Spiritual Combatants

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Matthew 5:1-12 (KJV) - And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

After Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Jesus taught in the synagogues of Galilee and His fame grew throughout Syria. He healed the sick, diseased, and those possessed with devils. People from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan followed Him.

As Jesus saw the multitudes, He went up into a mountain and taught His disciples as they came to Him. As He began, He gave nine blessings. In many circles, these nine blessings are referred as the Beatitudes. The word Beatitude is Latin for blessings.

The Beatitudes represent the character traits/behaviors that one attains on earth to enter eternal life (the kingdom of heaven). Each ‘blessing’ represents personal attributes rather than something to be accomplished corporately.

These nine attributes are one. It is not for a person to be poor in spirit, yet have an impure heart or lack mercy. Those that enter into the kingdom of heaven will possess all nine attributes.

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1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (KJV) - Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

As the Lord calls us unto Himself, we are given specific gifts of the Spirit of His choosing. We often have no say in the gift we receive, nor any indication on when it will be given unto us (1 Corinthians 12:11, 18). As we receive the gift(s) of the Spirit, there are several things we should understand:

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Psalm 16:11 (KJV) - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

In reading Psalm 16, David writes a michtam (or poem). This poem is written from Jesus unto His Father. God is speaking of His Son in Psalm 16:8. Psalm 16:11 explains how in the Lord’s presence is the fullness of joy. As Jesus sits upon the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Romans 8:34), He is eternally in the Lord’s presence. For those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life, they too will experience an eternity with the Lord (Revelation 21:3). In that time, God will wipe away our tears, and we will experience no death, sorrow, crying, or any pain (Revelation 21:4). That time will be joyous in deed.

But what about us on the earth? Is there a way we can experience the same joy?

An eternal time in His presence will come (Revelation 20:4), but we can experience His joy on earth as well. Let’s review several ways this is possible:

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Numbers 21:4-5 (KJV) - And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

As the children of Israel journeyed, they became discouraged. Then the people spoke against Moses concerning their journey out of Egypt and their lack of bread and food. They said they loathed the light bread (manna) being given unto to them. From there, the Lord sent fiery snakes among the people and many people died. In His mercy after Moses' intercession, the Lord instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent on a pole so that those that were bit could look at it and live (Numbers 21:7-9).

In viewing their circumstances, here are six things we can learn:

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Luke 10:38-42 (KJV) - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

When Jesus came to Martha’s house, she was cumbered (driven mentally, over occupied, distracted)6 about serving. Her sister Mary was also at her house and helped her serve for a time, but left to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His word. In time, Martha came to Jesus and desired Jesus to say something for Mary to help her again. Jesus told Martha that she was careful and troubled over many things, but Mary had chosen that good part and it would not be taken from her.

From the discourse between Martha and Mary, we can learn what the good part is for our lives. There are many right things we can do, but they can also distract us from seeing and accomplishing the good part.

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Proverbs 19:11 (KJV) - The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

There are some situations that make us very upset. When confronted, we can consider many ways to handle the situation. If we are using discretion, we would defer our anger, but in a lot of cases people choose to address the situation (especially situations where we feel wronged).

In those situations, we want to address the problem to bring correction, confrontation (just for the sake of it), or to be right. We would want the other people to know not to mess with us, to prove them wrong, or accomplish some other purpose not founded in love.

1. A person of good discretion (understanding, prudence, insight) will defer their anger. In the situations where we feel wronged, anger is one of the emotions that fuel our intentions. We are upset that we’ve been confronted, embarrassed, treated wrongly, etc.

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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 like train compartments. One compartment may represent their home life; another compartment is for work; and church, etc. Each compartment carries its own set of rules, standards, and behaviors.

In the compartment of our home life (for example), we may act according to our upbringing and our position in the home. We may lead based upon the best knowledge we have available (from experience in the world). 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 as well.

There are but two delights a person can place their hearts upon. To witness the first delight, we can go to the beginning with Adam and Eve. The Lord created the heavens and earth. They have been dressed and arrayed according 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).

They had everything they needed. Their provisions were met. Their place of residence was dressed by the Lord (Genesis 2:8). They lived without the knowledge of sin or evil. Their hearts and minds were pure. They lived naked without shame (Genesis 2:25). They had communion with the Lord in the garden. We can say they had it all.

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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 friends, television, and other media outlets to be filled with such things. Sadly however, we often consider these areas as comedy, drama, murder mystery - having a good time. 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 want to try (or taste) someone else has. When we try (or taste) the particular item, we 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.’ They may wonder what Christianity is about and desire to learn more about God. Sometimes they have no idea what to expect when they come to church or meet other Christians. They are coming for a taste.