BASIC MILITARY TRAINING FOR THE BELIEVER (12)
We now come to the SHIELD OF FAITH in this series of “Basic Military Training for the Believer” It is generally believed this shield to be the large wrap-around shield that virtually covered the whole front of the Roman soldier. We need to ask the question firstly, WHAT IS FAITH? As I often do I will list some various translations that may assist us in our understanding. There is no such thing as a perfect translation, and we all have our personal preferences, ands also those we are not comfortable with. All translations are either written by a Committee of scholars, or is submitted to scholars for their contribution. We must always remember that languages change as does the culture and use of the word at a given time.
Heb. 11:1 AMP.N.T. NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
NKJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
PASSION Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.
MESSAGE The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.
How do we receive FAITH ?
It is a Gift of the Spirit 1 Cor.12:7-10 NKJV But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another FAITH by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. Not many have this gift functioning in their life.
Paul tells us that EVERY BELIEVER can receive Faith, Paul tells us in Rom.10:17 NKJV faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.
PASSION Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One.
The Greek word here is Rhema, it is used 54 times in the New Testament, why not spend some time looking at each of the verses where it is used., your Strong’s Concordance will give you the number.
Not all Greek scholars endorse Rhema teaching, as the 2 Greek words are sometimes used interchangeably in the Greek text, King David especially liked to use the word QUICKEN which you may feel more comfortable with, whatever we call it, we sure know when the Word has come alive and put faith in our heart.
Most Believers know there are two Greek words used for the WORD in the Greek text Logos which is the written Word of God, and RHEMA this is a Word taken out of the Scriptures and is a personal word anointed by the Holy Spirit to your heart, It will ALWAYS agree with the whole tenor of Scripture, but it so quickens our Spirit, that Faith is born in our hearts and we can believe and lay hold of the promise. It is interesting the Greek word for Faith and Believe are very similar, in simple terms the Logos is the fact, the truth, (information) but Faith is when the Word gets into our spirit and becomes a personal revelation.
How can we receive a Rhema Word? We must be a Lover of the Word of God, and spend QUALITY time reading it DAILY, but also to spend QUALITY time MEDITATING, on the Word, chewing over every word and statement, looking at the verse in other translations, and praying “Lord turn the light on”. I sincerey believe God wants to speak to us PERSONALLY every day from the Word, if we will spend QUALITY TIME READING AND MEDITATING.
An exciting result of receiving a Rhema Word is what it does in us personally, In Ephesians 5:25-27 NKJV Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the WORD (RHEMA), that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
We thank God for the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, and the sanctifying ministry of the Holy Spirit, may we let the Rhema Word also have a cleansing, sanctifying ministry in our life.
Rom.10:17 NKJV places much emphasis on HEARING, so we need to make sure there is nothing in our lives that will stop us from clearly hearing what God wants to say to us, As you sit in church, the Lord can speak to you, as you have a storehouse of the Word in your mind, you can also hear that “still small voice” within speaking to you. REMEMBER IT MUST ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.
When you start receiving Rhema Words, I recommend you share them with your Mentor/s to assist you maintain balance, and to confirm you are hearing clearly.
Everyone of us, will have our specific battles, and the shield is to protect you from all the fiery darts Eph. 6:16 NKJV above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
As Faith is now in your heart, let us:
Rebuke the devil in Jesus Name,
Remind him he is defeated, and Jesus dropped the charges against us hallelujah.
Confess the Word of God to him, AND HE MUST FLEE.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are in a “state of war” with the devil, and we must learn to:
Recognize which piece of armour is needed
Put it on, and use it.
I do pray these blogs are becoming life changing to you, may we also spend time saying “thank you” for this glorious inheritance we have, and although we are in a “state of war” WE ARE ON THE VICTORY SIDE AMEN.
I do trust I have clearly articulated this important truth, if you have some questions, please feel free to contact me.
