and do not give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:27 NASB Opportunity – “Opportunity” isn’t quite what the Greek text implies. Paul’s word is topos, i.e., place. It’s a topographical term. “Don’t give the devil any space.” “In common usage this word means a. ‘territory,’ ‘land,’ ‘area,’ ‘locality,’ b. ‘district,’ ‘town,’ ‘dwelling place,’ and c. ‘place’ in…
“When the unclean spirit comes out of [a]a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it then says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than…
having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Colossians 2:14-15 NASB The rulers and authorities – The Midwestern Baptist…
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB Spiritual forces of wickedness – Churches before the Reformation were visual reminders of the power of Satan and the specter of Hell. When you entered, you almost always found something…
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB Malicious gossips– Paul chooses a very interesting word, a word we probably couldn’t imagine would be translated as “malicious gossips.” The word is diaboloi. It is the plural, nominative adjective of diabolos, the word that obviously is often translated “devil.” Is Paul suggesting…
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune. 1 Kings 5:4 Adversary – As I travel the world, I am privileged to observe first-hand the incredible diversity of culture. From Asia to Africa, from Europe to Central America, each group seems to have a…
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 2 Timothy 3:3 NASB Malicious gossips – Paul chooses a very interesting word, a word we probably couldn’t imagine would be translated as “malicious gossips.” The word is diaboloi. It is the plural, nominative adjective of diabolos, the word that obviously is often translated “devil.”…
