And this is something Randy: And this is something Jeff Ward: that we that we could spend a lot of time on and we might spend a little more time on this. But this word here that's translated word is rhema. There's two primary Greek words that are translated word in English. One is logos, one is rhema. we can we can't get too Randy: that we that we could spend a lot of time on, and we might spend a little more time on this. But this word here that's translated word is rhema. There's two primary Greek words that are translated word in English. One is logos, one is rhema. we can we can't get too rigid in but at about the 75% level, because there's some overlap here. Logos is generally the written word and and and Jeff Ward: Rigid and but at about the seventy five percent level, because there's some overlap here. Logos is generally the written word. Yep. And and Rhema would be generally the spoken word. Yeah. The right now word. Okay, the one the the logos is something that is the word that has been prepared before us and that we dip into and we and we Randy: Rhema would be generally the spoken word, the right now word. Okay. The one the the logos is something that is the word that has been prepared before us and that we dip into and we and we Jeff Ward: soak ourselves in, if you will, daily. But rhema word is the is the right now word. It's the word that's ready for the fight. It's that sword drawn is the rhema word. Okay. Randy: soak ourselves in, if you will, daily. But Rhema word is the is the right now word. It's the word that's ready for the fight. It's that sword drawn, is the rhema word. Okay. I put here it means spoken, uttered, or expressed is this is this rhema word. God's truth is not merely sitting unopened in your Bible. It is if if it's there. It's not supposed to be put that way. But his word is known, believed, applied, and spoken into the situation. This is his spoken word. Who speaks his word? Well, it's you and I. It didn't say it it didn't say, I'll take up the sword. Jesus didn't come and say, I got the sword. He says, No, you take up the sword. And this is this is something that people have Jeff Ward: It is if if it's there. It's not supposed to be put that way. But his word is known, believed, applied, and spoken into the situation. This is his spoken word. Who speaks his word? Well, it's you and I. Right. It didn't say it it didn't say, I'll take up the sword. Yeah. J you know, Jesus didn't come and say, I got the sword. He says, No, you take up the sword. And this is this is something that people with Randy: will dog you on if you're not careful. The religious people of the world is is about speaking, Jeff Ward: will dog you on if you're not careful, the religious people of the world is is about speaking. speaking about it doesn't have it speaking has so much power. It is the sword and it is the word of God we're supposed to speak. I think I'm gonna cover this later but I'll I'll cut to it real quick. John fourteen twenty six Randy: about it doesn't have no speaking has so much power. It is the sword and it is the word of God we are supposed to speak. I think I'm gonna cover this later but I'll I'll cut to it real quick. John fourteen twenty six. Jeff Ward: We won't read it now. Maybe we'll read it when we come to it a second time. I'm jumping ahead here, so maybe I shouldn't. But John 14, 26 is Jesus speaking to his disciples, and he says this. He says in a couple of different places, hey, you're not ready for everything, but when the Holy Spirit comes, he'll teach you and lead you into all truth. I think that's John 16, 13, if I remember right. John 14, 26, he mentions it Randy: We won't read it now. Maybe we'll read it when we come to it the second time. I'm jumping ahead here, so maybe I shouldn't. But John 14, 26 is Jesus speaking to his disciples. And he says this. He says in a couple of different places, hey, you're not ready for everything, but when the Holy Spirit comes, he'll teach you and lead you into all truth. I think that's John 16 13, if I remember right. John 14 26, he mentions it. Jeff Ward: as well. But what he says is he says, This spirit, when he comes and lives within you, he will remind you of everything that I've taught. Randy: As well. But what he says is, he says, this spirit, when he comes and lives within you, he will remind you of everything that I have taught you. So here's the picture. The picture is that you and I store God's word in our heart by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, studying it daily, over and over and over. And we just take it all in and we're trying to absorb much of it is. But what we have this promise in John 14, 26, is that from that pool or that well of God's Jeff Ward: So here's the picture. The picture is that you and I store God's word in our heart by reading it, meditating on it, memorizing it, studying it daily, over and over and over. And we just take it all in and we're trying to absorb much of it is. But what we have this promise in John 14, 26 is that from that pool or that well of God's Randy: word Jeff Ward: word. Randy: for the right moment the Holy Spirit will pull the Rhema out. And he'll go, okay, here's the word that you've been storing in your heart. Here's the word that applies to this situation. Now speak it out. This is the will of God for this this situation and now speak it out. And we've talked about the covenants, this this would be on that. What's that? We can stand. We can stand on that and we speak it out. That's where Jeff Ward: For the right moment, the Holy Spirit will pull the Rhema out. Yeah. Here's the word that applies to this situation. Speak it out. This is the will of God for this this situation. And now speak it out. And we've talked about the covenants and we can stand on that. What's that? And we can stand on that. Randy: the power is. That's where it becomes the sword. It's not the sword stored in your heart and it's not the sword written in this book and you just close it up and put it on your shelf somewhere. It is the sword when it comes out of your mouth. Jeff Ward: that's where it becomes the sword. It's not the sword stored in your heart and it's not the sword written in this book and you just close it up, put it on your shelf somewhere. Yeah. It is the sword when it comes out of your mouth. Yep. Jesus does the same thing. Jesus Jesus destroys in the end of Revelation, he destroys the the armies just from the sword out of his mouth. Yeah. Is that a literal sword? No, it's the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. We're told in Psalms Randy: Jesus does the same thing. Jesus Jesus destroys in the end of Revelation, he destroys the the armies just from the sword out of his mouth. Is that a literal sword? No, it's the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. He's God. He speaks it. we're told in Psalms one seven, I think it's verse twenty, that that that angels react to Jeff Ward: one seven I think it's verse twenty that that that angels react to Randy: to the God's word. And then it said adds another thing. They react also to the voice of God's word. It is you and I that put voice to God's word. and that's what this this is talking about. in Matthew 4 verses 4, 7 and 8, Jesus three different times when he's confronting Satan, he says, it is written. He doesn't, he doesn't, even though he could and he's he's like the the world's Jeff Ward: to the God's word and then it adds nothing they react also to the voice of God's word it is you and I that put voice to God's word. Yeah and that's what this this is talking about. in Matthew four verses four seven and eight Jesus three different times when he's confronting Satan he says it is written he doesn't he doesn't even though he could and he's he's like the the world's Randy: highest genius times a gazillion. Jeff Ward: Highest genius times a gazillion, he just repeats truth back to Satan. Yeah. Satan comes at him with lies or with temptations, and he just says, It is written. Boom. Yeah. And he doesn't, he doesn't bargain with him. He doesn't try to win Satan over, and he doesn't try to win change his mind. He just says, Here's what God's word said. It is written. We can and should do that. Randy: He just repeats truth back to Satan. S Satan comes at him with lies or with temptations, and he just says, It is written. Boom. And he doesn't he doesn't bargain with him. He doesn't try to win Satan over and he doesn't try to win change his mind. He just says, Here's what God's word said. It is written. We can and should do that. and that's an example of him using this freshly spoken word of God. Jeff Ward: And that's an example of him using this freshly spoken word of God. Is that what Mary said back when she was told she was gonna have the Messiah? Mm-hmm. And she said, Yeah, may it be in accordance with your Rhema. Yeah. In accordance with your word. Or so it will be in accordance with your word. Yeah. She stood on that. Yeah. The freshly spoken word. Luke chapter one, verse thirty seven, Randy: Yeah. In accordance with your word. It will be in accordance with your word. Yeah. Yeah, that's Luke chapter one, verse thirty seven and thirty eight. Yeah, he says that sh she says, Be it be it unto me according to your Rhema. Jeff Ward: Yeah, says sh she says, Be it be it unto me according to your Rhema. That's right. According to this freshly spoken word. And what Gabriel said just before that, he said, With God's freshly spoken word comes the power to accomplish it. Yeah. And then from there, she she she agrees with she comes into full alignment with it. Randy: according to this freshly spoken word. And what Gabriel said just before that, he said, with God's freshly spoken word that comes the power to accomplish it. And then from there, she's she she agrees with she comes into full alignment with it. Jeff Ward: Yeah. And she is not speaking it of course. I mean, she's not claiming to be God. If you start speaking stuff, the religious people will start pointing all kinds of fingers at you. Randy: And she is not speaking it of course I mean she's not claiming to be God. If you start speaking stuff, the religious people will start pointing all kinds of fingers at you. Jeff Ward: That's not what anybody's saying. We're let's not be silly. What we're saying though, God's word is powerful. Right. And it becomes powerful through a covenant and through the Adam's covenant of Randy: That's not what anybody's saying. We're let's not be silly. What we're saying though, God's word is powerful and it becomes powerful through a covenant and through the Adam's covenant of that you and I are s and mankind is supposed to execute dominion over over creation. And then we speak that it's God's will and we speak it out loud. And there's a lot of things that can go there. I I can talk more about that. I will talk more about that, man, if you let me keep going. But anyway Jeff Ward: That you and I are s and mankind is supposed to execute dominion over over creation. And then we speak that. Yeah. it's God's will. And we speak it out loud. There's a lot of things that can go there. I I can talk more about that. I will talk more about that, man, if you let me keep going. But anyway, I might. I think I will. You might not so flip over to Hebrews four twelve and let's look at this double-edged sword here. Randy: You might. All right. So flip over to Hebrews four twelve and let's look at this double edged sword here. Jeff Ward: four twelve For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any double edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit and joints from marrow. It is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. Okay. Randy: Okay. Jeff Ward: What I was talking about with Jesus it is written, and when was talking about speaking, and we were talking about Mary agreeing with what Gabriel spoke. Randy: What I was talking about with Jesus, it is written, and when I was talking about speaking, and we're talking about Mary agreeing with what Gabriel spoke and all these things, that is us speaking off in an in a manner that's offensive. But also this is a slightly different. This is saying now God's word, which is this double edged sword, is able to divide between soul and spirit. Jeff Ward: And all these things that is us speaking off in an in a manner that's offensive. But also, this is a slightly different. This is saying now God's word, which is this double edged sword, is able to divide between soul and spirit. So we talked about one of the primary battlefields, not the not all of them, but not the only, but one of them is the mind. Okay. So it's able to divide between soul and spirit. Our souls are mind. Randy: So we talked about one of the primaries battlefields, not the not all of them, but not the only, but one of them is the mind, okay? So it's able to divide between soul and spirit. Our soul is our mind, Jeff Ward: mindwillen emotions for short let's call that our intellect and then our spirit our spirit is is the real us it is the part that's gonna go on forever Randy: will, and emotions. For short, let's call that our intellect. And then our spirit. Our spirit is is the real us. It is the part that's gonna go on forever. Jeff Ward: and it is the part that is joined as one with Jesus Christ that's first Corinthians six seventeen so the spirit of Christ and our spirit are joined as one this is the source of truth okay the problem is in your mind Randy: And it is the part that is joined as one with Jesus Christ. That's First Corinthians six, seventeen. So the spirit of Christ and our spirit are joined as one. This is the source of truth. Okay. The problem is in your mind, Jeff Ward: truth Randy: Truth has the same sounding voice as a lie, has the same sounding voice as your own thoughts, your intellect. This is where the God's word is able to divide. Is this coming from my intellect, or is this coming from my spirit, which is joined to the spirit of Christ, or is it coming from another spirit? Okay. That's what the word of God is. It helps us turn determine when we have this thought. Jeff Ward: Has the same sounding voice as a lie, has the same sounding voice as your own thoughts, your intellect. This is where the God's word is able to divide. Is this coming from my intellect, or is this coming from my spirit, which is joined to the spirit of Christ, or is it coming from another spirit? Okay, that's what the word of God is. It helps us turn determine when we have this thought. Randy: I put here that word does not merely attack something external, it also exposes what is happening inside us. So is this thought from God, yes or no? The God's word will help. Well help you determine. Is this fear consistent with God's word? Is this accusation consistent with the gospel? Is this temptation presenting something as desirable that God calls destructive? The word separates truth from deception. The spirit and the word work together. so anyway. Jeff Ward: But here, the word does not merely attack something external, it also exposes what is happening inside us. So is this thought from God? Yes or no? But God's word will help, will help you determine. Is this fear consistent with God's word? Is this accusation consistent with the gospel? Is this temptation presenting something as desirable that God calls destructive? The word separates truth from deception. The spirit and the word work together. so anyway. Randy: now here's where I gotta catch up most because John 14, 26, I'll just quote it. did we go read it? I don't think we did. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. This is Jesus speaking there. And then in yeah, and so this the spirit is the one that will bring this back, bring these to mind. and so that we can draw this sword and use it appropriately. Jeff Ward: now here's where I catch up most because John 14, 26, I'll just quote it. did we go read it? I don't think we did. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. This is Jesus speaking there. And then in yeah, and so this the Spirit is the one that will bring this back bring these to mind. and so that we can draw this sword and use it appropriately. Randy: I've quoted this a few times by reading again. For the weapons of our warfare are not, this is 2 Corinthians 10, 4 through 5. For the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. So, so our battle is against arguments, against knowledge and thoughts. And keep in mind, these are in strongholds. A stronghold is a fortified position, it is a position. Jeff Ward: Quoted this a few times by reading in, for the weapons of our warfare are not, this is Second Corinthians 10, 4 through 5. For the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant osp obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. So so our battle is against arguments, against knowledge and thoughts. And keep in mind, these are in strongholds. A stronghold is a fortified position, it is a position Randy: That Jeff Ward: that That those inside can defend themselves. So this lie or this argument or this knowledge that is a demonic stronghold can defend itself. And that sounds weird. Well, what I mean by that. Randy: those inside can defend themselves. So this lie or this argument or this knowledge that is a demonic stronghold can defend itself. And that sounds weird. But what I mean by that, I heard somebody say, Well, the truth will set you free, but it'll make you mad first. Jeff Ward: I heard somebody say, Well, j the truth will set you free, but it'll make you mad first. We need to we need to open our minds a little bit and be open to the fact that we may have a lie that's within a stronghold that's going to take a lot to get out of it. Proverbs tells us that there's a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Well, so what is this thing that seems right to a man that leads to death? That's a lie. So, yeah, the truth will set you free, but at first it's going to contradict the lie that you've held on to. The lie that that through Randy: We need to we need to open our minds a little bit and be open to the fact that we may have a lie that's within a stronghold that's going to take a lot to get out of it. Proverbs tells us that there's a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Well, so what is this thing that seems right to a man that leads to death? That's a lie. So yeah, the truth will set you free, but at first it's going to contradict the lie that you've held on to. The lie that that through Jeff Ward: re repetition and your believing is a deeply held lie. That deeply held lie must Randy: repetition and your believing is a deeply held lie. That deeply held lie must be rooted out by the truth, which is the sword of the spirit or one of the functions of the sword of the spirit to root that out within you. And we need to be okay with going, yeah, that offends me. If it offends you, if something that something is t if in in the word of God is offending you, that's an identification of a stronghold and a lie. And you need to work through that and tear it down Jeff Ward: be rooted out by the truth, which is the sword of the spirit or one of the functions of the sword of the spirit to root that out within you. And we need to be okay with going, Yeah, that offends me. If it offends you, if something that something is t if in in the word of God is offending you, that's an identification of a stronghold and a lie. And you need to work through that and tear it down. Randy: with the weapons of God's truth and tear it down and and You'll be free. we had these defensive weapons that we've most recently talked about is the helmet of salvation. Then we had this offensive weapon, which is the sword of the spirit. Jeff Ward: We have these defensive weapons that we've most recently talked about is the helmet of salvation. Then we have this offensive weapon, which is the sword of the spirit. And then it says praying in the spirit and praying at all times. And then he goes back and says and he gives them what he wants them to pray for them. So those are our exam z the sword of the spirit, what we speak and what we say, and then what we pray and how we pray. Randy: And then he says praying in the spirit and praying at all times. And then he goes back and says, and he gives them what he wants them to pray for them. So those are our exam z the sword of the spirit, what we speak and what we say, and then what we pray and how we pray, which there's obviously some overlap there, is is are really the two offensive places. but So I put here, Ephesians 6.17 describes a believer whose mind is guarded by the reality of salvation and whose hand is armed with the word of God. You could back that out and go all the way back to where we started in this section in Romans six and add the the belt of truth and and peace and faith and and those things and and righteousness that we've already talked about. So we have all that as our guard and we have and we take up the word of God, but we are to take it up. We are to speak God's word. so I put here we do not fight trying to become victorious enough to earn a place in Christ. Ephesians, this whole book has already established our position before it ever describes the warfare. Jeff Ward: So, up here, we do not fight trying to become victorious enough to earn a place in Christ. Ephesians, this whole book has already established our position before it ever describes the warfare. We stand because God has blessed us in Christ, He has redeemed us, sealed us, made us alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ. And now Ephesians 6 talks about standing firm in that, taking up all these implements of armor we talked about, and then taking up the sword of the Spirit. Randy: We stand because God has blessed us in Christ. He has redeemed us, sealed us, made us alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ. And now Ephesians 6 talks about standing firm in that, taking up all these implements of armor we talked about, and then taking up the sword of the Spirit. And I just concluded that little section with it is written. Jeff Ward: And I just included that little section with it is written.