Spirit Led Living

Answer:   The apostle Paul believed that our struggle is against spiritual forces of wickedness. He wrote to the Ephesians   "For our struggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12 NRSV)   "For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan stopped us." (1 Thess 2:18) Paul's perspective concerning this spiritual battle was remarkable. He knew where the real battle had to be fought. On the spiritual level. But he never became paranoid about our spiritual enemy whose very nature keeps us from seeing him directly. Paul recognized the enemy's presence through spiritual discernment given to him by the Holy Spirit. He was   able to detect the enemy's activity in the circumstances he encountered. Paul was also able to draw upon his source of stre...

Ascetics View of Fasting But the ascetic tendency in the early Church led to reliance on fasting, etc., as not only helps to, but substitutes for, the inward and spiritual life. The theory which placed the origin and seat of sin in the body also tended to give value to the practice of fasting. It came at last to be considered as an effectual means grace or of securing forgiveness of sin. (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) Some of this is viewed in some early translations of the Bible such as the KJV and the Septuagint which added “and fasting” to verses were it was not present in the earlier documents. An example of this is: Matt 17:21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."   (NKJV) True Fasting Isa 58:3-9 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' ...

Spiritual Warfare Starts with Prayer and Fasting Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Calvin on Fasting “Holy and legitimate fasting is directed to three ends, for we practice it either as a restraint on the flesh , to preserve it from licentiousness , or as a preparation for prayers or pious meditations, or as a testimony of our humiliation in the presence of God, when we are desirous of confessing our guilt before him. So we are to understand what Luke says of Anna, that 'she served God with fastings and prayers.' For he does not place the worship of God in fasting, ...

Praying and Fasting Spiritual Warfare is not a game that should be entered into lightly.   Its outcome is completely dependent on our relationship with God and our dependence on His power.   It is not something to be entered into in our own strength or wisdom.   If we do, the demons will laugh in our face.   Worse yet, we will suffer the consequences in our flesh. Acts 19:13-16 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15[One day] the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know , and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Levels of Authority Many people in ...

Old Testament vs. New Testament “Fear of the Lord” In the Old Testament the people of Israel had a different relationship with God than we do. Let’s not forget that only one or two people in a generation were anointed with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, their relationship with their God was more distant as it was mediated through the High Priest and/or the prophets. Their fear of the Lord was a more literal fear with the sense of His wrath and punishment posing a more immediate threat. Ps 119:120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws. There was an unvarnished fear that if His Law was not kept, His retribution was severe and swift. After Christ’s work of atonement and specifically after the Day of Pentecost when God’s Spirit was made available to all who call upon His name, the nature of the relationship changes. God can be “known” in an experiential and intimate way. In the New Testament dread, or fear of God in the lower sense, is removed; He...

New Testament words for fear The New Testament words for fear are eulabeia , to act with caution; phobos from which we get the English word phobia, which means an unnatural and overwhelming fear; deilia which is timidity; and ekphobos which is to be frightened out of one’s senses. Where does fear come from? Fear is a natural consequence of sin. Gen 3:10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." Prov 28:1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Fear also comes as a punishment. Gen 4:13-14 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." Deut 28:25-26 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, a...

Old Testament words for fear One of the words for fear, Yir’ah (Hebrew) means reverence and awe. In this sense, fear is a good thing. Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. "Fear is a natural and, in its purpose, beneficent feeling, arising in the presence or anticipation of danger, and moving to its avoidance; it is also awakened in the presence of superiors and of striking manifestations of power, etc., taking the form of awe or reverence.” (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft) My father believed in corporal discipline. There were clearly set parameters and I knew if I stepped over the line and got caught I was going to get a spanking. He wasn’t abusive, and it wasn’t often but when I pushed things too far I would get punished. I can remember a handful of times in my life when I got spanked. I clearly remember the last time. ...