Mark 3:6
6 The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. Anger and hate can make strange bedfellows. In verse 6 we see the Pharisees who had a very different set of beliefs than the Herodians (supporters and associates of Herod Antipas of Galilee and the Herodian family dynasty). Although the Herodians and the Pharisees were adversaries in regard to many political and religious issues, they join forces here to combat the perceived threat to their power and status. Here's the takeaway; Jesus will upset the world balance of power and those in power will need to either acknowledge Jesus as the King of King and Lord of Lords or they are going to feel very threatened. Unrighteous threatened leaders will use the satanic powers to try and control the situation: lies, fear, deceit, isolation. Do these sound familiar? I have spoken to so many people including church leaders who have struggled with these elements over this past year. We must not choose these weapons, instead we choose the tools God gives us to fight the good fight in Ephesians 6. Have lies, fear, deceit, isolation affected your life? How? How has God walked you through those times?
3 Comments
Jesse Dominguez
5/7/2021 07:55:23 am
The cultural and political and racial lies and deceit promoted through media and social(ly disfunctional) media from this past year and well into this year have heightened my awareness of the need to remain faithful to the cause of Christ for He is our deliverer and our salvation. For our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens (Eph 6:12). As we have been reading, our tools for battle are the whole armor of God - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace, we can stand against the enemy's waves that come to kill, steal and destroy. God continues to show me how clearly His truth is the ONLY weapon that can take the blinders off the eyes of those caught up in those lies, just as He took the blinders off my eyes so many years ago. Praise you, Father, for your unwavering love and truth given freely to me and to all who seek after you. May I be used in service to further your kingdom and bring light to this dark world.
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Irene Frank
5/7/2021 08:49:01 am
I was just reading this passage in Ephesians today.
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Matthew Frank
5/8/2021 09:50:19 am
Well said Jesse and Irene! Fear is a tool that the enemy uses to neutralize God's people. This is why we need to take the time each day to put on the full armor of God to protect against these attacks. We fight the majority of battles internally, talking to ourselves and making decisions. Let us be a people that takes every thought captive.
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