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Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/action/view/entry_id/1010123
Rated: E · Book · Religious · #2245288
Bible studies
#1010123 added May 17, 2021 at 4:36pm
Restrictions: None
Armor of God - Spiritual Teamwork
Dear Heavenly Father,
Say what you want us to hear. Give me your wisdom to share with others and to explain your Word in a way that makes sense and is easy to understand. Open our hearts and minds to embrace your truth. Thank you for your wisdom.
In Christ’s name I ask it,
Amen


Ephesians 6:18b... and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

I felt led by the Holy Spirit to add a study in this week on Spiritual Teamwork. So we will extend the Armor of God study into the first week of June. I have updated the Bible Study schedule plan on the forum page to reflect this also.

Jude 1:20-21

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.


The Most Holy Faith


What does it mean to build ourselves up on our most Holy Faith? I believe it tells us how to do that in verses 20 and 21. Building yourselves up is kind of self-explanatory I think, but verse 21 goes on to say on your most Holy Faith. I get the mental picture of Faith in Christ being our firm foundation.

1 Peter 2:1-8

We build ourselves up by praying in the power of the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God, and looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. While it is important that we build up our own faith in Christ. We need to help build up the faith and relationship with Jesus in other people too.

Building Each Other Up


πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…
You can do it! Have faith! Pray a little prayer! Call upon the Lord! Praise God! God is Faithful! God is kind! Glory to the God in the Highest! Hallelujah! Pursue Peace! There is joy in Salvation! Blessed be the name of the Lord, who is worthy to be praised! God is so Good! What an awesome God we serve! Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! Who can be compared unto Him? Our God is like no other! He is the living God! He is upon His thrown! He is God above all gods! He created the heavens and the earth! Cry out to Jesus! God keeps my tears in a bottle. In his presence, there is joy! The joy of the Lord is my strength! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! All things work together for our good because we have been called according to his purpose!
πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…πŸ¦…

We need to hear those things from others. When our faith is week, we can build each other up in with encouragement. The Bible says we are to pray for one another, build each other up, encourage one another, confess our faults to one another, provoke each other in love and good works, be kind to one another, and edify each other. We are to be unified into one body, the body of Christ. We are to fellowship with other believers. We need each other. We are a team, a family.
Psalm 133:1

It would be foolish for a soldier to try to fight another entire army all by himself. He would not stand a chance for victory. God did not design us to fight all our battles on our own. He has provided us with resources to help us along the way. Other believers in Christ is one of those resources, along with the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the armor of God.
Hebrews 10:22-25

We are told there will be:
Suffering, 1 Peter 4:12-14
Persecution, John 15:20 and 2 Timothy 3:12
Trials of all kindsJames 1:2-4

We need grace-filled reminders. Without encouragement from others, we will feel unloved, unimportant, useless, and forgotten. Being united involves genuine care and concern for one another.
Hebrews 13:12-15

Esteem Others Higher Than Yourself


Have favorable thoughts towards others in your circle of influence. Regard them highly. Give them your greatest respect.
Philippians 2:3

Speak Wisely


Think before you speak. Praise the good in others. Avoid confrontation. Find ways to make it better together. Give everyone their due respect. Humble yourself.
Psalm 37:30-31
Be Encouraging


Encouragement is an expression of sincere hope in the future.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Be Quick To Forgive


Forgiveness relieves us from guilt and shame, and keeps bitterness from taking root in our heart.
Ephesians 4:26
Ephesians 4:31-32
Colossians 3:13

Be Understanding


Be an active listener. Ask questions to gain insight. Accept what the speaker is saying. Do not condemn. If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.
Proverbs 4:7

Seek Peace


The Bible tells us to seek peace with all men with everything that lies within us. We must pursue peace.
Romans 12:18
Romans 14:19

Do Not Complain and Dispute With Others.
Philippians 2:14

Envy and strife lead to evil and confusion. The fruits of Righteousness are planted in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:14-18

Do Not Gossip


Don't spread rumors. Keep the secrets of others to yourself.
Proverbs 11:13
Proverbs 26:20

Share Your Knowledge of Christ With Others


Sharing our knowledge with others helps us learn. It help us discover and understand interesting things. It helps us remember what we have learned. Sharing knowledge improves conversations and edifies one another.
Proverbs 20:15
Proverbs 9:9

We also build ourselves up in the faith by hearing the Word of God. We can read it and share it with others so they can hear it too. Our faith is also built up when we hear it taught or preached from other people.
Romans 10:17

Stay Humble


Pride comes before the fall. If we remain humble before God and our fellow man, God will lift us up when the time is right. Cast all your cares upon God because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:5-7

Be Positive


This is actually a Biblical principle. I have known some very negative Christians. Negativity hurts your witness. It pulls down. It does not build up. Remaining positive is good for you and everyone around you.
Ephesians 5:19-20
Philippians 4:8

Be Patient


We must be patient with ourselves, others, and God. They say that good things come to those who wait.
Galations 6:9
Roman 12:12

While we are being patient, this means we are slow to anger. The anger of man does not produce God's righteousness. Being angry does not build anyone up.
James 1:19-20

Celebrate The Success Of Others


We can celebrate the success of others even when we wish the success was our own. By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can celebrate and encourage the achievements of others.
Luke 15:4-10

Praying In The Power Of The Holy Spirit


We need to commit to pray for others. We should have a desire to grow our understanding of God. We should be motivated by passionate service. God takes the requests/desires of the righteous seriously when they pray according to His will. Prayer is one way we can get to know the love of our Savior and helps bring us all closer together in the love of Christ.

In prayer, we:
*Discern the will of God
*Contemplate His goodness
*Seek reconciliation with God
*Intercede for others
*Bring the concerns of this world before God

We can pray for the spiritual blessings of others:
1. We can pray for them to have faith.
Luke 22:31-32
2. We can pray for them not to enter into temptation.
Luke 22:40
3. We can pray for our fellow Christians to be unified.
John 17:11
4. We can pray that others will be sanctified.
John 17:17
5. We can pray for the salvation of others.
Romans 10:1
2 Peter 3:9
6. We can pray that others would stay on the right path.
2 Corinthians 13:7
7. We can pray for others to be filled with the fullness of God and many other spiritual blessings.
Ephesians 3:14-19

Keeping Ourselves In The Love Of God


Jesus commanded us to love one another. Agape love is a self-sacrificing, thoughtful, and purposeful love. This is the way Jesus loves us, and He wants us to love others the same way.
John 13:34-35

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives the perfect definition of love at its finest.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Looking For The Mercy Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Unto Eternal Life


We need to express what is on our hearts in a way that blesses others. We need to bless others even when they curse us. We need to show mercy and compassion to our fellow human beings.
Matthew 5:7
Romans 12:14

If you truly want to make a difference in the world, build others up. Don't pull them down. Christians should come together as a team to build each other up and lead others into relationship with Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-3

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. – William A. Ward

In closing:
God is not a God of confusion. He is a God of peace. Peace is not confusion and confusion is not peace. Our spiritual gifts are to be used to build others up in Christ Jesus. They are to be used for edification.
1 Corinthians 14:26
1 Corinthians 14:33

Does your words or actions edify and build others up, or do they break them down? Do they cause confusion or peace? We need to think before we speak or act. Everything needs to be done in decency and in order. Spiritual gifts are not to be used for showing off and bringing attention to ourselves. Satan will use confusion to discourage the church.
1 Corinthians 14:40

A built up church is full of love for one another, serving their community, using their spiritual gifts to edify others, and are well-trained in the Word of God.

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