“…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
As he was about to leave the disciples Jesus emphasized to them to wait upon the Holy Spirit. “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about” ( Acts 1:4). The Holy Spirit was to be their companion. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” ( John 14:26).
Upon recepit the Holy Spirit enabled Believers share the Gospel bringing along certain characteristics, one of which is gentleness. Writing to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul elaborated. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” ( Galatians 5: 22-23).
It is important here to reflect on the aspect of gentleness. Much as the disciples were to wade into enemy territory with the message of salvation, Christ warned, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” ( Mathew 10:14). Hence to the amazement of many the Christian faith grew being shared by meek followers of Christ, long before it was infilitrated with impostors intent on using force for conversions through crusades.
But the Holy Spirit is of a gente nature. This is why when we sin, his ways is to bring inner conviction, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” ( Acts 16:13).
The aspect of gentleness cant be overstated. As Believers it is quite clear never to use force or a particular type of militancy to win others over, because that is not the nature of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through the power of the Holy Spirit you have given us the fruit of gentleness, to enable us carry out your work, and so help me reflect that gentleness in all I do, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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18/05/2024 - 19/05/2024 All day“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Perhaps one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible with enduring lessons is where Moses pleads to Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Instead Pharaoh dared Moses if he had the power as that of a king. Challenged to “perform a miracle” Moses turned to Aaron who threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7: 9-12).
What we see here is the presence of occult powers in high places, as is true even today. A common mistake by some is to deny the existence of the occult behind certain thrones or power centers, especially in instances where we find those putting on a genteel manner of social respectability. There are also those who through their education and confined exposure to the spirit realm of things, doubt the existence of occult powers. The reality is that in the world we live in the enemy is much at work. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In this passage we see that while Pharaoh did release his snakes the staff God had placed in the hands of his messenger, Moses, was far greater and swallowed all. Here is the point. As believers we do have a far greater and mighty power to protect us from any attacks of the enemy. It is the blood of the lamb. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11).
Today whatever snakes you may encounter from anywhere be assured that you have a far greater power than of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus. As His word says, “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy by the blood of the lamb, this I pray in Jesus’name.
