This Sunday we will be speaking about another armament of the Christian -the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). In our teaching, we'll be looking at the issue of “illumination”...which every Christian needs and is provided for by God the Spirit. Simply put, illumination in the spiritual sense is “turning on the light” of understanding when it comes to spiritual truth. There is no question that God desires us to accurately understand what He has given us. Words have meaning, and we must pay attention to the details in those words. If, however, we stop there, we simply have an academic understanding of facts or philosophies, which do no one any good. The Spirit of God, who enlightens us to hear and understand God's Word, then takes that knowledge and guides us in living it. Romans 8:14 says “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The illuminating and leading work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a confirmation that we are indeed children of God.

This is what the Apostle Paul was getting at when he wrote:
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the depths graciously given to us by God, 13 of which depths we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual depths with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the depths of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually examined. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

There are two ways Christians are “illuminated:”

1) Studying the word of God...not just for information...but meditating on the Word and asking the question “what is God revealing to ME personally?” Illumination always leads to repentance and action. We pray for the Spirit's insights in our individual lives.

2) God has ordained and gifted pastors and teachers to provide spiritual insight and illumination...”so that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by emotions and carried about by every wind of doctrine...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14-15)

My prayer for you and me this day is this: Lord, we pray for illuminating insight into Your word. Keep us personally in Your word. May it be our highest priority as we begin our days. Provide for us pastors and teachers that are faithful to Your word and endowed with truthful insights to teach us and show us Your truth. For these things we commit ourselves. Teach us the deep things God wants us to know and live. Amen.

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.