Bible Discussion Thread

Context and identification of individual or group being addressed in any chapter or Book in God's Word is key to determine

specifically who God is speaking to. All Scripture was preserved for us, but not all verses are written to us. The promise, "no weapon formed against thee shall prosper......" was a promise of God specific to Israel the nation and people. The "weapons" being spoken of are literal, physical weapons of war. Notice the references to "blowing the coals in the fire......

bringing forth an instrument of his work.... and the word "smith" as in metal or blacksmith.(these are implements of war).

If this is a promise to all believers and applies some spiritual meaning to be a protection from harm from weapons or attacks as a believers claim to it, thru the finished work of Salvation, then where is the application to those who were/are beheaded for their faith and refusal to convert to Islam?!!!! Why are we then exhorted as Christians to, "put on the whole armor of God"( Eph. 6:11-18)? Because the weapons here in Ephesians are our weapons for battle, rather than some twist of a promise of God to Israel mis-applied to us(the Church).

Indeed. As Paul aptly wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds); Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Our concern now is in the spiritual realm, doing battle with the enemy of our souls. What happens to our physical life as a result of the enemy's or his cohorts' attacks, matters little; "whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." ( Romans 14:8). And this is the joy & confidence we have in Christ Who has gone on before us & before Whom nothing escapes or is forgotten. We can rejoice in all circumstances, for our names are written in Heaven.

Thanks Chris! God bless you.

Jim The analogy in Ephesians is in regard to the way Roman armour covered a soldiers body, whole armour

of God. Stand with shield Gods Word which belief system in Gods word utilized. Also breastplate of righteousness

which is of God in Christ, loins seat of physical prowess girt with truth,feet shod sure footed with gospel good

news Gods peace, then the shield of faith THE FAITH of Jesus Christ by the spirit to quench drown or put out

all the fiery darts lies of the prince of the power of the air, then helmet of salvation soundness of mind with the

sword two edge which is Gods Word. Also jim the term kill in old testament meant murder to take innocent

life, it is not evil to kill in self defense. Many times David gave the order to kill unbelievers because God knew

they would never believe like philistines and other tribes that worshipped other gods.