Friday, July 22, 2016

Deaf And Dumb Spirits - Part 2

Some more thoughts about the passage we looked at yesterday.

This verse is so loaded...

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" - 2 Timothy 2:25 KJV

'Oppose Themselves' is one Greek word in the middle voice (so the person is doing the action to themselves). The word is antidiatithemi (Strong's G475).

anti = against or instead of
diatithemi = arranging or disposing of one's own affairs.

People need hope. They don't dare to arrange their own affairs if they lack hope. They stop believing that something wonderful can happen.

A meek instructor creates an opening where God might 'give the gift of repentance'. In other words they get a glimpse of Him while they are still stiff-necked and that glimpse might result in a turned to God by acknowledging the truth.

Jesus is a meek instructor.

"And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, ''If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' " - Mark 9:21-24 ESV

Jesus' faith confession set the stage for the healing.

The father was so overwhelmed by the circumstance that he was at his wits end. He did the right thing. He went and got Jesus.

I also saw this...

The father said, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute." - Mark 9:17b ESV

But Jesus said, "You mute and deaf spirit..." - Mark 9:25b ESV

The father thought his child could not speak but Jesus saw that he could not hear or speak. Communication was not getting in or out but Jesus words pierced the darkness of the father's life and of the son's life.

When a meek man or woman speaks the words are powerful. They are not born of self-interest for personal gain. God teaches the meek person and gives them something to say. The meek person discerns.

Don't we see people around us who have great potential but they get in their own way. They oppose themselves.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV

Meek warfare casts down knowledge that contradicts faith.

God, Make us stubborn about Your ability to heal and redeem. Teach us. Fill us with hope and give us words of hope. Open our ears to hear grace so that we will have a faith confession.

All redemption is possible for them that believe. Everything that has been sold has been bought back by the blood of Jesus. Every place where we put our foot is ours by faith. Meekness declares the eternal victory. Meekness glorifies God.

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