Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, beautiful people.

At least you and I, as curriers of the Biblical Gospel, are called upon to have beautiful feet—“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom. 10:15). Such feet (representing such engagement) cause one to be beautiful in His sight no matter what one looks like to others.

Here’s a main topic of discussion that captivated Becki and me this morning: HOW DO WE BEST UNDERSTAND WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR A HUMAN HEART BEING LIKE GOOD SOIL THAT RECEIVES THE SPIRIT-WORD OF GOD SO AS TO SEE IT GROW AND THRIVE IN THE ONGOING PRODUCTION OF GOOD FRUIT? Of course, the parable contained in today’s reading is the basis for the topic. And, of course, you will not be surprised at our general conclusion: A HEART AFTER GOD is our best answer—or at least a heart that turns to God with a willingness to develop a permanent HEART AFTER GOD.

I need to get ready for some major tree work—using the boom truck—probably some serious climbing.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

If we have ever been given insight into the nature and reality of spiritual warfare, we have it here. Believing that Jesus is Who He and the Bible claims He is, it only stands to reason that His view and understanding of the realm of spiritual evil is accurate. Here we are informed concerning the universal aim and strategy of Satan and his forces. Any time the Word of God is planted in a person’s heart, the enemy will do everything possible to render it ineffective. Very often he accomplishes this not necessarily by removing the Word altogether, but by removing its effectiveness with neutralizing additives.

If we accept this as a true description of the battle, we will have little difficulty understanding what needs to be done in order to root out the enemy’s strongholds and pockets of influence in our own lives. It requires serious inspection of all thoughts…maybe we could call it serious mind control. Paul describes the basic need in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

While this spiritual battle is universal in the sense that virtually no one is exempt, the actual combat is very much personal and individual. But praise God that He does not abandon His people to face the enemy alone. Jesus said, “All power is given to me…Go therefore…I am with you” (Matthew 28:18-20). John encourages fellow believers saying, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). Paul testifies, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13). Paul also discloses, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:10-12).