Declaring God’s word is an important aspect of spiritual warfare.
To declare, confess or preach God’s word is a scriptural concept throughout the Bible. It is the literal use of the sword of the Spirit used in offensive warfare.
To declare in Hebrew is nâgad which means to announce out of the mouth. This can be done in various ways. Such as making a decree or prediction of what God is going to do, (a forth telling prophecy) to praise or declare who God is, what he has done and what he will do, to expound upon a revealed word or message God has given, to profess or testify, to make a report or declare God’s message or to prophecy.
The term confess (homologeō) is used in the New Testament. This means to declare, give thanks or praise, to make a legal declaration.
To preach in the New Testament is euaggelizō, which means to declare, to announce, bring forth God’s message.
All this must be uttered through the mouth to be a declaration but that declaration can be written down as a testament or legal documentation.
We can see this spiritual principal operating in the book of Genesis when God created everything.
Notice that in Genesis Chapter 1: 1 that darkness was on the face of the deep. Some Bible scholars believe that a chaotic event occurred in which God had to create the earth from out of a place of darkness but whatever that may or may not be, what we do know is that darkness was there in the beginning of creation.
Out of that darkness God’s Holy Spirit began to move and then God said “let there be light” and then there was light.
Notice how God’s Spirit had to move first before God spoke. Many times Christians or those claiming to be Christians want to declare their word. Then they hope it will come to pass if they just say it enough.
In order for God’s word to bring forth life it must be initiated by the Holy Spirit. This may come through divine inspiration but it can also come by declaring what God has already said in his written word.
Keep in mind though that because God is perfect and he adheres to all his spiritual principles, his word spoken out of his mouth will always come to pass.
However out of someone else’s mouth many times there are conditions to the fulfillment of God’s word. Some examples from the Bible are, “If my people shall…if you are willing and obedient…if you go and sin no more…if you open wide your mouth…if you give then it will be given to you,” and many more.
(1 John 5:14, Isaiah 1:19, Roman’s 8:13, Ephesians 4: 27-30, John 8:11, luke 6:38)
A divinely inspired utterance through the mouth of a child of God will come to pass if conditions are met. These conditions are set out in scriptures.
There are times however when the Holy Spirit will move on someone to say…”This is what I am going to do or I will do.”
Every time you hear the word” I AM GOING TO” Then most probably that word is straight up with no conditions attached. The person bringing the word may be an imperfect vessel speaking the word of God but still that word will come to pass if it’s a Holy Spirit word.
God declared his word into the darkness in order to create the natural realm. His said, “Let there be light.” In other words he declared or made a decree.
God’s word declared into a dark situation can change the situation. With faith in God’s inspired word life will be brought forth out of the darkness .
In John 1 it says that in the beginning was the word. God’s word was made flesh. God declared his word into the natural realm through Jesus Christ.
Jesus also declared God’s word to the devil, “It is written!” he said.
After Jesus rose from the dead he commissioned his people to declare his word into the natural realm. (Luke 9:60, Acts 16:10, Galatians 1:16, 2 Timothy 4:2)
By declaring God’s word into the darkness of this world we are agreeing with what God says about a situation and if God said it then his word will come to pass. ( Isaiah 43:26)
Many times people want to know God’s will for their life and how to get help for their problems but they have no faith or trust in God’s word. They run around to counselors, prophets and even secular so called experts but they don’t realize that God said in the Bible that HE has given us everything that pertains to LIFE and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)
God does and can use prophets, teachers and even secular people at times to help us but if we are living on just that then we are not going to live victorious in Jesus Christ. We are then chronically dependent on another person’s walk with God. (Ephesians 4:12, 1 Peter 2:2)
We can’t survive on just ice cream! Running to meeting sand conferences all the time to get a spiritual pill to see us through. It’s nice here and there but God wants us to drink the milk of his word, eat his bread, drink his wine and even go on to chew a steak!
God’s word spoken through our mouth has the power to change our life! If we believe his word then we will have what we say or declare into the darkness of this present world! (Mark 11:23)
Speak God’s word into your dark situation and believe that his promises are yes and amen. Light will surely come by Holy Spirit power and change your life!
The Bible says that Satan is a thief. He will try to steal your blessings, your calling, your destiny and whatever else he can get his hands on. Mathew 6:19,20
How does he do this? The main way is exactly what he tried to do to Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness. Get your eyes off of God’s word and onto your self and your circumstances. (Matthew 4)
As long as we are like the disciples looking at the storm we will be afraid. As long as we look at how big the giants are in our life we will be afraid. (Luke 8 & Numbers 13)
Satan’s demons will try to make us question God’s love for us. They will steal our faith and our victory if we give them just one inch.
So what happens if I waver? What happens if I have listened to Satan’s lies? What happens if I let my guard down and got a demonic punch in the gut? Is there hope for me?
Peter walked with Jesus. He knew him intimately and yet he took his eyes off of the miracles and the intimacy he had with Jesus and put his eyes on the persecution coming for him. He faltered. He failed. He blew it. (Luke 22)
Peter needed a breakthrough. What does it mean to get a breakthrough?
Breakthrough in warfare means an offensive military assault that penetrates and carrys beyond enemy lines.
Breakthrough also means an act of moving through or over an obstacle.
Break through can mean a sudden advancement in knowledge or success.
When we get into unbelief and look at our troubling situation we in effect are denying the word. Just like Peter did. We are saying, “I don’t know you.”
That sounds harsh doesn’t it? But it’s TRUE. When we don’t believe that Jesus is the great I am, that he is exalted above all, has the power to defeat sin and every demonic power against us we in effect are denying him.
Scriptures say that those who KNOW their God will do great and mighty exploits. (Daniel 11:32)
To be victorious over the devil and his deception we must believe that Jesus is who he says he is. LORD OVER ALL. (Philippians 2)
Lord over the wind and the sea. Able to command the very powers of the air to be still. Able to lift us above our circumstance and into heavenly places with him. Seated with him in his athourity and power far above demonic powers. (Ephesians 2)
When we turn our eyes back on Jesus Christ the God of the breakthrough will release for us a breaking forth into a new level of faith. A new level of intimacy with him so that we may know him and the power of his resurrection. (Philippians 3)
When we fellowship with his suffering, for he has being tempted like us and harangued by the devil like us he is able to come to the rescue and secure those who are tempted like he was. (Hebrews 2:18)
God the Father broke through death for Jesus because he put his trust completely in the Father. (Acts 17)
Circumstances looked pretty glum for Jesus but he knew who his Father was. He knew the fellowship of intimacy he had with the Father. Jesus knew that the Father would not forsake him.
Jesus got his breakthrough into resurrection life. The Father beat death. He cast down Satan’s power and overthrew Satan’s kingdom. He destroyed the power of sin, death and the grave. (2 Timothy 1)
What does it mean for us get a break through? (2 Samuel 5:20)
When the powers of darkness attack we turn our eyes on Jesus the author and finnisher of our faith. We then call on the Lord to come to our rescue! Help Lord I’m being shaken in this boat! The storm is raging about me BUT I know you are greater! I know you will come through for me. I put my eyes on you! I look to your greatness! You are Lord over this storm in my life! You will speak it to be still!
Breaking through to the Lord is seeking Him for the victory. Ex. 19:21
When we seek God in prayer for a breakthrough he will rend open the heavens to give us a breakthrough.
Jesus is our victor. His victory becomes our victory!
We will break forth by his Holy Spirit power into his light. With a new understanding. A new revelation of his grace.
We will breakthrough into a fresh manifestation of his presence! Into a new beginning with greater victory from faith to faith and from glory to glory. (Roman’s 1:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18)
The God of the breakthrough will always be available to those who call upon him to save them out of all their trouble. (Psalm 18:6)
My Words are Spirit and Life John 6:63 Word of God Gods Word Spirit and Life
“My words are Spirit and they are life” John 3:23
Jesus revealed that the words he spoke into the natural realm originated from the spiritual realm. He said that his words quicken or make alive. Jesus was in fact God’s word made flesh. He personified in human form the very life giving words of God to humanity. (John 3:34)
The flesh according to Jesus gives no profit. That means that the natural man cannot bring life. It is only the Holy Spirit that can give life!
Human ability, human resources and human words cannot bring any one life giving benefit. This is because of the sin nature residing in the hearts of the unsaved. Sin can only bring about corruption.
Humans can have a form of knowledge and a form of life but corruption will ultimately in the end be the final outcome of all human endeavors.
Jesus was trying to tell us the way to life. Not only eternal life but abundant life while we are in the earth. HIS words alone have the power ability to create life.
“My words are Spirit and they are life. ” John 3:23
Jesus wants us to have abundant life. This abundant life comes from HIS word. God creates his life in our lives by his word.
When we mediate on God’s word, pray God’s word, declare God’s word and sing God’s word life will be produced. That is why Satan twists God’s word, lies about God’s word and denies the power of God’s word.
Satan knows that if we get a hold of this revelation his deception will be shattered and we will become over comers! (John 10:10)
Jesus said MY WORDS ARE SPIRIT And THEY ARE AND LIFE. Now if the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us then the same Spirit living in us can quicken our mortal body and make it alive unto God! Alive eternally and alive now! Alive with God’s life and liberty in Christ Jesus.
According to Proverbs 18:21 Our words can bring life or death. Words that are negative, filled with unbelief, and cursing bring non life or corruption but God’s word in our heart and in our mouth will produce life and life abundantly.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Jesus said in scriptures that, “if my words abide in you then you shall have whatever you ask for. ” John 15:7
God’s word alone can bless us in this life.
How does this life giving process come about? Jesus said FIRST the seed. God’s word is described as a seed. It can even be as small as a mustard seed which is very small. Seeds take time to germinate. They need sufficient water and an appropriate environment.
Then the blade grows. Sprouting occurs! Small miracles start to take place. Then with constant care the word will flower! Every one will see the evidence of God’s word in your life!
Lastly, the fruit appears. Small and green at first but again with proper care it will ripen! When the fruit from God’s word appears in our life then that is when others can partake of the goodness of the Lord through our testimony!
“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
God’s word has life giving power to produce abundant fruit and keep us from corruption!
When we put God’s word in our heart, mediate on it, pray it and declare it then it will produce life and that more abundantly.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Cain was Adam and Eve’s first born son. Cain symbolically represents the law. The law was given by Moses to show men that they are sinners in need of a Savior because no one can keep the law perfectly. Under the Old Testament animal sacrifice was required to cover sin but could not take away sin.
The law was given before Jesus became the sacrifice for sin once and for all. The law was a temporary restrainer of sin but has no power to defeat sin.
CAIN MEANS SPEAR, or a possession. A spear pierces the flesh. It cuts through the heart.
The sting or piercing of sin under the law brings death. The law does not bring life because no one can keep the law in its entirety. All are condemned to eternal separation from God who try to keep the law for justification. (right relationship with God)
ABEL was born after Cain. ABEL means breath of the Spirit. ABEL represents life in the Holy Spirit. Jesus brought life through his atonement for sin and his resurrection.
CAIN was a tiller of the ground. Tiller in Hebrew is abad. It means to work or serve like a bondsman. The ground represents earth or of this natural world.
ABEL was a keeper of sheep. Grace keeps God’s sheep justified from sin through Jesus Christ the Savior. ABEL represents God’s grace. (undeserved mercy)
CAIN brought before the Lord his offering. An offering symbolizes atonement for sin. In other words, Cain brought the works of his hands which he produced from the earth or the rudiments of this world, as an offering for sin.
ABEL brought a blood offering from an innocent lamb to atone for his sin.
The first offering given was made by God to atone for Adam and Eve’s sin by slaying a lamb and clothing them in its skin. CAIN was aware of this. However, he felt that he could earn forgiveness from sin by the works of his hand but God rejected CAIN’S offering.
God accepted Abel’s offering because it was God’s prerequisite for forgiveness of sin. The law says that the soul that sins shall die. Blood must be shed to atone for sin. An eye for an eye. A life for a life.
CAIN became jealous of his brother. Why? We know from the law that obedience to God’s word brings blessings but disobedience brings God’s curse. God refused to bless the work of Cain’s hands but he blessed Abel because he received the lamb sacrifice for atonement of sin.
The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit begin here. Those in the flesh or of the earth cannot please God but those in Jesus Christ are blessed in him and through him.
Often times this will cause jealousy and persecution from the religious mindset (those trying to keep the law for justification) towards the true Christian. These religious ones will attack the children of the Spirit because they want God’s blessings but they want it on their terms. They want God to accept them based on their deeds which they deem to be righteous in and of themselves.
To be rejected by God caused Cain’s countenance to fall or in modern English Cain felt inferior. This is what caused anger and jealousy to rise up in Cain.
After that the Bible says that Cain went and talked to his brother. That conversation is not recorded but I think that Abel tried to explain to Cain the way of salvation. They were talking in a field. Jesus said the fields are ready for harvest. The field represents bringing the salvation message.
Unfortunately, Cain did not receive the message of salvation because what he did was to rise up against his brother and kill him. This is significant because the flesh ( world minded ) always wants to rise up against the Spirit (God’s ways) all the time. The flesh wars against the Spirit on a continual basis according to scripture. The works of the flesh (human deeds outside Jesus Christ) do not please God and so the flesh resists the Holy Spirit all the time.
God asked Cain, “Where is your brother?” Cain replies, “How should I know ? Am I my brothers keeper? (Or in other words), Should I be guarding and protecting him? “
Cain lied to God when asked where his brother was. Cain rejected his responsibility as the oldest. In effect what Cain did was reject his inheritance just like Esau did. Then Cain became upset and cried about how he could not bear his punishment. Interesting to note, the Bible doesn’t mention his punishment right away, but Cain knew.
The Bible says that the soul that sins will die spiritually. CAIN was to face the worst punishment anyone could get. Separation from God. Notice how there was no repentance on his part. No lamb sacrificed. CAIN still rejected salvation by the blood atonement.
God, however, still offered to Cain his mercy. He tells him that if someone would want to hurt him in the future he would be punished 7 times. 7 is God’s number of perfection. God marked Cain with a reminder to all who would reject God’s plan of salvation for their own. God put a sign on him. CAIN was an example to others. All who saw him knew who he was and what he did. Scriptures tell us that sin will always be found out.
CAIN went out from God’s presence and dwelt in the land of Nod which means vagrancey. The flesh cannot dwell with God. CAIN was homeless.
1 John 3 :2 says that Cain was of the wicked one. The flesh is of the devil. The works of one’s hands or one’s own recognizance for justification is an abomination to God. It is of the devil’s nature; selfish, prideful, jealous and murderous.
Jude 1 : 11 says that apostates or false brethren go the way of Cain. They go after the way of the flesh and run after money. Baalam was a prophet for hire. He went the way of Cain. He prophesied nice things people wanted to hear for money. Korah another apostate was rebellious. He wanted his way instead of going God’s way.
The way of Cain is man’s way; greedy, rebellious and wanting the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
The flesh fights the Spirit and that is why God said the flesh must be put to death or denied. The flesh or world desires cannot inherit the Kingdom of God! A Cain mindset cannot inherit eternal life!
We can not rely on our works, good deeds or any thing else for salvation and acceptance by God except the blood of Jesus.
Trying to attain God’s approval by good deeds or law keeping results in separation from God in this life and also eternally.
Trying to keep the law (deeds of righteousness) for God’s approval is going the way of Cain. What is acceptable for salvation is receiving God’s free gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. His blood alone can redeem from sin and make you a child of God.
Then when you are born of God all deeds done by the Holy Spirit are acceptable to him. God blesses his works not man’s works. Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone saves and justifies . Jesus said, I AM THE WAY. I AM THE TRUTH. I AM THE LIFE.
Romans Chapter 7 is a chapter in which the struggle between the man under the law has with the sinful nature.
Paul who was a Pharisee under the law is revealing the battle a person under the law has with the carnal nature.
Right at the beginning of the chapter Paul makes it clear that he is speaking to those under the law. In other words those who are battling the carnal nature from a legalistic mindset.
Paul says that when we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we are no longer bound to the law. Those under the law were and are constantly battling the nature of sin at work in the non saved person and the law of God.
While with the intellect a person can agree that the law is good they are if not saved powerless to perform it.
Paul points out that true Christians have been delivered from the law. Not from the truths set forth in the law but the law as a letter or theological theory abstract from the non redeemed nature.
While the law reveals sin it has no power to deliver from sin. The law is only a road map but cannot actually get us to our destination. What we need is a vehicle to get us there.
The law in and of itself is good Paul says but because the non redeemed have a carnal nature the no redeemed cannot obey the law in its entirety. That is why under the law God set up the sacrificial system of the blood covering of animals.
The person under the law is not quite the same as a full blown sinner. While the law keeper is a sinner the law keeper tries to obey the law of God in the non redeemed state.
Herein lies the problem. It is rather easy to detect a full blown sinner but not so easy to distinguish a person under the law from a true Christian.
A law keeper may even sometimes look to be more holy than the true Christian. This is because the law keeper is working relentlessly to serve the law while a Christian is looking to God’s grace and mercy for salvation.
There is according to scripture an intense struggle going on between the carnal nature of the law keeper and the law.
The law keeper actually hates the bondage that they are in. They want to serve God in their minds but cannot perform the law good enough to get God’s approval. It’s very tormenting to be a law keeper.
Is there deliverance for this struggle between the carnal nature and the law of God? Paul tells us that there is!
He tells us that through Jesus Christ we can have deliverance.
If we continue on to Romans Chapter 8 we find that those in Jesus Christ no longer have to be in torment battling the law of God and the sin nature. Paul says that there is now no condemnation of the law towards those who walk after the Holy Spirit.
In other words those born of God who are baptized into Jesus Christ and are in the Holy Spirit (because he is living in them) are now called to walk in the Holy Spirit.
Here is where some Christians get mixed up. Just because we are born again and have the Holy Spirit living in us does not mean we have achieved victory over sin. There is a part for us to play and it’s called walking after or yielding to the Holy Spirit. That is being obedient to the inner working of the Holy Spirit in us.
The difference between a law keeper and a true born again person is that the law keeper cannot perform the works of the law for justification while the born again person is justified by grace through faith and can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey God.
God’s righteous is fulfilled in those who walk after the Holy Spirit Paul says. To walk after is translated in the Greek as; to be occupied with, to live with and to follow after.
Paul goes on to say that those who live after the flesh or earthly minded things will produce death that is a non productive spiritual life but those who live after the Holy Spirit will produce life abundantly.
Paul also says that one is proven to be a true Christian with the indwelling Holy Spirit by their putting to death the deeds of the body through the power of the Holy Spirit that is indwelling them and walking after the Holy Spirit which is indwelling them.
In other words when the body which is still subject to earthly senses is put under subjection or control of the Holy Spirit then life and liberty in Jesus Christ is the fruit produced.
Paul also says that suffering in the flesh or not giving in to its dictates will produce a far better eternal weight of glory for us.
One day the Christian’s body will be redeemed and the earthly part will be gone but at this time rather that keeping the sin nature contained by the law, those born of God have the Holy Spirit to control sin and produce fruits of holiness.
Christians are more than conquerors in this life Paul says because we belong to Jesus Christ. A conqueror is not a defeated in bondage to sinful desires and lifestyles person nor is a conqueror a twisted tormented law keeper trying to keep the law in the sinful nature.
A conqueror lives victorious in the Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate the true Christian from the love of God if we really belong to God.
Sin has no more dominion over those who walk after the Holy Spirit because Jesus defeated the power of sin at the cross. Scripture tell us that “He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteous of God in Christ Jesus the Lord.”
(2 cor. 5:21)
Therefore brethren we are under no obligation or compulsion to obey sinful desires for that leads to death but we are under grace and grace leads us through Holy Spirit power to live a life of holiness.
The greatest remedy for our sins, failures, bad choices, and mistakes is God’s unfailing love in which he demonstrated to us through the gift of the Savior Jesus Christ.
This love undeserved is called grace but did you know that grace and salvation stem from God’s heart of compassion in which he releases to the undeserved his mercy.
Mercy called chânan in the Hebrew means to bend in kindness to an inferior; to bestow favor upon. To have pity. Eleeō in the Greek means mercy is the divine grace of almighty God. Mercy is in effect the Lord’s compassion.
Mercy according to the Bible triumphs or is victorious over judgment. All sin is judged by God whose throne is established in justice and righteousness.
Legally speaking God’s laws when broken must be judged. That judgment always leads to death. Christians many times want to blame the devil for every thing but it is not the devil who activates God’s judgment upon us when we sin. It is in fact our own doing.
What the devil does is take advantage of a legal precedent. Sin is an open invitation for Satan to have access to a person’s life. That is why Paul said. Don’t give Satan any place!
Satan is always looking for some one to devour. He wants to kill, steal and destroy in any way he can. So what can we do against this formidable foe who is a merciless devourer that takes advantage of our weakness?
Scriptures give us the answer! Yes, it is God’s mercy! When we confess our sins and ask for help in our weakness the Lord has a legal precedent that triumphs over the law of judgment.
Symptoms of emotional and physical distress often stem from sin and are projected through Satanic attacks. When we suffer from these symptoms we need to look into our hearts and find out how we let Satan get an advantage of us. Then we need to repent.
Whether personal or generational sin has a penalty. That penalty is death. Not just eternal death but non life or dark consequences both material and spiritual. These consequences are manifest through various kinds of torments, afflictions and lack.
Mercy does not need a price for it to bring the remedy for our sins. Mercy is bestowed freely to the contrite and broken heart of repentance from a loving God. Mercy is not given to the proud or self righteous but to the humble who recognize their weakness and desire help from an all powerful God.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Mercy from the Lord comes also when we are persecuted, misunderstood, and attacked by unscrupulous people.
Let me show you from scriptures how the mercy of God can be applied to our lives.
In our distress or trouble we can call on the Lord for his mercy and he will hear us and deliver us.
When we are weak and suffering with affliction we can call on the Lord for his mercy. When we are hated and persecuted we can ask for God to pour out his mercy. When we are poor, depressed and alone we can also appeal to God for his mercy for God’s mercy endures forever.
God’s mercy will bring us forgiveness and deliverance. His mercy sent from the throne of Grace will gives us strength and empowers us to live a life that pleases him.
God’s mercy will protect us and defend us from our enemies. God’s mercy will preserve us from trouble and keep us from the power of the wicked one.
God’s mercy will make us stand and be strong in his mighty power.
God’s mercy will teach us Biblical truth and cause us to walk in his ways.
Are you in need of God’s mercy today? Call upon him in your brokenness for he will bend his ear down to hear your cry. He will come to your rescue and save you out of all your trouble for whoever calls on the name of the Lord in sincerity shall be saved!
Psalm 4:1 When I was in distress have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 6:2 Have mercy on me in my weakness and suffering and heal me.
Have mercy when I suffer from those who hate me. Lift me up out of death. Psalm 9: 13
Through the mercy of the Lord I shall not be moved. Psalm 21:7
For your mercy’s sake don’t remember my sins Psalm 25:7
Remember mercy because I am desolate. Left alone. Forsaken. And afflicted. Depressed, needy and poor. Psalm 25:16
Have mercy. Be my helper. Psalm 30:10
Have mercy for I am in trouble and sorrowful. Psalm 31:9
Those who trust the Lord will have mercy. Psalm 32:10
Send forth your mercy to me from heaven. Psalm 36:5 psalm 57:3
Gods mercy has been my defense and refuge in trouble. Psalm 59:16
Your mercy and truth preserve me. Psalm 61:7
Show mercy and bring deliverence psalm 85:7
In your mercy give me strength and save me Psalm 86 :16
Let your mercy keep me and your covenant stand for me Psalm 89:28
Extend your mercy to my children psalm 103:17
Let your mercy deliver me because you are good. Psalm 109:21
According to your mercy teach me your word. Psalm 119:24
Deliver me from my enemies in your mercy. Psalm 136:26
Romans Chapter 6:14 tells us that sin shall not have any dominion over us.
To have dominion over means to exercise Lordship, ownership, to be ruled by.
If in fact scriptures tell us that sin shall not have dominion over us then why does sin have dominion over some Christians?
Why are some Christians living very much like they are not much different than the unsaved?
Let’s take a look at what scriptures tell us about the matter.
We find out in the next verse that sin has no dominion over Christians because we are not under law but under grace.
In other words Christians now have a new Lord. The Bible tells us that prior to salvation sin was our master. We were under the control of the devil through the sin nature. Sin is the devil’s nature. That is why Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees who were under the law that they had the devil’s nature.
Continuing on in the chapter we can find the remedy for the sin nature. Verse 15 makes it clear that just because we are under grace or favor from God through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ that does not mean we are free to continue to sin.
Verse 16 tells us that whoever we yield ourselves to obey is whose servant we are to whom we obey. If we yield to sin it is because we have sin as our master. If we yield to the Holy Spirit it is evident that God is our master.
Yielding to sin produces death. That means our fruit will be rotten, leading to decay and death. In other words our lives will produce defeat, sickness, poverty, and all kinds of ailments which may lead even to eternal death.
That is why Jesus said to test the fruit to see if someone really belongs to Jesus. If our lives are producing bad fruit then it is because of one or two things. Either there is no real salvation experience or their is ignorance of God’s word.
Vrs. 17 tells us that if we obeyed the teaching we received about salvation then we are free from the dominion of sin and are now become servants of righteousness.
Righteousness in this verse is translated as justification. Made in right standing with God. Now some Christians will stop there BUT it does in fact not end there.
This verse goes on to say that if we have been made righteous then our fruit will be unto holiness. In other words the fruit of our lives will be producing a sanctified purified life.
Now what is the key here to going from the righteous of God in Christ Jesus to holiness or godly living?
The key is in this word. YIELD. If indeed we have received Jesus Christ and are justified by his blood then we will be servants of that righteousness producing holy living.
Under the sin nature we yielded to sin. It was our master. But now we belong to another, born of his Spirit and are become servants of righteousness. If we are servants then we are not free to live any way the old flesh or earthy senses try to dictate.
We are now called to yield to God. That is to the Holy Spirit given to us at the new birth which makes his will know to us by revelation of the word of God. To yield means to give way to, adhere to. Submit to.
Verse 23 declares that the wages or earnings of obeying the sin nature will produce death but the gift of God which is salvation through Jesus Christ freely given to us produces eternal life.
Those under the dominion of sin are the slaves to sin but those under the dominion of the Holy Spirit are now become servants of righteousness unto holiness.
Yield or give way your vessel to the Holy Spirit and he will empower you to live a life that pleases God!
Jesus told his disciples in Matthew chapter 12 that everyone will have to give account for every idle word that they speak on the day of judgment.
The word idle is argos in the Greek which means to be lazy, inactive, barren, non productive or slow.
Jesus spoke this after having encounters with the religious people of his day. What words were these religious leaders speaking to Jesus that caused him to say this? Let’s take a look at Matthew Chapter 12.
The religious leaders in this chapter’s account were accusing and condemning Jesus. They were also using scriptures to try to entrap him. Then when Jesus answered with wisdom this really irked the religious leaders and so they conspired to stop Jesus from performing his ministry. They wanted to destroy him.
On top of all that the religious leaders began to call his miraculous works of the devil. Jesus told them that they were committing blasphemy by attributing his miracles from a demonic source. He also told them that by speaking against the Holy Spirit when they saw the miracles that they were in danger of hell fire.
Jesus explained to his disciples that what the mouth speaks is what is in the heart. Words spoken reveals the spiritual condition.
If the words spoke are negative, non productive, ungodly then that’s because of the condition of the heart.
An angry bitter person speaks negative critical words. An unbelieving heart speaks doubt and unbelief.
A faith filled heart speaks uplifting encouraging words.
Jesus said that the words we speak from our mouths reveal our heart condition. In other words we are what we say.
This is why we will be judged by our words. If we breath out cruelty, meanness and criticism then we will eat the fruit of our words. Jesus did say that we will have what we say. We become in our actions the condition of our hearts verified by the words we speak.
If however as Jesus said, we have good things in our heart then we will produce good things. The word of God living in our hearts will bring forth much fruit.
This means that when situations arise in our lives we will automatically draw from the word of God we have put in our heart.
For example, if we loose a job we can say, “My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory through Jesus Christ.”
If we have someone oppose us we can say, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper and every tongue rising up against me shall be condemned.”
We speak what’s in our heart when situations arise. Faith filled hearts speak faith filled words but hearts filled with dark things speak dark words.
This is what the Lord means by “A pure heart will see God.” A heart filled with the word of God will see God’s hand at work in every situation. (Matthew 5:8)
Idle words are non productive words in the Kingdom of God. Words of no spiritual good. Words that speak contrary to sound doctrine and have no faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:1 Mathew 21:22, 23)
God’s word is like a fire in the heart’s of his people. These hearts bring life and liberty in Jesus Christ through their words. A pure heart sees God’s divine intervention in every situation and declares God’s word into the situation.
God’s words spoken are words seasoned with salt bringing grace to the hearers. (Jeremiah 20:29, Colossians 4:6)
So put God’s word in your heart and speak God’s word in every situation. Then you will find the Lord bringing his miracle working power into all your situations.
The scriptures tell us to Love the Lord with all our heart but also with all our mind.
Mind in the Greek is dianoia which means the imagination, deep thought, and the understanding.
Christians that live according to the dictates of the carnal nature do so because they have not submitted their minds to the Lord. As long as the mind does not love God completely then the bodily appetites and earthly concerns will dominate the person rather than the Holy Spirit.
Those of the flesh or those walking after the carnal nature have their mind (entertain opinions and interests and have affections and cares) on the concerns of this life. (Romans 8)
But those Christians that pursue after the Spirit of God set their affections on the things of God’s kingdom or pertaining to and exceeding to the Spirit of God.
The carnal or worldly mind which is basically the human nature is in enmity with or hostile to God the Bible tells us.
The carnal mind is not in subjection to the law or principles of God nor is it possible to be. To be carnal minded according to the Bible produces death. That means produces things that have no spiritual and eternal value.
To be spiritually minded produces life and peace. Gods’s life will live in and through us.
A carnal or human thinking mind cannot please God. (1 Corinthians 2:13)
All God’s ways are foreign to the human mind. God’s ways many times go against human reasoning. Faith is to believe what is not evident. Faith trusts in supernatural provision. Supernatural ability and supernatural intervention.
God says in his word that if you want financial success then you need to give some money away. That does not register to a carnal mind. A carnal mind will beg,borrow,steal, or whatever to get a financial need met when God says, give and then I will give back to you. (2 Corinthians 9:7, Proverbs 3:9, Luke 6:30-38 Mark 12:41-44, )
The Bible says that if you want wisdom then ask God and he will give it to you. The world says to study philosophy and use secular reasoning to be wise. Use your street smarts. Use common sense.
Those in the Spirit setting their mind on things above are led of the Spirit according to Romans 8 and they have put to death or refused to let operate their flesh or earthly understanding.
God is no respecter of persons. The person who obeys God’s word will produce abundant life and the person who lives by the world’s understanding will produce that which has not spiritual value.
Carnal desires come through minding carnal things. That is from thinking from a human perspective. Thinking on things contrary to the Bible will produce, things such as fear, anxiety, unbelief, sensuality. In the end that kind of thinking will be destructive both mentally and physically and may even produce spiritual death .
Romans 12:2 says not to be conformed or patterned after the world but be transformed or changed by renewing the mind.
How can we renew our mind? By thinking according to the Bible!
Human intellect, feelings and will that are submitted to the will of God will produce life. The word of God is the will of God.
Ephesians 4:2,3 says to put off the former conversation or speach of the old person. The person you were before salvation. God tells us to let no corrupt communication or speach come out of our mouth.
Whatever comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and whatever is in the heart comes through the mind. The mind is the filter for the heart. (Mathew 15:18)
Putting destructive ungodly things into the mind will result in becoming worldly or carnal. God tells us in his word to be renewed in the soul or spirit of the mind which is the intellect, thoughts, emotional feelings, the understanding and the will.
We are called to put on the new born again person which has been created to be righteous and Holy. (Philllipians 4:8)
Scriptures tell us openly what to think on. “Whatever is true, honest, pure , lovely, good, virtuous and praise worthy.” (Philllipians 4:8)
These are values that are God’s way of thinking as set out in scriptures.
The Bible tells us that God’s word is the remedy for the carnal mind. If we think on the word of God we will be renewed in our minds.
Jesus said, “Why do you call me Lord when you don’t do what I say? ” (Luke 6:46)
Jesus is the word incarnate. The Bible is God’s word. When we put our mind on what God says then we start acting like God says to act. We become not only a hearer of the word but a doer of the word. (James 1:22)
According to Proverbs 23:7 Whatever we think in the mind we will become.
If we think God’s word then it will go into the heart. Then we will act according to God’s word. (Proverbs 4:23)
Loving The Lord with all our mind is the key to living a life that pleases God. A life that pleases God is a life that is blessed.
So let us line up our mind to God’s way of thinking by having it renewed by his word!
1 Corinthians 2:16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
No matter how hard the battle is Christians must hold on to the hem of Jesus Christ’s garment until victory comes ! (Matthew 9:20)
Many times when we don’t see immediate results and heaven seems silent our flesh is tempted to panic but Jesus wants us to look to him, the originator and completer of our faith, and not at the storm around us. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
No matter how rough the waves, how deep the waters, or how hard the wind blows, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. (Mathew 14)
Satan knows his times is short and he is mad as hell. Knowing our weakness, and the weakness of others, the evil one will send forth those fiery darts but our faith in Jesus Christis what will bring us through to victory every time. If we do not give up. (Ephesians 6:16, Galatians 6:9)
Faithful is he who has promised! So hang on, keep pressing through in prayer and having done all you are required in scriptures to do just keep standing. (Hebrews 10:23, Ephesians 6:13)
God’s power will be released to rescue you from your fiery trial. Jesus will turn your way and see your faith. He will lift you up out of despair and make you whole again. Jesus will turn your sorrow into joy once more! Do not be afraid! Do not doubt his love for you! Hang on with every last thread of your being to his garment!
Your victory is sure! Look up for help is on its way!
Continue to put your trust in Jesus Christ through the storm and you will not be disappointed! Remember that he has promised to come through for you and God never breaks a promise! (Roman’s 10:11 Psalms 25:3)
Sometimes as Christians we can find ourselves stuck in situations that we really don’t like ! I know from personal experience that making a big fuss over it usually does not help to change the situation and in fact may even make things worse.
It is not necessary either to let yourself be a sitting duck . You don’t have to just suck it up if circumstance is causing you grief. There is nothing more dis-empowering than feeling there is no way out.
How long have you prayed for your situation to change and it hasn’t? Getting frustrated and ready to throw in the towel? Well, there is good news that you might need to hear.
None of us are guaranteed a continual life of milk and honey in this life. Jesus made it quite clear in his word that in this world we will have tribulation. However, the Lord did promise that as he overcame trials in this world so can we.
Going to the cross was a very difficult circumstance for the Lord. Jesus had to yield to unpleasantness and a lot of hardship but he endured, scriptures tell us, for the joy that lay ahead.
I am sure that Jesus really had to put his trust in the Father to bring him through his circumstance even though he felt forsaken and alone for a time. It couldn’t have been easy facing that kind of situation.
Being left in a forsaken place can cause the human mind to freak out a bit but the truth of the matter is that God is with us in our circumstance even though it doesn’t feel like it to us sometimes. When trouble comes our first inclination is to start to be afraid and maybe even feel angry.
God knows that we are only human but never should we stay in that kind of mindset. It will only end up hurting us in the end. Bitterness and anger can cause a whole heap more trouble for us than our actual problem both from a physical and spiritual perspective.
There is some really good news however, which we should keep in mind when we find ourselves in terrible circumstance. God says in his word that he will always be with us even in trouble and he has promised to never forsake us. That means he is going to walk us through our unpleasant circumstance ! Just like God the Father walked Jesus through his difficulties so he will do the same for us.
We have to wait though, be patient, never give up and keep on praying. This is the scriptural key to victory! Never giving up! Keep standing in faith! Keep praying and trusting until the victory comes! Just as Jesus was risen from the dead by the power of God so too shall we experience victory. That is if we don’t give up and if we hold on to our faith.
God had promised to make a way out of the wilderness and he always delivers on his promise. Remember that God cannot lie. It’s as impossible for God to say a fib as it is for the moon to fall out of the sky and land in your plate. He cannot lie. It’s a spiritual reality. So, knowing that God is very trustworthy we can keep trusting in him until the darkness flees and we see the light!
Never do we have to succumb to fear, defeat or depression because we know that all things are working together for our good. ALL is ALL!
Now there is nothing written in stone that our prayers will be answered exactly as we want them to be because well, God is God after all. If there is one thing that I have learned it is that I don’t know what is best for me. Left to my own devices I’d be chasing after rabbit trails indefinitely. So, it’s best that I just trust the Lord to work it all out and he will. For faithful is he that has promised!
You too can be assured that the Lord will bring you through every circumstance. He may or may not change the place you are in but one thing you can count on is that he will change you. After all his priority is what’s best for your eternal weight of glory and in the grand scheme of things that’s what matters.
Kim Balogh Author/Blogger 
You must be logged in to post a comment.