This “word” is a continuation of yesterday’s entitled “Warfare.”
Ephesians 6:17 - 18 (YLT) and the helmet of the salvation receive, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the saying of God, 18 through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and in regard to this same, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The Young’s Literal translation above tells us to “receive” the helmet of salvation as opposed to “take” in the King James. I like that. We don’t have any power, or even an inclined will to take something that precious and good, although I know what the translators were meaning. Still, if we are going to be effective in the spiritual battle in which we are engaged we must receive the precious gift of God’s Son, salvation.
Ephesians 6:17 - 18 (KJV) 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Another difference between the Young’s Literal and the typical rendering is the use of the comma just before verse eighteen. The King James does come the closest with its use of the colon, but most translations use a period and even a new paragraph distancing the two thoughts.
Notice what happens when you consider the two thoughts together, the latter being a continuation and expansion on the former:
Take (or receive) the saying of God (literally, the utterance) through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit,
To me that says, unless we are praying in the Spirit we will not get or understand, what God is saying.
The Holy Spirit forbids or prompts when to speak the word of God (Acts 4:31, 16:6), gives us the words to say (Luke 12:12). The Holy Spirit will also teach us all things and bring to our remembrance the word (John 14:26).
This says to me, that we must be in tune with the Spirit of God if we are going to be of any effect in the spiritual battles we are faced with every day. We must confess our sin, admit our weakness, ask God for His strength, mentally and physically, and for His guidance and direction in our lives.
PRAYING ALWAYS…about everything, small to large decisions
with ALL PRAYER and supplication…
- Public prayer
- Private prayer
- General prayer
- Specific prayer
WATCHING for what God is doing in regard to your prayer.
With PERSEVERANCE…not giving up on your praying and not giving up watching what God is doing in regard to your prayers.
The battle is real. Be prepared and be effective.
SEEK FIRST THE
