Whether the tradesman is a plumber or a carpenter, his tools made his work easy. With them, the task can be tackled and achieved. Without them, the task often becomes impossible.
Paul describes the armor and weapons of the saint in Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul called the Word of God the sword of the Spirit. To use another analogy, God’s Word is also a toolbox providing the Christian with all the tools he or she needs to victoriously live by the Spirit. Here are just a few of the many tools available. What other tools in God’s Word can you discover?
• Perceive true reality ... then embrace it fully
“We lock our eyes not on what is seen, but to the things that are unseen. For visible things are temporary, but invisible things are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
• Know who God is and what he has done... then respond to Him in love
“Before God's sight no creature is hidden. Everything is exposed and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must reckon.” Hebrews 4:13“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him might not be destroyed but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
• Perceive Satan’s lies ... then run from them
“The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers ...” 2 Corinthians 4:4Example of a Biblical antidote to the lies: “What is highly valued among people is an abomination in God’s sight.” Luke. 16:15
Example of a Biblical antidote to the lies: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
• Value being innocent (not the expert) concerning what is evil.
“I want you to be wise toward what is good, and innocent toward what is evil.” Romans 16:19“Be infants in wrongdoing, but in your thinking be adults.” 1 Corinthians 14:20
• Know God’s promises ... then believe, value and live by them
“God is trustworthy, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear.” 1 Corinthians 10:13“Seek his kingdom, and these things (food, etc.) shall be given to you as well.” Luke 12:31
• Know where everything leads ... therefore live to please the Spirit not the flesh
“God is not mocked for a man reaps what he sows. He who sows to satisfy his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh; he who sows to satisfy the Spirit will reap eternal life from teh Spirit.” Galatians 6:7-8
• Understand how sin works ... then take measures against the process
“Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.” James 1:14
• Garbage in ... Garbage out, therefore focus on what is true, noble, etc.
“A good man out of the good treasure in his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure in his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998
Other Articles Which May Be of Interest:
A Christian's Counseling Model to Help People Who Are Hurting
Where's the Treasure? (Issues of the heart)
Prisoners Of An Unseen Force (On Our Beliefs)
Jesus, I Just Want A Happiness Pill Please