2024-02-24
Efesiërs 6:13 NLV
Kom ons kyk na die volgende drie stukke geestelike wapenrusting wat God vir ons voorsien om in oorwinning te lewe:
1) ‘Dra onder alle omstandighede die skild van die geloof…’ (vers 16 NLV). Hoekom? ‘…Dit kan al die brandpyle blus wat die Bose afskiet’ (vers 16 NLV). Onthou jy die ou westerse flieks waar daar gevegte tussen inheemse Amerikaanse Indiane en nedersetters was? Die nedersetters het hulle waens in ‘n sirkel getrek en die Indiane het vlammende pyle soontoe geskiet. Jy kan nie terselfdertyd brande en vyande bestry nie; vlammende pyle is ‘n afleiding. Satan gebruik dieselfde taktiek. Geloof (deur op God se Woord te fokus), blus egter daardie brandpyle.
2) ‘Gebruik God se verlossing as ‘n helm…’ (vers 17 NLV). Die helm beskerm jou gedagtes. Wanneer Satan fluister: ‘As jy regtig ‘n Christen was, sou jy nie…’ kan jy sy aanvalle afweer deur jou identiteit in Christus te ken – ‘n bloedgekoopte, vergewe, regverdige, hemelgebonde kind van God.
3) ‘Gebruik… as swaard, die Gees, dit is God se woord’ (vers 17 NLV). ‘Die woord van God’ waarna hier verwys word, is nie logos (die geskrewe woord) nie, maar rhéma, wat ‘uitspraak’ beteken. Dit beteken dat jy God se Woord moet spreek om Satan te verslaan; om die regte Skrifgedeelte op die regte tyd te gebruik om die probleem te hanteer. Dis hoekom Satan so met jou baklei dat jy nie jou Bybel moet lees nie. Drie keer het hy Jesus in die woestyn aangeval en drie keer het Jesus geantwoord: ‘Daar staan in die Skrif geskryf’ (sien Matteus 4:4-10). Hy het Satan met die Skrif verslaan. Die Duiwel kan nog met jou stry, maar hy het geen verdediging teen die Woord van God nie. Memoriseer dus die Skrif en gebruik dit as ‘n wapen om hom te verslaan.
Sielskos: 1 Kon 8-9; Matt 16:13-28; Ps 40:1-8; Spr 6:1-5
Ephesians 6:13 NLT
Let’s look at the next three pieces of spiritual armor God has provided for us to live victoriously:
(1) “You will need faith as your shield” (v. 16 TLB). For what? “To stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan” (v. 16 TLB). Do you remember in the old western movies the battles between Native American Indians and the settlers? The settlers circled the wagons, and the Indians shot flaming arrows into them. They both understood that you can’t fight fires and fight foes at the same time; flaming arrows are a distraction. Satan uses the same tactic. But faith (focusing on God’s Word) snuffs out those flaming arrows.
(2) “Put on salvation as your helmet” (v. 17 NLT). This helmet protects your mind. When Satan whispers, “If you were really a Christian, you wouldn’t have… ,” you repel his attacks by knowing your identity in Christ – a blood-bought, totally forgiven, seen-as-righteous, heaven-bound child of God.
(3) “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17 NLT). “The word of God” referred to here isn’t logos (the written word) but rhéma, which means “utterance.” It calls for speaking God’s Word to defeat Satan; utilizing the right Scripture at the right time to deal with the problem. That’s why Satan fights you so hard over Bible reading. Three times he attacked Jesus in the wilderness, and three times Jesus answered, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4-10 KJV). He demolished Satan with Scripture! The Devil can outargue you, but he has no defense against the Word of God. So, memorize the Scriptures, and use them as a weapon to defeat him.
Soul food: 1 Kings 8-9; Matt 16:13-28; Ps 40:1-8; Prov 6:1-5
2024-02-23
Efesiërs 6:11 NLV
Elke dag van jou lewe sal jy die wêreld, die vlees en die Duiwel beveg. Om gewapen vir geestelike oorlogvoering te wees, gee Paulus ons ses spesifieke stukke geestelike wapenrusting. Hier is die eerste drie:
Die stewige ‘…waarheid as ‘n gordel om julle heupe…’ (vers 14 NLV). Gedurende die Tweede Wêreldoorlog het ‘n vliegtuig baie kilometers verby sy bestemming gevlieg. Hoekom? Omdat die bemanning, wat nie besef het dat die wind baie sterk was nie, geweier het om die kajuit-instrumente te glo. Gevolglik het almal aan boord omgekom. Toe die vliegtuig jare later gevind is, was die instrumente egter in perfekte werkende toestand. Jy kan op God se Woord staatmaak om jou op die regte pad te lei.
2) ‘…God se vryspraak as borsharnas…’ (vers 14 NLV). Let wel, dis God se vryspraak, nie jou eie nie. Jy word nie gered deur op jou eie optrede te vertrou nie, maar deur op Christus se daad aan die kruis te vertrou. Wanneer jy dit weet, word God se vryspraak ‘n borsharnas wat jou hart van twyfel oor jou verlossing beskerm (sien 2 Korintiërs 5:21).
3) ‘Trek die… vrede… aan soos skoene aan julle voete’ (Efesiërs 6:15 NLV). Skoene dui aan dat jy êrens heen op pad is, moet dus nie verwag om van God te hoor as jy vasbeslote is om op dieselfde plek te bly nie. Wanneer jy begin vorentoe beweeg, sal Hy die regte rigting bevestig deur jou ‘n sin van vrede te gee (sien Kolossense 3:15). Jy sal dan weet dat jy op die regte pad is. As jy nie vrede daaroor het nie, raadpleeg God vir leiding. God wil hê dat jy ‘n blywende gevoel van sy vrede moet hê – moet dus nie daarsonder gaan nie.
Sielskos: 1 Kon 6-7; Matt 16:1-12; Ps 36; Spr 5:21-23
Ephesians 6:11 NLT
Every day you live, you will battle the world, the flesh, and the Devil. In order to be armed for spiritual warfare, Paul gives us six specific pieces of spiritual armor. Here are the first three:
(1) The sturdy “belt of truth” (v. 14 NLT). During World War II, a plane flew many miles past its destination. Why? Because the crew, not realizing there were such strong tailwinds, refused to believe the cockpit instruments. As a result, everyone on board perished. Yet when the plane was found years later, the instruments were still in perfect working order. You can depend on God’s Word to guide you right. Read it daily and believe it no matter what your mind or emotions tell you.
(2) “The body armor of God’s righteousness” (v. 14 NLT). Note, it is God’s righteousness, not yours. You’re not saved by trusting your own performance but by trusting Christ’s performance on the cross. When you know that, God’s righteousness becomes the breastplate that protects your heart from doubts about your salvation (See 2 Corinthians 5:21).
(3) “For shoes, put on… peace” (Ephesians 6:15 NLT). Shoes indicate you’re going somewhere, so don’t expect to hear from God if you’re determined to remain frozen in the same spot. When you start moving ahead, He confirms the rightness of your direction by giving you a sense of peace (See Colossians 3:15). You “know in your knower” that you’re on the right track. When you don’t have peace about it, seek God for direction. This is particularly important if you’re a self-starter who loves what you do. God wants you to have an abiding sense of His peace – so, don’t go without it.
Soul food: 1 Kings 6-7; Matt 16:1-12; Ps 36; Prov 5:21-23
2024-02-22
John 20:25 NLT
John writes: “Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.’ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them… Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas exclaimed” (vv. 24-28 NLT).
Jesus picked a doubter to be His disciple. And when he doubted, Jesus didn’t denounce and dismiss him. He actually put in a special appearance to resolve his doubts and build his faith. Elisabeth Elliott said, “True faith only goes into operation when there are no answers.”
God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8 KJV). The truth is, God doesn’t think like us. He sees the big picture, and He works toward a specific end. Jesus said, “I have many more things to say… but they are too much for you now” (John 16:12 NCV). So when you find yourself doubting, pray: “Lord, believing isn’t easy when I’m hurt and confused, and You are silent. Like Thomas, I want proof that you love me. Help me to see beyond my desire for peace and comfort, beyond my doubts and unanswered questions, and to grasp the truth of Your unfailing love and grace.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 3-5; Matt 15:15-39; Ps 33:13-22; Prov 5:15-20
