Spiritual Combatants

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1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV) - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1. There are many compartments in our lives.

Many Christians view their lives as train compartments. One compartment represents their home life; work; and church, etc. As many compartments that are in their lives, there are just as many rules that govern their conduct between them.

In the compartment of our home life, we act according to our upbringing and our position in the home. We may lead based upon the best knowledge we have available (from experience and the world) and move from there. We live, lead, and love by the standards of our own history and standard. Because the home is closed to the outside world (unless you welcome people over), you will often be the most ‘loose’ with your mouth and behavior than in any other compartment.

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Psalm 37:4 (KJV) - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

To delight in something is to be happy about it; take exquisite delight; to make merry over, or make sport of.¹ Within this writing, we take notice to the delight that is in the Lord, but there is another delight that affects the hearts and souls of men.

There are but two delights man can place their hearts upon. To witness these two delights, we can go no further than to the beginning with Adam and Eve. The Lord created the heavens and earth. They have been dressed and arrayed to His good pleasure. The man was created out of the dust of the ground and the woman out of one of his ribs. She was to be a helpmeet to share a common purpose, to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over ever living thing that moves upon the earth (Genesis 2:29).

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Ephesians 5:1-4 (KJV) - Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

In our society today, we are bombarded with fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, jesting, and foolish talk. Most of the time, we have to look no further than our television and other media outlets to be filled with such things. We are immersed in sinful acts on a daily basis and it becomes as entertainment.

We often look to be entertained with media in these same areas ‘dressed’ as comedy, drama, murder mystery, and news. We receive so much of these outlets, that their existence in and around us no longer shock us. We’ve become accustomed to sin.

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Psalm 34:8 (KJV) - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

There are times when we are offered sample foods or products or ask someone to try (or taste) something they have. When we try (or taste) the particular item, we then make a determination on whether we want more for ourselves. The same occurrence happens for those in the Lord.

Taste and See

When a person is first introduced to the Lord, they enter into a trial period. Many will wonder what Christianity is about and learn more about God. Sometimes they have no idea what to expect when they come across the church doors or meet other Christians. They are coming for a taste.

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Acts 6:1-7 (KJV) - And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Grecian widows were being neglected in the daily ministration. They had a need that wasn't being met, so they addressed it. When the murmuring of the Grecian widows came to the attention of the twelve, the called the multitude of disciples unto them to discuss the matter further.

As we continue to read, we will discover that as the Grecian widows had a need, so did the twelve apostles.

1. The twelve had their priorities straight. After bringing the people together, the twelve told them that it was not for them to leave the word of God to serve tables. Prior to Jesus' ascension, He gave them a command (or commission) to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...(Matthew 28:19-20). This was their greatest priority at this moment. They were intent on fulfilling Jesus' command.