Reference: "Life in the Spirit", by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones; Eph. 5:18-6:9
| Doctrine/Principles: Eph. 1:1-4:21 |
| Application/Practice: Eph. 4:22-32 |
| Text: Eph. 5:22-33 |
God's Objectives
( Hosea 4:6-7 ; Matt. 6:9-13 ) Ignorance allows Satan to control our lives, to control our families, and to establish his kingdom of evil on this earth through us; whereas, God has given us His authority to establish His kingdom and His will upon this earth.
( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ; Heb. 5:14-16 ; James 1:2-4 ) Through skillful use of God's Word, by faith in His word, we become overcomers. No longer controlled by our genealogy, environment, nor by the circumstances of life, but we become complete, controlled by the Spirit, lacking in nothing.
( Prov. 1:7-9 ) Accordingly, parents are to study God's principles, to be examples, to train children likewise, to multiply righteousness and to exercise dominion over this earth system. This experience qualifies us to rule and reign in eternity.
( Gen. 1:28 ; Gen. 2:24 ; Gal. 6:1,4-5 ) Family is the basic training unit, an excellent classroom for teaching, a birthplace for creativity, a formation center for human relationships, a shelter in a storm, and a perpetual relay unit of truth passed on from one generation to the next. Therefore, the relationship of husband and wife is critical to establish God's truths as demonstrated in family living.
( Malachi 45-6 ; Eph. 6:11-13 ) For congregations, for the Body of Christ, to increase their abilities to stand, holy and strong, families must be restored according to God's principles, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Perspectives For Biblical Change
The following principles are foundational to our Christian walk, and must underline all our thoughts and reasonings:
( John 14:21 ; Matt. 21:28-31 ) By an act of our will, we do what God's Word says regardless of our feelings.
( John 3:21 ; Matt. 7:24 ) By deeds, not by feelings, we reveal our love. Remember, the old self gets its life from feelings (a fertile area in which Satan receives his food). Give him no ground.
( John 14:27 ; John 15:11 ; John 16:22-24 ) Our peace and joy are not dependent upon others, on things, on possessions or on circumstances of life but only on doing what God says to do.
( Ezek. 18:20 ) It is not my responsibility, but God's, to cause change in others.
( Matt. 7:1-5 ) The only authority I have to judge is to judge and to change myself first: then, I can help and influence others.
( Rom. 8:28 ) Regardless of results or what others do, if I biblically respond, God will turn the situation to my advantage.
( 2 Tim. 2:23-26 ; Deut. 8:2 ) Irritation is a signal that I must change; the situation or the other person does not create my spirit, but only reveals what is in my heart.
Work Out Your Salvation (Phil. 2:12-13)
Counseling Exercises
Becoming a doer of the Word requires:
Devotions: Daily contact with God the Father for spiritual life and sustenance. ( Matt. 4:4 ; John 15:5 ) See Section A.12, “Anchor Posts” .
Changes: Daily examining one's walk and talk to insure a biblical response to life's confrontations ( Eph. 4:22-24 ; 1 Cor. 11:26-32 )
Actions: Separate self from the world and pursue the Lord's plan for your life in losing self by meeting needs of others, beginning with your family, and then the widow, the orphan, etc. ( 1 John 2:15-17 ; Heb. 10:25 ; James 1:26-27 )
Recommended Reading: Unit 1 of Strengthening Your Marriage [15][Mack1].