Bible Book Profiler Blog

Now we tackle the second section of Psalms 107!

Psalms 107
10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

What do these 3 aspects of verse 10 mean?

• Sitting in darkness
• Shadow of death
• Bound in affliction and iron

Isaiah 42

Shadow of Death

Valley of the shadow of death

Psalms 107:10
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

The phrase “shadow of death” occurs 19 times in the bible [17x in the OT & 2 in the gospels].  2 of them [10.5%] are right here in Psalms 107.

This means that whatever happened from the day of Pentecost in 28A.D. and onward annihilated the shadow of death.

Although the Israelites were prisoners of war in captivity in Babylon, there are mental prisons too.

Hebrews 2
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Once again, Jesus Christ did his job right!

1 John 3:8
…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Luke 4
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Since death isn’t a physical, tangible object, you can’t literally shine physical light on it.  Therefore, it’s literally impossible for death to have a shadow.

That doesn’t mean the bible is wrong;  it means that the phrase “shadow of death” has to be a figure of speech.

Mamertine prison in Rome.

And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the Lord: therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto him.

The usage of the word lion is significant because there are physical and spiritual lions.

I Peter 5
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Amen!

This wraps up the third article on Psalms 107.

God bless you all.

We’ve all been there, done that, right?

So have the Israelites.

In Psalms 107 to be exact.

This is because human nature hasn’t changed and God’s word has everything that pertains to life and Godliness.

The symmetry, details, precision and amazing insights of the bible are as profound as they get.

Not to mention free eternal life, a free spiritual body, hope, love, grace, etc…

That’s why the bible is still the best-selling book of all time, despite the fact that millions upon millions of people still don’t understand it.

Yet it’s the will of God that we clearly understand it.

Nehemiah 8:8
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

There IS a way to find out how to understand the bible.

That’s where this teaching comes in.

How to understand the book of psalms, especially psalms 107.

What is a psalm?

British Dictionary definitions for Psalm
noun
1. (often capital) any of the 150 sacred songs, lyric poems, and prayers that together constitute a book (Psalms) of the Old Testament
2. a musical setting of one of these poems
3. any sacred song or hymn

Prayers and poems and songs, Oh My!

Oh my, how the wonderful psalms can heal our heart!

All the psalms are deeply interwoven with and correspond to the Pentateuch, the name of the first 5 books of the bible [Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy], adding a breath-taking layer of profound truth to ponder.

Yet [by chapter count] Psalm 107, being just 1 of 150 Psalms, is only 2/3 of one percent of the book of Psalms, which alone is 12% of the bible!

This is why he magnified it above his name.

Psalms 138:2
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

This is also why this verse is where it is: because it’s in the 5th book of psalms which is all about God and his word!

Screenshot: Companion reference bible; the structure of psalms

Zooming in on the structure of the fifth book or section of Psalms reveals its theme and foundational psalms – 107.

Screenshot of the companion reference bible on the structure of Psalms 107 – 150.

Matthew 4:4
But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Jesus Christ knew of the healing from God’s word.  That is why he taught it all over the place and why we should too.

Just one screenshot reveals the structure, subject, and summary of Psalms 107 and enables us to get a true view in an instant.

Where else can we find such gems of truth?

Screenshot of Companion reference bible; structure of Psalms 107

One of the many advantages of figures of speech is that they eliminate:

1. Personal opinions
2. Educational or man-made theologies
3. Denominational bias
4. Can avoid conflicts over the true meaning of Scripture [as long as there is meekness and humbleness to God’s word]

allowing us to get to the true word of God like no other.

What details lie ahead for us?

The revealing structure and meaning of Psalms 107.

Seduction in the desert, anyone?

Psalms 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Definition of “wandered”:

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
cause to go astray, deceive, dissemble, cause to, make to err, seduce

A primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. Reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both — (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way.

The 3 words “in a solitary” in the kjv is the Hebrew word Yeshimon and means waste; wilderness; a desolation; a desert.

Spiritually, the devil has made the world a wilderness through deception, confusion, and darkness.

Isaiah 14:17
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

Jeremiah has the answer as to why the Israelites were where they were spiritually.

Jeremiah 17
5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

So the Israelites were spiritually seduced in the desert, but by whom and why?

The following screenshot of the Companion Reference bible on Deuteronomy 13 has all the answers.

The spiritual seduction of the Israelites by sons of the devil.

It’s significant to note that the 3 types of seductions listed in Deuteronomy 13 are also 3 of the 8 perils mentioned in part 5 of my article on the 7 types of attacks against us in Romans 8:35!

II Corinthians 11:26
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

Here is who seduced the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 13:13 [kjv]
Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

Belial comes from a Hebrew word beliyyaal [Strong’s #1100]: and means “worthlessness” and is in reference to people who have sold their soul to the devil. They are literally sons of the devil, impregnated with his corrupt spiritual seed.

That’s why they are worthless in God’s eyes.

That’s why the NASB translates the verse like it does.

Deuteronomy 13:13  [New American Standard Bible]
Some worthless men have gone out from among you and have seduced the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom you have not known).

Now let’s go deeper into this seduction and get another key to the puzzle.

A key that unlocks the door of understanding God’s word.

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Definition of “beguiled”:

Greek word: exapatao [Strong’s #1818]: to seduce wholly, deceive

So here’s the chain of seduction in chronological order:

1. In Genesis 3, the devil seduced Eve [who took Adam with her] and became Satan, the God of this world.
2. As God of this world, Satan seduced men to become his sons, [sons of belial]
3. These sons of Belial were leaders [often religious] and seduced the Israelites into a spiritual wasteland.

Why were they seduced in the first place?

Because the spiritual seduction contradicted the very first commandment of God to the Israelites.

Exodus 20:3
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Contradicting the will of God [the bible] is one of the devil’s methods to cause doubt [which breaks down believing], confusion and every evil work.

In my article on how Bruce Jenner went from the 1976 Olympic decathlon winner to become a transvestite,  the first thing the devil did was to seduce the believers away from worshiping God, which is by speaking in tongues.

There’s nothing new under the sun.

Secondly, the devil wants worship.

Luke 4
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

Psalms 107:5
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Not only is this talking about physical hunger and thirst, but spiritual.

The word of God wasn’t in their hearts.  That is why they trusted in man instead of God.

In part 5 of the 7 attacks against us series, we learned that the Apostle Paul was victorious in all 8 different kinds of perils, which included perils in the wilderness [geographically and spiritually].

Look what God did for Israel!

• God fed Israel in the wilderness
• God blessed Israel in the wilderness
• God led Israel through the wilderness

Since he did this for his adopted sons under the bondage of the old testament law, what can he do for us, his first-born sons in the age of grace?

Map of the wilderness of Paran.

They cried unto the Lord

Psalms 107
6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Fortunately, the Israelites still had half a brain left and looked to their heavenly father for help in their time of distress.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The Israelites still had a hunger and thirst for God and his righteousness, so they sought after God.

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we seek God’s righteousness instead of our own counterfeit righteousness, look at the blessings!

This takes meekness and humbleness.

Arrogance or pride will only lead you in the wrong direction with negative consequences that are guaranteed to follow.

Proverbs 28:26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

In Psalms 107:6, the word “cried” is significant.

In the Septuagint [the Greek translation of the Old Testament], it’s the Greek word krazon [Strong’s #2896].

Look where it’s used in the new testament!

Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Screenshot of Companion Reference bible; Notes on Romans 8:15; sonship, not adoption

It is evident that the context is talking about sonship by birth, not by adoption.

Romans 8
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Look at the definition of “abba” in the screenshot below.

Screenshot: definition of abba, used only 3 times in the new testament.

In the context, crying “Abba Father” is worshiping God by manifesting the gift of holy spirit, which can only be done by speaking in tongues.

After the Israelites wandered around in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty, the first thing they did was cry to God for help.

In our times of trouble, we should do the same.

“Abba” is only used 3 times in the entire bible.

Galatians 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Jesus Christ is our intercessor between God and us which has the power to turn our negative situations around.

Romans 8
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities [infirmity]: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

In verse 26, “the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” is our gift of holy spirit [the Christ in us] communicating directly with God because we decided to speak in tongues so that our circumstances can come out for the better.

What a lever of power we have!

In part 2 next month, we will look at our deliverance, praising God and other deep insights of Psalms 107.

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Sword: 

Strong’s Concordance #3162
machaira: a short sword or dagger
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: (makh’-ahee-rah)
Definition: a sword.

HELPS Word-studies
3162 máχaira – properly, a slaughter-knife; a short sword or dagger mainly used for stabbing; (figuratively) an instrument for exacting retribution.

In the bible, there are both physical and spiritual swords.

The physical ones were used in countless battles in the old testament and one of the obvious purposes is to kill somebody.  But another purpose is to separate things.

If you are slicing up a big slab of meat or a big fish, what is the result?

You now have several smaller pieces suitable for cooking or storing in a freezer.

In other words, the sword or knife causes division because it divides up a big piece into many smaller pieces.

This has huge implications with regards to spiritual swords.

The spiritual ones are mentioned throughout the bible so that we can be aware and take appropriate action.

Job 19:2
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?

Psalms 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Psalms 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalms 59:7
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

Psalms 64:3
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

Isaiah 49:2
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Just as a reminder, this is how the 7 different types of attack stack up.

How to conquer: 

Swords are symbolic of war and death, but God can deliver us from both.

Hebrews 2
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Psalm 18:34
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Psalm 27:3
Though an host [army] should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Even in the old testament, without the name of Jesus Christ, believers could still be confident in their battles, so what about us?

Joshua 23:10
One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

Colossians 2:15
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Jesus Christ decisively defeated the devil.  We have Christ in us, so we can defeat him too.

Psalms 55
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

How to defeat the spiritual swords in the spiritual competition

As an athlete of the spirit, we can quench the fiery darts of the wicked, which come in the form of words and images that contradict God’s word.

Ephesians 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith [believing], wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Robert Garrett, throwing the discus in the 1896 summer Olympics

As a spiritual athlete of God, we have both defensive and offensive equipment to use against our spiritual foe, the devil.

The word of God is our weapon of choice.

II Corinthians 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Hebrews 4:12 [amplified bible]
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

I John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I John 5
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith [believing].
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

In Ephesians, when it talks about being an athlete and quenching the fiery darts of the wicked, it’s referring to evil words, [swords] that have devil spirit power.

Since Ephesians is based on Romans, a prerequisite to defeating the swords of the adversary, the devil, is to claim our 5 sonship rights:

1. Redemption
2. Justification
3. Righteousness
4. Sanctification
5. Word and ministry of reconciliation

The key is to compare what has been said with the word of God.  If there is a contradiction, then we don’t believe the false words and discard them.

SUMMARY

Part 1: 

Here we saw a unique overview of Romans 8 with several different figures of speech of structure.

“Their objective is to precisely and deliberately deviate from the normal pattern of grammatical rules in a specific and documented way.

The purpose of figures of speech is to reveal what is most important in God’s word by emphasizing a particular word or phrase, a verse, a whole group of verses, or even an entire book of the bible or perhaps just a concept.

Figures of speech eliminate a trainload of confusion and conflict about what any given bible verse really means”.

The precision, symmetry, and correspondence of the structural figures of speech demonstrate the deeper and more profound meaning of scripture in a unique and powerful way.

There are 9 rhetorical questions in Romans 8 that makes an indelible impact on us due to the unfathomable goodness of our God!

“Here is the final version so we can feel the real impact of what God has done for us:

1. What shall we then say to these things?
2. If God be for us, who can be against us?
3. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
4. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?
5. Is it God that justifieth?!
6. Who is he that condemneth?
7. Is it Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?!
8. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
9. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The number 9 in the bible is the number of finality and judgment.   God’s final judgment is that we are justified in his sight and nothing shall separate us from his perfect and eternal love”.

Part 2: 

In part 2, we saw that both tribulation and distress were fundamentally the same, except that distress was a more intense version of tribulation [mental stress or pressure].

One of the purposes of stress is to break down our believing by stealing our peace.

How to deal with pressure is shown in the infographic below.

How to process stress and distress in Romans 8:35

Some forms of stress are temptations and being with toxic people.

Stress can be overcome with God’s peace, wisdom, the comfort of his word and operating the manifestations of holy spirit, producing the 9 fruit of the spirit.

Part 3:

Part 3 deals with persecution and famine.

We can overcome these by believing God to change the situation itself, or by changing the meaning of the attack.  In other words, to change our attitude about it.

It’s important to walk in God’s perfect love and cast out all fear so that we can have strong believing for the situation to change by God’s grace, wisdom and mercy.

Acts 5:41 says: “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name”.

God can deliver us from any persecution or famine that may arise.

Psalms 33:19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Famines, wars and diseases are spiritually caused by idolatry and evil practices of the people.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid with Romans 8:35 overlay

The 7 attacks against us were overlaid against Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid to better illustrate how they operate.

• The first thing attacked is the spiritual realm.
• The second thing attacked is the psychological area
• The third thing attacked is the physical arena

Part 4: believing, love and hope.

In this part, we learned that there are 4 forms of unbelief:

1. Anxiety
2. Fear
3. Doubt
4. Confused wavering reasoning

These 4 things were successfully used against Eve in the first biblical administration in the garden of Eden to cause the fall of man.

Next, the devil attacked Eve’s love for God, which is doing his word.

Finally, the devil attacked Eve’s hope and she fell into the power of Satan, along with Adam that transferred all the power God gave to him over to the devil, so that he became the God of this world.

Part 5: nakedness and peril.

There are 2 broad categories of clothing: physical and spiritual.

Physical clothing has many purposes, but our spiritual clothing is appropriate for all occasions.

After the fall of man, Adam & Eve put physical clothes on to make up for the lack of spiritual clothes.

We must seek God first in order for him to supply all our need, which includes food and clothing.

There are 8 different categories of perils:

1. Waters
2. Robbers
3. Countrymen
4. Heathen
5. City
6. Wilderness
7. Sea
8. False brethren

Out of the 8 perils, 3 are from the environment [waters, wilderness, sea = 37.5%;  2 out of these 3 deal with some form of water] and 5 are from people [robbers, countrymen, heathen, city, false brethren = 62.5%].

It’s interesting that waters are listed as the first peril and it was the devil that made the first peril by destroying the first heaven and earth with water.

II Timothy 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

II Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Speaking of perils in the wilderness, the entire world is a spiritual wilderness, yet look what God did for Israel!

• God fed Israel in the wilderness
• God blessed Israel in the wilderness
• God led Israel through the wilderness

Since he did this for his adopted sons under the bondage of the old testament, what can he do for us, his first-born sons in the age of grace?

CONCLUSION

There are 7 categories of ways the world can attack us, but with all of God’s resources at hand, we can consistently be ready and defeat them all.

Romans 8
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Stay rooted and grounded in love.

Ephesians 3
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Nakedness: 

[root word]

Strong’s Concordance #1131
gumnos: naked, poorly clothed
Part of Speech: Adjective
Phonetic Spelling: (goom-nos’)
Definition: rarely: stark-naked; generally: wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest; mere.

There are 2 broad categories of clothing: physical and spiritual.

Let’s cover the physical first.

We need to know the objective and purpose of clothing:

The objective is to cover some parts of or all of our body.

The purpose is manifold:

1. Protection from:
   1. Weather
   2. Animals or Insects
   3. Environmental hazards
   4. Enemies during fights and wars
2. Special activities [wrestling, scuba diving, managing bee hives, walking in outer space, etc]
3. Gender differentiation
4. Cover private parts
5. Indicate social status or rank
6. Identification through uniforms – an outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a given profession, organization, or rank
7. Religion identification

We will see the importance of the purposes of clothing later on.

There is more than one meaning of the word “naked” in the bible.

1. Physical: no clothes
2. Safety: no protection
3. Spiritual: no gift of holy spirit present

This example in Isaiah contains 1 & 2: physical and safety.

The phrase “naked and barefoot” occurs only 3 times in the bible and all 3 are in Isaiah 20.

Isaiah 20
2 At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3 And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
5 And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Here, the prophet Isaiah went physically naked for a period of 3 years in the desert as a sign and wonder to Egypt & Ethiopia.

Just imagine if you had to do that!

In Hebrew, this word naked means that all Isaiah was wearing was something like a modern-day g-string.

Egypt was deep into idolatry and paid many consequences as a result, two of which were shame and no protection against the adversary because they walked away from the Lord.

There is a spiritual nakedness also, without the gift of holy spirit.

Genesis 3:7
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Verse 7 is immediately after the fall of man when he transferred his power over to Satan.  That is when he lost the gift of holy spirit that was upon him upon a condition.

After the fall of man, Adam & Eve put physical clothes on to make up for the lack of spiritual clothes.

The first emotion that Adam felt after the fall was fear when he heard the voice of God in the garden [Genesis 3:10].

Fear contradicts the love of God and is negative believing that will bring consequences.   It’s interesting that the first born child [Cain] became a child of the devil.

Adam and Eve were spiritually naked because they no longer had the gift of holy spirit.

Adam & Eve were sons of God by adoption, not birth like we are.  Even if a Christian really screws up, they still have the spiritual incorruptible seed inside them.

But for people in the old testament, it was possible to lose their gift of holy spirit.

That’s one of the differences in the various biblical administrations.

How thankful we should be!

In this administration of grace, look what the Apostle Paul endured!

II Corinthians 11
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

How to conquer: 

If you need material clothing, keep God first.

Matthew 6 [amplified bible]
25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life?
28 And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing],

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’
32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4 [amplified bible]
12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

God spiritually clothed us when we got born again.

Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The word “endued” is the Greek word enduo which means to be clothed with.

This verse in Luke is looking forward to the day of Pentecost, only 10 days away, in the year 28A.D. which occurred in the open area of the temple in Jerusalem.

Model city of temple in Jerusalem

Since God clothes us, that means we were spiritually naked before that point in time that God clothed us, which is when we did Romans 10:9 & 10.

The first usage of enduo in the books of the bible written directly to Christians is in Romans 13 twice [in bolded italics].

Romans 13
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

So the key here is the renewed mind, walking in the love, knowledge and wisdom of God instead of falling into the same old 5-senses routine.

Where can you go shopping for your spiritual clothing on sale?

II Corinthians 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

What is an ambassador?

Definition of ambassador at dictionary.com:
noun
1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary)
2. a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
3. a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country’s mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.
4. an authorized messenger or representative.
Abbreviation: Amb., amb.

What are the clothing needs of an ambassador?

Obviously wearing a pair of old worn-out blue jeans and a torn t-shirt is very inappropriate for an ambassador.

Wearing a top quality suit and tie with a vest would be more fitting.

What about the clothing needs of a wrestler?  Being dressed as if you’re going to spend a winter in northern Siberia would hinder your athletic performance significantly.

How about if you were going to work on a farm?   You would need appropriate clothing for that too.

Look at the versatility of our gift of holy spirit!

We are ambassadors for Christ; wrestlers in the spiritual competition; laborers together with God, and many other things, and yet, the one gift of holy spirit is the most appropriate spiritual clothing in every season and situation.

No matter what “hat” we wear, our one gift of holy spirit means we are dressed for success spiritually!

Colossians 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

II Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

So in Romans 8:35, when it mentions nakedness, since it’s written to believers, it can’t be referring to us without the gift of holy spirit.

Therefore, it has to do with either our lack of physical clothing, lack of protection or some other lack, which could indicate being out of fellowship with God or not believing him to meet our needs.

We can go shopping for our spiritual clothes in God’s Super Spiritual Clothing Store. You’ll find a custom-tailored outfit just for you.  It’s appropriate for all seasons and situations.  It’s located on aisle 10, Row 9 in the Romans section.  It is the greatest bargain of all because it cost Jesus Christ his life.

1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Peril: 

Strong’s Concordance #2794
kindunos: danger
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Phonetic Spelling: (kin’-doo-nos)
Definition: danger, peril, risk.

What kind of perils are there?

II Corinthians 11:26
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

Here, Paul was in 8 different types of danger, yet God delivered him from them all, so he can rescue us as well.

I looked up all the Greek words for the different types of perils so we can have a clearer and more accurate translation:

1.  perils of waters: Potamos – flood, river, stream, torrent;
2.  perils of robbers: lestes (“a bandit, briard”) is a thief who also plunders and pillages – an unscrupulous marauder (malefactor), exploiting the vulnerable without hesitating to use violence.
3. perils by mine own countrymen: genos: offspring, family, race, nation, kind
4. perils by the heathen: ethnos: people joined by practicing similar customs or common culture; nation(s), usually referring to unbelieving Gentiles (non-Jews).
5. perils in the city: polis: city;  the first city in the bible was built by a person who was a child of the devil; Stephen, the great man of God in Acts 7, was cast out of the city and stoned to death; in Acts 13, the Judeans stirred up an entire city against Paul and Barnabas and cast them out, etc
6. perils in the wilderness: eremia: desert or uninhabited region;  In Isaiah, Satan has made the world a [spiritual] wilderness>from wild beast;  spiritually this refers to a devil spirit.
7. perils in the sea: thalassa: the sea; In Acts 27, Paul was shipwrecked, but survived; James 1:7 But let him ask in faith [believing], nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
8. perils among false brethren:  pseudadelphos: a false brother;  Galatians 2:4
   “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”  definition of privily: pareisaktos: brought in secretly
   : what is “smuggled in” by subterfuge and deceit – literally, “introduced (imported) from close beside”.

For me, if I categorize things, I can get a new and broader perspective.

Out of the 8 perils, 3 are from the environment [waters, wilderness, sea = 37.5%;  2 out of these 3 deal with some form of water] and 5 are from people [robbers, countrymen, heathen, city, false brethren = 62.5%].

2 out of the 8 deal with water.

It’s interesting that waters are listed as the first peril.

It was the devil that made the first peril by destroying the first heaven and earth with water [Genesis 1:2].

It was also the devil that caused the second peril on the earth by causing a flood in the time of Noah.

[Understanding the depth of this will be the subject of a future article].

II Peter 3:6
Whereby the world that then was [Genesis 1:1, the first heaven and earth], being overflowed with water, perished:

The book of Job, the first book of the bible written chronologically, follows a similar attack pattern consisting of people and the environment.

Because of Job’s fear, the attacks from people in Job 1 consisted of the Sabeans killing his servants and stealing his livestock and the Chaldeans stole their camels and killed more servants.

When it comes to the environment, a fire killed the sheep and servants and a storm knocked down a house, killing all of the men inside.

What does fear mean?

1. Face
2. Everything
3. And
4. Run

OR

• Face
• Everything
• And
• Rule

Make your choice.

How to conquer: 

II Timothy 3
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

II Timothy 4
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Romans 8
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities [infirmity]: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

These verses are talking about speaking in tongues, which is perfect spiritual prayer to God and actually have 17 benefits listed in the bible.

Speaking of perils in the wilderness, the entire world is a spiritual wilderness, yet look what God did for Israel!

• God fed Israel in the wilderness
• God blessed Israel in the wilderness
• God led Israel through the wilderness

Since he did this for his adopted sons under the bondage of the old testament, what can he do for us, his first-born sons in the age of grace?

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Exodus 16:32
And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 2:7
For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.

Jeremiah 2:6
Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

This verse was already covered in part 2, so we’ll briefly summarize and go much farther.

The God of hope wants us to be filled “with all joy and peace in believing”, so joy and peace are essential ingredients of believing.  Therefore, if you remove joy and/or peace, you no longer have believing according to God’s word.

Definition of “peace” in Romans 15:13:
Strong’s Concordance #1515
eiréné: one, peace, quietness, rest.
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: (i-ray’-nay)
Definition: peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual.

HELPS Word-studies
1515 eirḗnē (from eirō, “to join, tie together into a whole”) – properly, wholeness, i.e. when all essential parts are joined together; peace (God’s gift of wholeness).

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The purpose of these first 2 attacks listed in Romans 8:35 [tribulation and distress] are to break your believing down in God and his word.

Definition of “tribulation” from Romans 8:35:
pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”).

2347 /thlípsis (“compression, tribulation”) carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape” (“hemmed in”).

Definition of “distress” in Romans 8:35:
a narrow space, great distress, anguish
(figuratively) a difficult circumstance

What happens if you step on a chocolate chip cookie?

A chocolate chip cookie will break into pieces under pressure, just like our believing in God can, unless we strengthen ourselves with God’s word.

It breaks into many small pieces from the stress, pressure, and impact, just the opposite of the meaning of God’s peace in Romans 15:13.

The goal of the world is to break down our believing in God by pressure and distress.

Remember this infographic from the last article?

Now we will dig deeper into it for another level of understanding.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid with Romans 8:35 overlay

This pyramid with the Romans 8:35 overlay illustrates the order of attack: first the spiritual, then the psychological, then the physical.

But there are more ways the world can break down our believing that we need to know about.

II Corinthians 2:11 [amplified bible]
To keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Once we know how our enemy works, then we can be trained and prepare for victory instead of defeat.

The subject of how the world attacks our believing, love and hope is actually part of a different series of articles called the fall of man that I’ve been thinking about for some time, so this series and that one have a piece in common.

So rather than write the same article twice, I will simply link you to part 2 of the fall of man, and go to part 5 of this series next month.   I will then have to finish the fall of man series by making part 1 asap.  Crazy, I know.

While making the 7 attacks series, I didn’t foresee all this coming, so you just have to be flexible in your plans.  It’s generally better to write part 1 before writing part 2… 😉

Discover how Satan broke down Eve’s believing, love, and hope and how to be victorious in the spiritual competition!

The number 3 in the bible represents completeness.

In part 3, your’re going to see the whole picture of Romans 8:35 with several infographics that will give you new insights to overcome the 7 types of attacks against us [especially the second pyramid].

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

3. Persecution: 

Strong’s Concordance #1375
diógmos: persecution
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ogue-mos’)
Definition: chase, pursuit; persecution.

HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 1375 diōgmós (from 1377 /diṓkō, “follow, pursue”) – properly, pursuit (chase); persecution – literally, “the hunt to bring someone down like an animal,” trying to suppress (punish) their convictions. See 1377 (diōkō).

1375 /diōgmós (“religious persecution”) literally refers to those seeking to punish God’s messengers with a vengeance – like a hunter trying to conquer (obliterate) someone as their “catch.”

[1375 (diōgmós) is used in ancient and biblical Greek for persecution (hostility) shown by confused, spiritual “leaders.” For example, it applies to the Roman Emperor, Decius (ad 250-251). He killed thousands of Christians who refused to offer sacrifices in his name.]

A perfect example of this is the apostle Paul before he got born again.

Philippians 3:6
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless

Its important to note that the persecution is coming from the religious leaders.  Paul was a Pharisee after all.

Isn’t that a bit ironic and hypocritical?

Acts 8
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling [dragging] men and women, committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Havock means: to affix a stigma to, to dishonor, spot, defile; to treat shamefully or with injury, to ravage, devastate, ruin.

Imagine that – putting people in prison for speaking the truth, while the guilty ones are falsely accusing us of evil!

That never happens in our society, does it???

You may remember from part 2 that distress was basically a more intense version of tribulation, so where does persecution fit in?

The 7 attacks start off with mental pressure and end in death, with everything else somewhere in between.

How to conquer: 

First, we need to understand that no matter what we think, say or do, we may still encounter persecution.

Some people say that because you screwed up, you are being persecuted.

That can be true in some situations.

If we are habitually breaking sound biblical principles in our life, we will receive what we have been sowing.

Galatians 6
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Colossians 3:25
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

If we are volatile, and don’t control our thoughts, emotions, words or actions, we may stir up a lot of people against us that could lead to persecution, but if we exercise self-control [one of the 9 fruit of the spirit] and use God’s wisdom, then many potentially bad situations can be avoided altogether.

On the other hand, Jesus Christ was a perfect man who lived perfectly for God, but was persecuted more than anybody else I know, so whether or not we are persecuted is not a guaranty that we are responsible.

If we are a spiritual couch potato, never doing anything against the devil, then why would the devil even attack us?

Figuratively, if we are in a boxing ring against the devil, we’re going to get bruised a time or two. It’s simply the nature of the fight.

We just can’t avoid persecution 100% of the time.

Psalm 119:161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

II Timothy 3
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax [grow] worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Why?

Because the devil is the God of this world and his whole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy.

II Corinthians 4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Strategies to overcome stress and persecution

There are offensive and defensive strategies we can use to defeat persecution, which points back to the stress flowchart we saw in the last article.

In any given situation, we have 2 options at our disposal: problem-focused or emotion-focused.

Both can work, depending on variables.

So here are just a few of the verses that we need to be aware of and can use to our advantage.

Problem-focused verses: change the situation itself

Leviticus 26:8
And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Joshua 1
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 23:10
One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

2 Samuel 22:30
For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Psalms 7:1
O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

Remember that God’s deliverance is past, present and future.

Acts 8:4
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

We can go on the offensive by speaking the word of God.

God’s light dispels the spiritual darkness.

Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

I Corinthians 15
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

As we keep the hope of Christ’s return in mind, knowing that we have rewards waiting for us, we can stand stedfast and unmoveable in the work of the Lord.

Remember, if we’re rooted and grounded in God’s love, we can be steadfast and unmoveable.

2 Corinthians 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

II Corinthians 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith [believing], wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We can rest in the confidence that God will deliver us, no matter what attack is thrown against us.

No Fear!

Finally, as a spiritual athlete, it’s important to not be afraid because it will just make matters worse.

Job 3
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Psalms 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Look what the apostle Paul did when he was captured and locked up in prison!

Acts 16
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Paul & Silas’ believed that God would rescue them out of this bad situation and he did according to their believing.

Emotion-focused verses: change relation to the situation 

We all know that the past can’t be changed.   Therefore, the problem-focused strategy is not an option to fix past problems because it attempts to change situations that cannot be changed.

So for issues in the past, the only option is to use the emotion-focused strategy that can change the relation to the situation; in other words, we can change the meaning of the past and/or our attitude about it.

All those horrible things you went through long ago take on a life-changing new perspective with God’s deep spiritual insights.

For example, suppose you were abused as a child.  The precision of God’s word can bring great relief to many people because:

• We know that it was not God punishing us because we were unlovable or unworthy
• We know that we are not to blame [many child molesters blame the victim or manipulate them into feeling guilty or being shamed]
• We can rejoice knowing that the devil considered us worthy opponents, [even as a child!] in the spiritual competition [Acts 5:41; II Thessalonians 2:5]
• We can smile knowing that we will be getting rewards in heaven for looking forward to Christ’s return

The parable of the sower and the seed sheds new light on how to overcome persecution.

Matthew 13
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon [King James old english = immediately] with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth [endures] for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by [right away] he is offended.

Verse 21, definition of offended:

From the Greek word skandalon; to entrap, i.e. Trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) — (make to) offend.

If we stumble and fall, then we can’t walk for God.  We must learn from our mistakes and get back up again so we can walk for God again.

Proverbs 24:16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Ephesians 5
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

If we’re rooted and grounded in God’s love, we will be able to survive and thrive during in any attack of persecution.

Ephesians 3
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

A tree that’s got a deep and strong root system can withstand a storm or drought, but one with a shallow root system will die when circumstances are against them.

Jeremiah 17
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful [anxious] in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

The largest tree by volume is believed to be a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) known as the General Sherman Tree in the Sequoia National Park in Tulare County, California. Only the trunk is used in the calculation and the volume is estimated to be 1,487 m3 (52,500 cu ft).

Matthew 5
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Acts 5
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

James 1 [amplified bible]
2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.
3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].
4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Remember, the trials are not from God, but are from God’s enemy instead.

During persecution, there is great comfort knowing that God’s justice will be done in the future.

II Thessalonians 2
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith [believing] in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense [repay] tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Verse 5 again states our worthiness, establishing it.

In verse 7, we have rest with the other saints who were persecuted also.

II Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

II Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

God’s grace is defined as unmerited divine favor.  That’s an unlimited supply!

My mom always said that everything will come out in the wash.    This saying has 2 basic meanings:

1. used for saying that people will always find out the truth about something

2. used for saying that you are sure you will find a solution to the problem that you have

When you combine them, you come up with the conviction that you will discover the truth and that everything will be OK as a result.

Hebrews 4
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Famine: 

There is no fancy definition here, so we go to a regular dictionary.

noun
1. extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area.
2. any extreme and general scarcity.
3. extreme hunger; starvation.

The word “famine” is used 87 times in the KJV of the bible.

Why are there famines?

When there is a disaster such as famine, ask yourself these questions:

Is this a man-made problem, despite what the news says?

Many crisis you hear on the news are either lies or man-made crisis that originate from the treacherous dealers we learned about in the last article.

Are famines an act of God?

We often see the phrase “acts of God” in insurance policies, letting you know that the insurance company won’t cover you in such circumstances.

Satan, the accuser of God’s people, works through the systems of the world to falsely accuse God of what he is guilty of himself.

If there is a drought that results in a famine, sure, there may be geological or meteorological [weather] related things going on, but don’t exclude the spiritual factors.

Genesis 1
14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

The devil is cursed more than any other living thing and so are his children [the treacherous dealers].

17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Cursed ground produces thorns and thistles, which don’t produce fruit.

Genesis 4 [amplified bible]
11 And now you [Cain, the first son of the devil in the bible] are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s [shed] blood from your hand.
12 When you cultivate the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength [it will resist producing good crops] for you; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond [roaming aimlessly] on the earth [in perpetual exile without a home, a degraded outcast].”

The spiritual reason there are many desert areas around the globe that don’t produce good crops is because of the spirituality of the people of the land.

Is there actually a shortage of food, or is it a distribution problem?

Numerous good quality sources on the internet clearly say it’s a distribution problem.

How to conquer: 

God will supply our need as we trust in him

Job 5
19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.

21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Psalms 33
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear [reverence] him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Why are there famines, swords and pestilences?

There are 24 verses in the bible that contain the words “famine”[which can result in death], “sword” [representing war & death] and “pestilence” [disease, which can result in death also] because these go together.

The common thread is death.

Hebrews 2
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Here is why they occur:

Ezekiel 6:11
Thus saith the Lord God; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

What goes on in a land spiritually [evil abominations] will determine what goes on in the 5-senses realm.

War, famine and disease are common in many sections of the world right now, such as parts of the middle east or areas of Africa where idolatry in the land reign.

Galatians 6
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Psalms 91
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Many diseases considered incurable today are because those diseases “walk in darkness” – their true cause and cure has been hidden by the lies from the treacherous dealers who are in the darkest degree of darkness.

But no matter what the cause is, we can be delivered from them all!

Pyramids and Romans 8:35

Now we are going to zoom out and see the whole picture of Romans 8:35 in light of the pyramid below.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s [1908 – 1970] famous hierarchy of needs pyramid enables us to get a better view of the overall picture, leading to new insights.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid.

• Physical realm: the bottom 2 layers – Physiological and Safety needs.
• Psychological realm: the middle 2 layers – Love/belonging and Esteem needs.
• Spiritual realm: the top, the pinnacle – Self-actualization needs [including the meaning of life].

Interestingly, all 12 characteristics of the self-actualized person that Dr. Maslow wrote about follow biblical and spiritual principles.

Mankind’s greatest and highest potential is spiritual and to become: a son of God; an athlete of the Spirit; to be redeemed, justified, righteous and sanctified in the sight of God; an ambassador for Christ; being seated in the heavenlies with Christ; receiving a brand-new spiritual body at the return of Christ.

On the scale of eternity, the tip of the pyramid actually represents our greatest need, as the bible reveals.

Job 23
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Job had his priorities right.

Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

Jeremiah depended upon the word of God to sustain him.  So did Jesus.

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

So we need both physical food and spiritual food.

John 4
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat [nourishment] is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God can supply all our need, which makes the spiritual top of the pyramid the most important.

The spiritual famine

Right now, there is a spiritual famine going on all around the world.    Billions of people are unsaved and the majority of those that are saved have multiple major misunderstandings of God’s word.

For example, most Christians believe:

• that you go to heaven when you die
• that God caused the flood of Noah
• that the trinity is of God, even though it violates the laws of logic and math that God invented
• that God forsook Jesus on the cross
• the gospels are written to them
• believe the mis-called gifts of the spirit are not for them or are of the devil or haven’t been taught how to operate them in their lives or what the 18 benefits are
• Jesus died on good Friday and was resurrected on Sunday morning, despite the fact that the bible says Jesus was in the ground 72 hours
• that God caused the chaos and destruction in Genesis 1:2 or he simply wasn’t finished making the heavens and earth yet

The list is virtually endless…

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The purpose of this blog & website is to teach people how the bible interprets itself and how to research the bible using sound logic, critical thinking skills and what resources we can use to verify the truth of the word of God.

Once you know how to study the bible and how to understand it, you will no longer be stuck in a spiritual famine.

Below is the pyramid of the hierarchy of human needs with a Romans 8:35 overlay.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid with Romans 8:35 overlay

• The first thing attacked is the spiritual realm.
• The second thing attacked is the psychological area
• The third thing attacked is the physical arena

Why this is and what is behind it is the subject of my article next month…

Now that we understand the overview of Romans 8 through the eyes of figures of speech, let’s break Romans 8:35 down into smaller components and details so we can get a clearer and more accurate understanding.

After that, we’ll ascend to higher ground and see from God’s heavenly vantage point with a full 360 degree view.

There won’t be any blind spots because we’ll be flooded with his perfect light and learn how to overcome the 7 different ways the world can attack us.

As is always the case, since the word of God is an inexhaustible resource of profound truth and deep insights into the very heart of life, this research study ended up being a jillion times deeper and bigger than I initially thought, so out of necessity, I’m breaking it up into several different parts in sequence.

This part 2 covers the first 2 ways of attack: tribulation and distress.

And no, this tribulation doesn’t have anything to do with the great tribulation in revelation!

Jesus Christ has already saved us from having to go through that [I Thessalonians 4:13-18].

Funny thing is, I don’t even know how many articles on Romans 8:35 there will be yet, but we will find out soon enough.

First off, if you are in any way the cause of any of these 7 methods of attack, or even a contributing factor, don’t condemn yourself, live in guilt or regret for the next 10, 20 or 30 years!

You only live once.  Redeem your time wisely.

Get God’s forgiveness NOW and move on.

I John 1
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Don’t go to a priest’s confessional booth.

Go directly to God because he has already supplied the finest and final high priest of all time for all time: Jesus Christ, who makes intercession for us according to the will of God.

Ephesians 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Psalms 103
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear [reverence] him.

Mercy is deserved judgment withheld. Whew!

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

If you go north or south far enough, you will end up going in the opposite direction. In other words, you will get smacked in the face with your past sins that God has already forgotten.

[This brings up another issue: if you do ever have your sins haunt you and God has already forgiven & forgotten, then they could not be originating from God.

Therefore, they are coming from another source, which ultimately will be Satan].

But if you go either west or east, you will never end up going in the opposite direction.

globe-1491

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Galatians 5
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

In verse 7, the question was not when, why, what, where or how, but WHO.

Who attacks us?  Certainly not God who wants us to obey his truth.  It is the devil who indirectly attacks us 7 different ways.

An entire teaching could very easily be taught on Galatians 5:7 & 8 alone, so we’ll just hit the highlights.

Galatians 5:8 – Definition of persuasion:

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
treacherous or deceptive persuasion

Isaiah 24:16
…the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

Treacherous dealers are as evil as they get.

They have been and are the dark spiritual movers and shakers throughout history.

They are the ones who have infiltrated, contaminated, saturated and dominated cultures and countries around the world with confusion, drugs, fear, idolatry, lies, lust, murder, pride and wars, just to name a few.

Although they operate in virtually every industry that has money and power, they are especially concentrated in politics and religion.

That’s where the treachery really begins.   We must be able to separate truth from very subtle errors.   Ultimately, confusing and foggy gray areas will be exposed by God’s light and laser-sharp truth.

As God’s spiritual athlete, the competition is in our mind.

That’s where this chart and the word of God can be so helpful in understanding how to properly process things in our environment and still be victorious.

How to process stress and distress in Romans 8:35

The secondary appraisal section is where the stress begins.

The bible calls a non-christian the natural man because he or she does not have the gift of holy spirit within.

In other words, they only have a body and soul, but not holy spirit.  They are missing the third and most important part.

With only a body and soul, our resources and abilities are limited, so when faced with situations that require more than what we have, stress is produced.

The effects can be anywhere from merely annoying to fatal.

But as a Christian, we not only have the gift of holy spirit within, but we have the word of God and a powerful connection to God.

That’s priceless.

II Corinthians 3
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

II Corinthians 9
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Psalms 18 [amplified bible]
1 “I love You [fervently and devotedly], O Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me;
My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge;
My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
And I am saved from my enemies.

Psalms 147
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

As Christians, we can tap into God’s deep and infinite understanding of life.

Romans 8
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities [infirmity]: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

This is THE spiritual stress-killing app, knowing “that all things work together for good to them that love God”.

Defeat stress with God’s infinite resources 24/7/365!

Enter the figure of speech Anaphora

Romans 8: 33-35 contain the figure of speech anaphora.

“Anaphora Definition
In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as Anaphora.

Anaphora, possibly the oldest literary device, has its roots in Biblical Psalms used to emphasize certain words or phrases. Gradually, Elizabethan and Romantic writers brought this device into practice. Examine the following psalm:

“O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.  My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?”

The repetition of the phrase “O Lord,” attempts to create a spiritual sentiment. This is anaphora.

Functions of Anaphora
Apart from the function of giving prominence to ideas, the use of anaphora in literature adds rhythm to it and thus, making it more pleasurable to read and easier to remember. As a literary device, anaphora serves the purpose of furnishing artistic effect to the passages of prose and poetry.

As a rhetorical device, it is used to appeal to the emotions of the audience in order to persuade, inspire, motivate and encourage them“.

Romans 8
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

We are going to analyze each of the 7 attacks in the order they occur in the verse, then see how they all fit together.

1. Tribulation definition:

Strong’s Concordance #2347
thlipsis: tribulation
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: (thlip’-sis)
Definition: persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation.

HELPS Word-studies
2347 thlípsis – properly, pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”).

2347 /thlípsis (“compression, tribulation”) carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape” (“hemmed in”).

[By contrast, 4730 (stenoxōría) focuses on the external pressure exerted by circumstances.]

This is mental pressure in a stressful situation, something we all get trapped in sometimes.

Some synonyms are harassment and vexation.

How to conquer:

One thing that can really help is to understand the purpose of mental pressure, harassment or vexation.

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of holy spirit.

From one point of view, there are 3 great principles of life: believing, love and hope.

There is joy and peace in believing.

In other words, at least 2 of the ingredients of believing are joy and peace.

If you are making food according to a recipe, what happens if you leave an ingredient out?

It doesn’t come out right.

The same happens with believing.  If joy or peace are missing, then you can no longer believe according to God’s word and that’s the point.

The purpose of these first 2 attacks of mental pressure and distress is to corrupt, disrupt or steal your believing.

Mental pressure and distress are fundamentally the same.  The only difference is that distress is a greater degree of mental pressure.

Back in Genesis 3, the first thing that the serpent did was steal away Eve’s believing in what God had said by introducing doubt and confusion.

So now that you know that, you can be better prepared to defeat it.

If your mental stress is caused by temptations, then this section is for you. 

I Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Tribulation is “especially when feeling there is “no way of escape””; yet when we trust in God, he makes “a way to escape”.

But I want to make it extremely clear who is providing the temptation and who is not!

It wouldn’t make sense that God would stress us out, then provide a way to escape that same stress.

God doesn’t play games with us, but somebody else does…

Matthew 4
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Israel wilderness similar to the one Jesus was tempted in.

The tempter is one of many names of the devil, highlighting one of his many negative attributes.

James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

God doesn’t tempt anybody, so stop blaming him.

One antidote to temptation is just one verse back.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

How do we know that we actually love God?  We can’t go by OUR definition of love, but GOD’S definition.

I John 5
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

I’m not talking about the 10 commandments in the old testament because they were written directly to the Israelites.

I’m talking about the many commandments in the new testament that are written directly to Christians today.

1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

At the judgment seat of Christ, we will receive a crown of life for defeating temptations!

Hebrews 4
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Since we have Christ in us the hope of Glory, and Jesus Christ defeated all temptations, we can too.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Another way to defeat stress and feeling trapped is to seek God’s peace.

Philippians 4
6 Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth [surpasses] all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Spending too much time with ungodly people or getting into toxic relationships can be a source of vexation and stress you don’t need.

Numbers 33:55
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

II Corinthians 6
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Job 19:2
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?

A good friend or acquaintance will build you up, not tear you down.

We can overcome the world, the source of the stress.

I John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I John 5:5
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith [believing].
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Don’t let this counterfeit trap destroy your believing!

Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

God’s wisdom can provide tremendous relief from stress!

Table: the 8 characteristics of God’s wisdom from James 3:17.

2. Distress definition: 

Strong’s Concordance #4730
stenochória: narrowness of space, fig. difficulty
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: (sten-okh-o-ree’-ah)
Definition: a narrow space, great distress, anguish.

HELPS Word-studies
4730 stenoxōría (from 4728 /stenós, “narrow, confined” and 5561 /xṓra, “space, territory, area”) – properly, a narrow place; (figuratively) a difficult circumstance – which God always authorized and hence only produces a temporal sense of confinement. Through Christ’s inworking of faith (4102 /pístis, “divine persuasion”), internal distress (sense of pressure, anguish) is ironically the way He shows His limitless work – in our “limitations”!

[Ro 2:9 however uses 4730 (stenoxōría) for negative confinements (inner distress), that result from living outside of God’s will.]

Stess: mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension

Distress: great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.

One of the meanings of the prefix dis is “expressing intensive force”, so distress is a greater or stronger version of stress [wait until you see how this fits into the pyramid in a future article!].

This word distress is only used 4 times in the bible.  4 is the worldly number and Satan is the god of this world, so this distress ultimately originates from him.

How to conquer:

The opposite of distress is comfort, which is why so many of us reach for comfort foods like chocolate, hamburgers or pizza when the going gets rough.

God has already provided 5 good things to help us heal and relieve distress: music, nature, sex, sleep and most importantly, his word.

Emerald Bay on lake Tahoe. In the bible, the color blue represents the peace of God.

II Corinthians 1
2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

In this section, the root words console and comfort are used 9 times!

Nine in the bible indicates finality.  God’s consolation and comfort are the final answers for our heart’s distress.

God’s deliverance is past, present and future.

Verse 4 uses the same root word comfort 4 times.  Here is one definition.

Strong’s Concordance #3874
paraklésis: a calling to one’s aid, i.e. encouragement, comfort
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak’-lay-sis)
Definition: a calling for, summons, hence: (a) exhortation, (b) entreaty, (c) encouragement, joy, gladness, (d) consolation, comfort.

HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 3874 paráklēsis – properly, a call (urging), done by someone “close beside,” i.e. a personal exhortation that delivers the “evidence that stands up in God’s court.”

[3874 (paráklēsis) is cognate with 3875 /paráklētos (“legal advocate”) and thus has legal overtones.]

3874 (paráklēsis) is an “intimate call” that someone personally gives to deliver God’s verdict, i.e. “the close-call” that reveals how the Lord weighs in the relevant facts (evidence). 3874 /paráklēsis (“holy urging”) is used of the Lord directly motivating and inspiring believers to carry out His plan, delivering His particular message to someone else. The core-meaning of 3874 /paráklēsis (“personal urging”) is shaped by the individual context, so it can refer to: exhortation, warning, encouragement (comfort), etc.

Another way God can comfort us is by way of the 9 manifestations of holy spirit, [often mis-called the gifts of the spirit].

I Corinthians 14:3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

When the worship manifestations of speaking in tongues with interpretation and prophecy are operated accurately and in order, they give us 3 great forms of relief from distress:

1. Edification:  God gives us hand-delivered, just what the doctor ordered words to build up our hearts that can strengthen, heal and restore our wounds from the world
2. Exhortation: this is #3874 defined above
3. Comfort: this is tenderness, consolation and comfort

#3 is this word:

HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 3889 paramythía (a feminine noun) – “primarily ‘a speaking closely to anyone’ (para, ‘near,’ mythos, ‘speech’); hence it denotes ‘consolation, comfort,’ with a greater degree of tenderness than 3874 (paráklēsis)” (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 111, italics added). See 3888 (paramytheomai).

When we operate the manifestations of holy spirit with precision and order [I Corinthians 12-14], we will receive the fruit of holy spirit, like a cluster of grapes on a grapevine.

The 9 fruit of holy spirit are the result of operating the 9 manifestations of holy spirit. The fruit of holy spirit is like a cluster of grapes. Attribution for image is “Fir0002/Flagstaffotos”.

Galatians 5 [amplified bible]
22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Who in their right mind wouldn’t want these?!

Defeat distress with perfect love

I John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Definition of torment:

Strong’s Concordance #2851
kolasis: correction
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Phonetic Spelling: (kol’-as-is)
Definition: chastisement, punishment, torment, perhaps with the idea of deprivation.

HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 2851 kólasis (from kolaphos, “a buffeting, a blow”) – properly, punishment that “fits” (matches) the one punished (R. Trench); torment from living in the dread of upcoming judgment from shirking one’s duty (cf. WS at 1 Jn 4:18).

Perfected love casts out tormenting fear (2851 /kólasis)

“Punishment that “fits” (matches) the one punished”.

Why is fear like this?

Enter the law of believing.

Job 3
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

Fear is negative believing and what you are believing for, you will receive.

Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith [from the Greek word pistis = believing].

In other words, believing, whether positive or negative [fear] will yield proportional results in your life, so how do you overcome it?

As we’ve seen, God’s love casts out fear, but now we’ll see the whole picture.

II Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

• God’s power overcomes the ultimate source of the fear, the devil
• God’s love casts out the fear itself
• The sound mind of Christ prevents the fear from coming back

How to overcome fear with power, love and a sound mind!

Fear is one of the many sources of distress that we can eliminate with God’s resources.

II Corinthians 12 [amplified bible]
9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

In verse 10, the root word distress is the same in Romans 8:35.

II Corinthians 9
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Amen.

The seven categories of spiritual attacks against us are listed in Romans 8:35

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

But before we dig into all the glorious details of this verse, we first need to understand the context of Romans 8.

Romans 8 is the pinnacle of doctrinal truth of the book of Romans to the believer.

That enables us to be more than a conqueror in all situations as we believe God’s word to overcome the world.

But sometimes we choke in the ocean of chaos, lies, and darkness.

An in-depth and accurate knowledge of God’s truth can heal our hearts, enlighten our path and inspire us to victory.

The purpose in handling this section of Romans 8 with such an intricate overview, depth & detail is summed up in one of my favorite verses.

Nehemiah 8:8
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

By having a deeper understanding of God’s word, we can believe it greater and love God even more, which energizes our believing even greater.

See the pattern of growth?

In part 1 we will get a broad overview on how to conquer the 7 methods of spiritual attack against us with some enlightening figures of speech on Romans chapter 8.

In part 2 we’ll dig into the many deep diamonds of truth in Romans 8:35 and get our answer to life’s questions once again.

Overview: figures of speech on the structure of Romans 8:1-39

Figures of speech are an exacting grammatical science.

Their objective is to precisely and deliberately deviate from the normal pattern of grammatical rules in a specific and documented way.

The purpose of figures of speech is to reveal what is most important in God’s word by emphasizing a particular word or phrase, a verse, a whole group of verses, or even an entire book of the bible or perhaps just a concept.

Figures of speech eliminate a trainload of confusion and conflict about what any given bible verse really means.

The beautiful symmetry and profound truth of figures of speech inspire awe, love and trust in God’s word.

The first figure of speech we’re going to look at covers the entire 8th chapter of Romans and is called Correspondence, which has 3 sub categories: alternate, introverted and combined.  Combined, as the name implies, is simply a combination of the previous two.

Correspondence enables us not merely to perceive the symmetrical perfection of the passage, but to understand it’s true sense; to see its scope and thus be guided to a sound interpretation.

What may be obscure in one element may be clear in its corresponding element.

The way introverted correspondence [introversion] works is, for example, let’s say there are 2 series of elements.

The first of one series of elements corresponds to the last element of the second series.

The second element of the first series corresponds to the second-to-last element of the second series, and so forth as illustrated below.

Correspondence is by far the most stately and dignified presentation of a subject; and is always used in the most solemn and important portions of scripture.

Screenshot of Companion Reference Bible; Figures of speech overview of Romans 8

If we rearrange the sections we can better understand the correspondence.

1. Beginning [1-4]: no condemnation to those in Christ and why
2. Ending [28-39]: no separation from Christ and why  [this is the context of part 2]

1. First middle [5-15]: holy spirit in us, leading us
2. Second middle [16-27]: The Holy Spirit’s [God] witness with our spirit, leading it

Screenshot of Companion Reference Bible. Romans 8:33-39 figures of speech.

• Beginning section [33]: God’s love in securing us against all who would accuse
• Ending section [38 & 39]: God’s love in Christ in securing us against all separation from the nature of things

• First middle section [34]: Christ’s love [manifested in death & resurrection] securing us against all who would condemn
• Second middle section [35 – 37]: Christ’s love [thus manifested by Him that loved us] securing us against all separation arising from the operation of things.

Another way to summarize the attacks against us in verses 33 – 39:

1. Accuse
2. Condemn
3. Separate by operation of things
4. Separate by nature of things

But of course, God has already covered us from all of these!

screenshot of companion-reference bible – Romans-8:28-39 – figure of speech

The third screenshot references standing and state.   What are they?

Our standing with God is that of a son, which can never change because we are born of incorruptible spiritual seed.   Seed is always permanent because it’s what determines the true nature of things.

Our state is our fellowship with God, which can vary, depending upon how well our thoughts, beliefs, actions, communications, etc line up with God’s will, which is his word, the bible.

We are secured by God’s purpose and perfect love, in regards to our sonship and fellowship with him.

In Romans 8:31 – 35, there are 9 rhetorical questions in a row, which is a figure of speech, but you can’t see this in the KJV unless you really work at it.

I have bolded & italicized the same words as the KJV does so we can have an accurate starting point, then we will see the real impact of what God has already done for us.

Romans 8
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

In verse 33 in the Greek, the word “charge” means to summon, to accuse, to [legally] charge someone with a crime.

Who would do that to us and why?

Revelation 12:10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

The accuser is one of the many names of the devil, emphasizing his accusative nature, which can attack us in the form of self condemning thoughts [internal attack] or false accusations against us from others [external attack].

The why is because of the devil’s dark and unholy nature [more on that later].

What was God’s response?

Verse 33 – “It is God that justifieth”.  [justifieth definition below]

Strong’s Concordance #1344
dikaioó: to show to be righteous, declare righteous
Part of Speech: Verb
Phonetic Spelling: (dik-ah-yo’-o)
Definition: I make righteous, defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of, acquit, justify; hence: I regard as righteous.

HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 1344 dikaióō (from dikē, “right, judicial-approval”) – properly, approved, especially in a legal, authoritative sense; to show what is right, i.e. conformed to a proper standard (i.e. “upright”).

The believer is “made righteous/justified” (1344 /dikaióō) by the Lord, cleared of all charges (punishment) related to their sins. Moreover, they are justified (1344 /dikaióō, “made right, righteous”) by God’s grace each time they receive (obey) faith (4102 /pístis), i.e. “God’s inwrought persuasion”

Verse 33 – “It is God that justifieth”.

The italicized words were added by the kjv translators, so they have no divine authority.    They should be reversed to make more sense in English.  A question mark and exclamation mark belong at the end of the sentence to see the divine impact of the figures of speech, i.e. the rhetorical questions.

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?  Is it God that justifieth?!

The answer to the first question is: “Nobody!”

The answer to the second question is: “Of course not!”

How can the one who acquits us be the same one who accuses us?  In a court of law, the defense cannot be the prosecution.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Contrast the definition of condemneth with intercession!

Strong’s Concordance #2632 [condemneth]
katakrinó: to give judgment against
Part of Speech: Verb
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ak-ree’-no)
Definition: I condemn, judge worthy of punishment.

HELPS Word-studies
2632 katakrínō(from 2596 /katá, “down, according to” intensifying 2919 /krínō, “judge”) – properly, judge down, i.e. issue a penalty (exactly condemn); to judge someone “decisively (decidedly) as guilty.”

Is mankind guilty?  Absolutely.   Although it’s not our fault, it’s still our problem.

Psalms 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

All mankind has a corrupted bloodstream, courtesy of Adam.

God has already accomplished our redemption, justification, made us righteous and sanctified us through the work of Christ almost 2,000 years ago.

Matthew 27
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that  I have betrayed the innocent blood [Jesus Christ] And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

Romans 5 has an absolutely magnificent explanation and soul – ution!

Romans 5
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are still contrasting the definitions of condemneth with intercession in Romans 8:34.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Strong’s Concordance #1793 [intercession]
entugchanó: to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext. entreat
Part of Speech: Verb
Phonetic Spelling: (en-toong-khan’-o)
Definition: (a) I meet, encounter, hence: (b) I call (upon), make a petition, make suit, supplication.

HELPS Word-studies
1793 entygxánō (from 1722 /en, “in,” which intensifies 5177 /tygxánō, “to obtain by hitting the mark”) – properly, “light upon (meet with), obtain” (LS); “to go and meet a person to converse, consult,” i.e. to intervene (“intersect with”).

The root of 5177 (tygxánō) means “to strike, hit the bulls-eye” (“spot on”). Accordingly, it is used in classical Greek as the antonym of harmartia (“to miss the mark, sin”)

God’s solution to mankind’s guilty blood was spot on.  He hit the bull’s eye with Jesus Christ’s innocent blood.

So here is the better translation:

34 Who is he that condemneth?  Is it Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?!

Who is he that condemneth?  Nobody!

Is it Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?!

Of course not!

Romans 5
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

All of the questions in this 9-step section are answered by a profound rhetorical question, to which the literal answer is a resounding no!

Here is the final version so we can feel the real impact of what God has done for us:

1. What shall we then say to these things?
2. If God be for us, who can be against us?
3. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
4. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?
5. Is it God that justifieth?!
6. Who is he that condemneth?
7. Is it Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?!
8. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
9. Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The number 9 in the bible is the number of finality and judgment.   God’s final judgment is that we are justified in his sight and nothing shall separate us from his perfect and eternal love.

Stay tuned!  In part 2, we are going to see what the 7 attacks against us actually are, how to defeat them and how all of them are intertwined with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid and how God fits into all this.

For a very unique overview of the entire book of Romans that will really open up the book for you, take a look at this: A unique parenthetical overview of Romans

INTRODUCTION

February 16, 2021: this is being updated and is an ongoing project.

Some Christians have at least heard of speaking in tongues, and others are more familiar with it, and some have actually spoken in these foreign languages.

How many Christians actually know any bible verses that document Satan’s attacks against speaking in tongues?

Here are the central verses that document Satan’s 6 attacks against speaking in tongues in the bible:

• Acts 2:13
• Acts 8:17
• Romans 1:18 & 21
• I Corinthians 12:1
• I Corinthians 12:3
• I Corinthians 14:1

But we’re going to look at the subject of speaking in tongues from a very different perspective: that of the spiritual competition we are in.

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

One of the ways to gain better insights into the bible is to classify words.

“Wrestle” is an athletic term and not military, so this sets the correct context, which is also an allegory, defined below:

1. a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
2. a symbolical narrative:

Furthermore, this athletic allegory is also a figure of speech, emphasizing what is most important in the word of God.

Although there are some accurately used military words and imagery in the bible, the overall theme after the day of Pentecost [28A.D.] is that of an athlete.

ATTACK #1: ACTS 2:13

Acts 2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Although punctuation, chapter headings, center references, etc in the bible are man-made, [and therefore do not have any divine authority] its still intriguing that Satan’s very first attack against speaking in tongues in the KJV of the bible just happens to be in the 13th verse of Acts 2.

The #13 in the bible indicates rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration & revolution
“Hence every occurrence of the number thirteen, and likewise of every multiple of it, stamps that with which it stands in connection with rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, or some kindred idea”.

the biblical significance of the number 2
“It is the first number by which we can divide another, and therefore in all its uses we may trace this fundamental idea of division or difference”.

“where man is concerned, this number testifies of his fall, for it more often denotes that difference which implies opposition, enmity, and oppression”.

In verse 13, the word “mocking” comes from the Greek word diachleuazo and is only used twice in the entire bible: here and in Acts 17:32.

So just from a numerical perspective alone, we have in Acts 2:13 rebellion against speaking in tongues, which causes apostasy, corruption and division within the body of Christ.

Coincidence?

Acts 17:32
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

The word “mocked” is the Greek word diachleuazo [some sources say its just chleauzo], which breaks down into the prefix dia and the root word chleuazo.

Definition of Chleuazo:
HELPS Word-studies
5512 xleuázō (from xleuē, “a joke”) – properly, to joke (jest), i.e. to scoff (ridicule) using barbed humor and mocking jeers (used only in Ac 17:32).

Here is the definition of ridicule:

noun
1. speech or action intended to cause contemptuous laughter at a person or thing; derision.

Antonyms
praise.

The fact that the antonym [opposite] of mocking is praise is very significant in light of Acts 2:47 which is the figure of speech called symperasma, a summary and concluding statement for Acts 1:1 to Acts 2:47.

Symperasma is used 8 times in the book of acts and sets up its entire structure.

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 occurred in the open area of the temple in Jerusalem.

Speaking in tongues is praising God.

John 4
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

In verse 23, “in spirit and in truth” is the figure of speech hendiadys, which literally means two for one.   Its referring to rules of grammar where 2 words are used, but only one thing meant.  The first word is a noun [spirit] and the second noun is used as an adjective, describing the first noun.

Thus its true meaning is:  “…shall worship the Father truly by the spirit”.

The spirit is referring to the gift of holy spirit we receive from God when we get born again.

There is only one way to worship God using the gift of holy spirit within us and that is by speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Thus, one aspect of the first attack against speaking in tongues is the concept of contradiction.

Contradiction is one of Satan’s ways of causing:

• confusion
• division
• doubt [1 of the 4 types of weak believing]

Throughout the bible, we can see this pattern: first the truth from God’s word, followed by contradicting lies from Satan.

Here is one example:

John 9
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

34 They [the Pharisees] answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Look at the consequence:

John 9:16
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

James 3:16
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Titus 1
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

In verse 9, the word “gainsayers” comes from the Greek word antilego, meaning “to contradict, especially in a hostile (argumentative) way – i.e. to dispute in order to thwart”.

Antilego is used 11 times in the bible, the number of disorder, disorganization, imperfection, and disintegration.

How incredibly precise and appropriate God’s word is.

Acts 17:32
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead by the power of God is totally unique and unprecedented in the history of mankind, irrefutably marking him the one and only true redeemer.

Romans 1:4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Jesus Christ stands out among the crowd and this makes him a natural target for Satan’s lies, who sows confusion about Jesus Christ’s true identity so people don’t flock to him in droves.

Speaking in tongues is critically important because its proof of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead!

Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Look at the definition of “infallible proofs”!

Strong’s Concordance #5039
tekmérion: a sure sign
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Phonetic Spelling: (tek-may’-ree-on)
Definition: a sign, certain proof.

HELPS Word-studies
5039 tekmerion – properly, a marker (sign-post) supplying indisputable information, “marking something off” as unmistakable (irrefutable). “The word is akin to tekmor a ‘fixed boundary, goal, end’; hence fixed or sure” (WS, 221).

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
that from which something is surely and plainly known; an indubitable evidence, a proof.

Indubitable means: “that cannot be doubted; patently evident or certain; unquestionable”.

God wants us to have absolute certainty regarding the trustworthiness of his word.

When you speak in tongues for the very first time, it takes your belief in God up to the next level.

So this first attack was mocking and despising speaking in tongues in order to stir up confusion and every evil work for the purpose of stopping people from speaking in tongues.

Mocking and despising speaking in tongues contradicts what speaking in tongues is: true spiritual worship and praise unto God and absolute proof that Jesus Christ was the only person in the history of mankind to ever be resurrected from the dead by the power of God.

ATTACK #2: ACTS 8

This attack is not as obvious as the first one.  

We will see that trying to prevent people from speaking in tongues is the hill that Satan is willing to die on…

This is a figure of speech meaning that Satan is willing to give up all other positions except this one.  He will defend this “hill” [position] to the death.

That speaks volumes…

Acts 8
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized [in the name of Jesus Christ, not with water], he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost [spirit] was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Verse 15 has some translations issues, so we need to fix them in order to correctly understand what’s going on.

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

This verse is part of an entire series of Felony Forgeries in the bible known as the Holy Ghost Forgeries.

• the word “the” was added to the KJV of the bible.  It does not occur in the Greek texts from which it was translated as you can see from the screenshot of a Greek interlinear.
• the words “Holy Ghost” are capitalized, indicating it’s God himself when that is entirely inaccurate.    It’s referring to God’s gift of holy spirit within a believer and not God himself.
• Furthermore, this introduces one of the persons of the trinity and the confusion that always goes with it.
• the phrase “Holy Ghost” are the Greek words hagion pneuma, which means “holy spirit”, referring to the gift of holy spirit we receive when we get born again.

So now a much more accurate translation of Acts 8:15 is:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive [the gift of] holy spirit:

Now that we have a better understanding of it, there is one more critical piece of the puzzle to put together and that is the definition of “receive”, which makes all the difference in the world!

The word receive is the Greek word lambano [Strong’s #2983], which means to receive into manifestation.   This refers to manifesting the gift of holy spirit, which is speaking in tongues.

When somebody gets born again, they receive the gift of holy spirit subjectively, for which the Greek word dechomai is used.

The people in Acts 8 had subjectively received [dechomai] the gift of holy spirit already.  They were already born again of God’s gift of holy spirit, the spiritual incorruptible seed, but they had not received [lambano] the gift of holy spirit into manifestation.  In other words, they had not spoken in tongues after being born again of God’s spirit.

That was a problem because this is the first time that the first century believers hadn’t spoken in tongues after being born again.

It was such a big problem that the apostles Peter and John were called in from Samaria to Jerusalem to get the problem resolved.  This was a distance of about 40 – 70 miles, [depending on the exact location], and traveled by camel or on foot.

Acts 8:17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Just as in verse 15, we have the exact same 3 problems:

• If you look at a Greek interlinear from which the king james version was translated, you can clearly see that the word “the” was added by the translators, which is actually a trinitarian forgery.
• Second, the words “Holy Ghost” are capitalized, indicating it’s God himself when that is entirely inaccurate.    It’s referring to God’s gift of holy spirit and not God himself.   The mistranslation and capitalization of hagion pneuma into “Holy Ghost”, plus adding the word “the” adds a person of the trinity into the mix, further confusing the matter. 
• Third, the words  “Holy Ghost” are the Greek words hagion pneuma, which means “holy spirit”, referring to the gift of holy spirit we receive when we get born again.

So here is the much more accurate rendering of this verse:

Acts 8:17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received holy spirit.

The word “received” is again the Greek word lambano, which means to receive into manifestation: i.e. they spoke in tongues.

How did the apostles get the people to speak in tongues?

First they prayed for them in verse 15.  Then in verse 17 they operated the manifestations of holy spirit called: word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits.

Translation: God showed them what was going on spiritually and they cast devil spirits out of the people in the name of Jesus Christ.

This is the hill Satan decided to “die” on.  He was willing to let everything else “slide”.  He was willing to compromise in every area but this one.

His last stand against the believers was to prevent them from speaking in tongues with devil spirit power!

That speaks volumes.

How do we know they cast devil spirits out of people?  Look at the context.

Acts 8
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.

Philip spoke the word of God and he cast devil spirits out of people.

I John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Acts 8
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

Its very significant that the root word “sorcery” is used twice and the word “bewitched” is also used twice: both pairs are mentioned in verses 9 & 11.

Simon was operating devil spirits, to deceive the people.

This is the root cause of the problem.   The word “sorcery” in verse 9 and the word “sorceries” in verse 11 have the exact same root word – magos [Strong’s #3097], which is used to describe a false prophet named Elymas in Acts 13:6 & 8, who was another sorcerer.

It was the operation of devil spirits that blocked the believers from operating the power of God by speaking in tongues.

Many got the devil spirits cast out of them just by the preaching of the word of God, but these particular devil spirits wouldn’t budge.

So when the big guns were called in [the apostles], they cast those devil spirits out in the name of Jesus Christ and the believers were able to carry out God’s commandment of speaking in tongues and receive the 18 different blessings that come with it.

I John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

ATTACK #3: ROMANS 1:18 & 21

Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

There are many ways to glorify God. Corinthians talks about us being living epistles.

We can certainly glorify God by our speech, actions, attitudes, material things, how we handle our finances, etc.

Speaking in tongues is the only way we can do this directly with the gift of holy spirit.

John 4
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

“when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth” is the figure of speech hendiadys and means that we must worship him truly in the spirit, which means to actually use our gift of holy spirit.

The only way we can do that is to speak in tongues.

Acts 1:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

The key to understanding this verse is the word “hold”:

It’s the Greek word katecho [Strong’s # 2722] which means to hold down, to suppress.

The very first attack in Romans 1 was to gradually and subtly mention speaking in tongues less and less over a long period of time [suppression of the truth] and at the same time, throw in distractions, which are further categorized as pressures and pleasures.

This got the believers away from worshiping and glorifying God like it says in verse 21.

Another aspect of the suppression of truth related to speaking in tongues is how many christians and denominations are aware of, understand and celebrate the day of Pentecost that happened in 28A.D.?

Extremely extremely few.

Yet its one of the most important days in the history of mankind!

One time I talked to a girl who was in a baptist church and she never even heard of the day of Pentecost, much less knew anything about it, yet it has been in our bibles for almost 2,000 years.

This is the suppression of the truth in unrighteousness.

ATTACK #4: I CORINTHIANS 12:1

I Corinthians 12:1
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

In verse 1, the word “spiritual” comes from the Greek word pneumatikos [Strong’s #4152] and basically means spiritual things or matters.

Many people say that speaking in tongues is one of the gifts of the spirit and you just have to wait for it.

Let’s think this through logically and we’ll see why this teaching is one of Satan’s many clever tricks.

They say its a gift as opposed to earning it, like wages are.

So if it truly is a gift, then you have no control over whether or not God gives it to you, just as you have no control over whether John Doe gives you a present or not.

Therefore, whether or not you receive the gift of tongues or not is not within the realm of believing, but is transferred over to the category of hope, which, by definition is always future.

Romans 8
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Hope is for future things, not presently available.  Believing is for things that can be brought to pass in your life in the present.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Hebrews 11 is packed full of great believers in the Old Testament who did many great things by their believing.

Hebrews 11:11
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

The word “faith” comes from the Greek word pistis and is much more accurately translated believing.

So if you think that speaking in tongues is a gift from God that you just have to wait for, then you will never receive it because you can actually only hope it comes to pass instead of being able to actually believe to bring it to pass now.

And that’s exactly where Satan wants you to be: to hopelessly go in circles for the rest of your life for something that the devil knows you will never receive.

Why?

I John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Do you think that Satan, God’s enemy, wants you [his enemy too!] to operate the power of God in your life that is much more powerful than himself???

Of course not.

Why?

Look at the powerful threat you could be to him!

Ephesians 1
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working [energizing] of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought [energized] in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Speaking in tongues is proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the one who defeated the devil, so why would he want to be reminded of his defeat???

We are far above all the devil spirit powers of the world!

That is why there is the ungodly teaching in the world that speaking in tongues is a gift: Satan wants all the christians to run in circles of despair, hoping for something that will never come to pass in their lives.

Unless they discover the truth!

I Corinthians 12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

God calls speaking in tongues a manifestation of the spirit.

The word “manifestation” comes from the Greek root word 5319 phaneróō (from 5457 /phṓs, “light”) – properly, illumine, make manifest (visible); (figuratively) make plain, in open view; to become apparent (“graspable”).

That’s right: the root word of that is phos – light.  Whenever a believer speaks in tongues, he is blasting out God’s light, which dispels the devil’s darkness.

Furthermore, let’s look at this from a different angle entirely.

If God gives me the gift of tongues and word of wisdom, but he doesn’t give you any of the nine gifts of the spirit, then he has violated his own word because he has become a respecter of persons.

Proverbs 24:23
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 2:11
For there is no respect of persons with God.

James 2:9
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

So speaking in tongues is a manifestation that a believer can operate anytime they want to and not something that they should hope for.

I Corinthians 14:32
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

As sons of God, we have 100% control of the holy spirit within us, which includes manifesting it in the form of speaking in tongues, which is shining God’s spiritual light.

So don’t let anyone convince you that you have to wait for one of the gifts of holy spirit to hit you!  Every born-again Christian has all 9 manifestations of holy spirit built into that incorruptible seed within.

ATTACK #5: I CORINTHIANS 12:3

I Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

We have the same problems with this verse as with the others: “Holy Ghost” should be translated “holy spirit”, referring to the gift of holy spirit within each believer, the spiritual incorruptible seed of Christ within.

The phrase “but by the Holy Ghost” has the word “the” added to the Greek texts.

So a much more accurate translation would be:

I Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by holy spirit.

“speaking by the Spirit of God” is speaking in tongues, so when this verse said ” no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by holy spirit” is saying that no Christian can really say that Jesus is Lord except by speaking in tongues because it takes a higher level of knowledge, believing, commitment and spiritual maturity.

Anybody can say that they are a Christian, but the only way to actually prove it is by the irrefutable evidence of speaking in tongues.

Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Now into the details of the fourth attack…

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:”.

Why would God give the apostle Paul the revelation that the believers were not cursing Jesus when they spoke in tongues?

Because that’s the lie that had infiltrated, contaminated and dominated their culture.  It was believed that if you spoke in tongues, you were cursing Jesus!

However, there is a big controversy regarding speaking in tongues, with many divergent opinions and beliefs about it.

Here is a partial list of the lies and distortions about speaking in tongues:

• It died with the first century apostles
• It’s of the devil
• It’s one of the 9 gifts of the spirit
• Some people have seen people speak in tongues while handling poisonous snakes
• Some people have seen christians get slain in the spirit or rolling on the floor while speaking in tongues
• others have walked into a room and seen everybody speaking in tongues all at once

Ultimately, that had to have been inspired and orchestrated by the devil for the purpose of deterring Christians from speaking in tongues.

It had the secondary consequence of corrupting the attitude towards speaking in tongues in the minds of the believers from such an honorable act as praising God into cursing Jesus.

Psalm 40:5
Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

God’s wonderful works can’t even be numbered!

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

The idea that speaking in tongues is calling Jesus accursed is a lie, and lies can only come from the devil, who is the originator of lies! [John 8:44].

The heathen would sometimes curse their gods for various reasons and this got associated with speaking in tongues, contaminating and corrupting Christianity.

Overall, this was a consequence of the Corinthian believers not living their sonship right of sanctification [holiness], which is being separate from the world, uncontaminated.

II Corinthians 6
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I Corinthians 1
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

This was the first of 8 steps down a dark, confusing path of deception and error that degraded Bruce Jenner, from a gold medal Olympian, to a transvestite.

Hard to see, the dark side is…

ATTACK #6: I CORINTHIANS 14:1

I Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

In verse 1, once again, the word gifts is in italics, indicating that it was deliberately added to the bible by the King James translators.

Therefore, if it is removed, then the word of God remains unchanged.

Once again, the word “spiritual” is the exact same Greek word for “spiritual” in I Corinthians 12:1 that we have handled already and it simply means spiritual things or spiritual matters and NOT gifts.