The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it?  Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

Romans Chapter 12

"Practical Application, as Regards to God, and Man."

Simplicity does not mean that you take a few slogans, and that is it; simplicity is God's plan of salvation, from Adam through all generations of that Adamic family, " 'eth-ha adham" (" 'eth-ha adham" and it means this one man in particular. and his help meet Eve, who God formed as described in Genesis 2:7), to the child that would come through that family, who is Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son in the flesh, born to the virgin Mary who was of pure  " 'eth-ha adham" and his help meed Eve pedigree.  (That is the reason for Noah's Flood; when there were only 8 pure pedigree individuals left in the world (Noah and 7 members of his family) God brought on Noah's Flood to preserve that pure pedigree from contamination by Satan's fallen angel blood in the part of the world where " 'eth-ha adham" and his help meed Eve lived,)  Simplicity follows that plan clear through to the last verse of Revelation, that time when we are with all offices of the Godhead throughout eternity. Simplicity is teaching the flow of the Word so that it becomes understandable to you on what ever level you are on, and not just a mixture of sayings like the other world religions.

Now in Romans 12 we leave Paul's teaching of doctrine of the ages, and enter into the study of practical living for man. In verses one and two Paul presented this instruction with regards to God, and then from the third verse, and continuing through Romans 15:7 Paul is giving us the guidelines for practical living that we ought to apply to our own lives, as part of the body of Christ.

The Companion Bible gives us an outline of this portion dealing with Practical living as regards to man.

A. Romans 12:3-8; The brethren.

B. Romans 12:9-21; Social relationships.

C. Romans 13:1-7; Civil relationships.

D. Romans 13:8-14; Social relationships.

E. Romans 14:1 - 15:7; The brethren.

This is Paul's advise from our heavenly Father as to how we should get along with the brethren, in our social relationships, and then in chapter thirteen Paul tells us of our duties under civil relationships. Then Paul goes back to repeat our responsibilities under social relationships, before ending with our standing before our brethren in the Lord.

This is the message from God of how He expects us to get along while living in this flesh body and getting along with others, not only with the brethren, but also the respect we give within our civil communities, in obedience to the law. Our brethren are our brothers and sisters in Christ They are our spiritual family, and Paul is telling us how to get along with each other, even socially.

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Paul is saying, I appeal to you fellow Christians, by all the mercies that God has extended to each of us in His grace; that we commit our lives to God as a living sacrifice. A dead sacrifice is of no earthly or heavenly good to the Father, but the "living sacrifice" is how we live our lives each day of our lives. It is shown in the words we say and the kindness that we show one another Those words and acts become our living sacrifice unto the Lord. To be holy and acceptable unto God can only come by our individual study of His Word, and knowing exactly what is acceptable to Him. In the next three chapters Paul will instruct us as to what is holy and acceptable to Him in our reasonable service to Him.

The "living sacrifice" includes all the duties that are expected of us in our relationship to the Father. We accept those duties by our own free will, we have accepted Jesus Christ and individually have come into the family of God. Paul is telling us that as a family member, the family expects us to represent family well, especially the Head of that family, our Heavenly Father. We are to set a example, whereby all people will see our lives and know that we are Christians by our holy living and conversation.

If it gets to the point where you have to tell someone that you are a Christian because they just can't see it in your life, spiritually you are in trouble, and it is time to take a close look at yourself.

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

"This world" doesn't mean the ground that we walk on, but in the Greek tongue "world" is "aion", the world society, and the way that the world does things. We are not to conform to the pattern, or fashion that is set by the world standards for our lives, because the one that sets those standards is the prince of this world, Satan.

We are not to conform to those things that the world considers its way of doing business, of bribery, stealing, lying, and you can probably run the list as long as I can, but those things are of Satan. When you become a new creature in Christ, not only your soul and spirit become changed, but you are to transform, or change your minds also. That means the way that you think and say things, and the standards that you set for yourselves. Upon repentance of your sins and your belief in Jesus Christ, even your goals change. All those things that once were important are just not that important any more. Then what is important are the things that are important to our heavenly Father.

God's "Will" is given to us through His Word by the prophets, disciples, and even through His own words while He walked on this earth. That is His Will, and the Will of God is perfect. When you strive to live within the Will of God in all that you do and say, then you are in His perfect Will. It doesn't mean that you won't fall short, for all men and women in the flesh bodies will fall short, but that is what the freedom that we have in Christ is all about. When we sin and we repent those sins to Him "in Jesus' name", then He is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is a daily thing, it is also hourly and to that very moment that you are living, for it is our way of life, totally committed to living our lives as a "living sacrifice unto God".

Your "transforming" takes place within your mind and not your spirit, for God does the transforming there. It becomes your "duty" change your mind, and this is done by seeking the knowledge of God. You can only renew your mind when the knowledge of God's Word is placed there, and you place it there when you get into His holy Word and study it.

Then you become a "sacrifice" for God, and as a sacrifice, it is not for your pleasure that the sacrifice is made, but the one that the sacrifice is made to. As we live in our local communities, there are many different local customs that we must respect, in order to have the people in that community to see Christ in us. Jesus walked in His local community, and he left the church of that day and He walked down where there were a bunch of sinners. Jesus was not afraid to talk or even eat with them. They were the ones that Jesus came into the world to save. Remember those self-righteous hypocrites were all wrapped up in them selves and seeking their traditions to save them.

Come on and get real, Christianity is not a religion, it is a reality in the way we live our lives. You can't help people if you are not where they are at. The point is that you just don't conform to what they are doing, but transform them by the example that you set before them. You don't have to say a word, but by your example you can be a wealth of information to them, as they struggle in their problems. It is while in their presence that you plant the seeds of truth, that the Holy Spirit can work and make your thoughts grow in their minds. If they think you are a nut and off your rocker, why would they ever listen to anything you have to say. You live the life that they can see is credible, and God will place the time for your planting of the seed, when His time is ready.

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Paul is saying that this "grace" [unmerited favor] that was given to me is just as it was given to every Christian man or woman that is among you. This is another way of saying, to all you that have been saved by the blood of Christ, for that is the only way that you have "grace" [unmerited favor] with Christ.

God has given every one that has been saved certain gifts, and the measure of those gifts that are dealt by God, depends on the faith that you have in using those gifts. When you receive a gift to perform a certain task for the Lord, you are responsible for the way you develop and use that gift. If God places that gift in you, how can you take any credit for that gift for it is of God, and all the glory that comes from that gift's use goes to our Lord and Savior.

The fool is one that takes these gifts and gives himself all the glory. When he does what he is suppose to do with his gifts, souls are reached for the kingdom. That self type of thinking is high-mindedness. We see it everywhere there is a ministry that is elevated to a point where that ministry gets the glory, and God becomes a matter of fact. Some of these slick TV types would have you believe that they are elevated to a point far above all others, even to a point of saying their daily conversation was personally with the Father. You know the type; God told me to do this or that, like park my car over there, when in fact even common sense would give you more reason for your act. God doesn't like it when you attribute something to Him when He just didn't say it.

When you have a gift that is given by God, then you know that it is He that should receive all the credit. Whether that gift is teaching, singing, sports, fishing, helping the sick, praying, or what ever it is, that gift is placed within you for the sole purpose of glorifying God, and not you. When you take the credit, then you play the role of the fool, and become high-minded. All wisdom, creditability, knowledge, ability and any wealth that you may have is God's and you are the servant of those gifts that have been assigned to your care. It is our heavenly Father that makes it all click, workable, and believable.

When you recognize the gifts that God has given you, then you receive the power that is in that gift, simply by using it in faith. What good is any wealth if you don't know it is even there. A man could sit on top of a gold mine raising tomatoes, and that gold is worthless to him. His wealth then become the harvest of his tomatoes. God will never give you more then you can take care of, and that is the measure of faith stated here. If you are down on your luck, what good did you do with the gifts that God gave you before. Have you ever wasted any gift that God has given you? The wise person will learn from his failures and work to correct them in the future. Those corrections come as we study deeper into His Word, for God's Word is the perfect plan for it is the Will of God.

Romans 12:4 "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:"

Each person in the body of Christ does not have the same function. We all have different gifts to support one another in the spreading of the gospel. It is our duty to reach others with the good news of the freedoms that we have in Christ. Don't go around trying to copy the gifts that God has given to another person, but search yourself to see what gifts God has given you. Develop them, and learn how they can be used most effectively for Christ.

To the singer, it may require lessons to develop and strengthen his or her voice, or even to take advantage of using that gift whenever possible. We have seen great football players, give God the glory when they make a great play, instead of strutting around like a fat turkey at the goal line. To the dear sister or brother that God has given the ability to feel the pain of others, it is in their intercessory prayer, and to those that visit the sick, with their ability to bring new hope to the sick and depressed. God gives them the gift in their ability to see hope in others, when hope is gone in those around them.

I don't know your gift, and it is not important what your brothers and sisters in the Lord's gift is. What is important is the each of us look at our own gifts, and that is what is important to us on an individual basis. That is what you are accountable to the Father for, and the percent of use of that gift is the degree of your usefulness to Him in the age to come. That is the basis that your rewards will be given.

Paul uses the analogy of a body here, because we can easily see that each member or part of our body has a specific gift to make that body function the way that it ought to function. You don't walk on your head, you think with your head and walk on your feet. Your heart pumps blood, while the blood carries the oxygen. Your hands pick up things and your nose takes in air, and is used as a drain now and then. You get the picture: the body of Christ is the same way, every part is necessary, and the body suffers when any part of that body is hurting. When a speck gets into your eye, the whole body stops until the speck is removed, and when one of your feet steps on a nail, the whole body is under attack. This is how it ought to be within the body of Christ, and when you are in the perfect will of God, this is as you will be.

Now say that the entire body of Christ was as one individual member, say the nose. What would it look like if there was one huge nose running all over the place? All that could be done by that nose is smelling and draining. Does that sound stupid? of course it does. The body needs to be rounded out with all of it's parts functioning in the capacity that God intended it to be. Every part is important and necessary for the body of Christ.

Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

This is addressed to the brethren, as to how you get along with one another.

Romans 12:6 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith;"

"Prophecy" is teaching what God has spoken. Prophecy can be trusted because it is based upon the plan and will of God. In the prime root of the word "prophecy" it is the teaching of the prophets. There has never been a prophet that walked on this earth that could see into the future and tell what the future would bring. Every prophet has had the same God that you do, and it was God that told the prophet what tomorrow would bring, so be careful of listening to those seers that run around telling others what the world is going to bring. They have no idea what is in the Word of God. All prophecy is freely given from God, and when one tries to peddle it as their own revelation, grab your wallet and run.

When one tells you something that is not written in Gods Word pertaining to prophecy, he is a lier, and not part of the true body of Christ. But he is practicing "simony" , remember back in Acts 8 where there was a certain man named "Simon" who followed Philip around and saw the powers that God had given to Philip. Simon was a sorcerer, and did great thing for money, but when Simon saw those things that the disciples were doing, he wanted them. The miracles of Philip were greater then what Simon had, so Simon tried to buy those powers to commercialize them for his own gain. There are many "Simons" running around today, and they all dedicate their sermons to the obtaining of your money. The Simons of today try to make you obligated financially to them just because you listened to their deceptions, for in most all cases, their handling of God's holy Word is just as demonic as Simon of Acts 8 did, and God condemned Simon for it.

When Peter joined Philip in his ministry, Peter condemned "Simon" in Acts 8:20; But Peter said unto him, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money,"

Acts 8:21 "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God."

Simon wanted to buy the Holy Spirit from them, and as historical record has it, Simon thought that if Christ was so great that He was buried and rose three days later, so was Simon going to do the same act. So Simon had them bury him, and my friend, poor old Simon just never came out of the grave. That ended Simon's ministry, and very shortly God will also bury all the evil rudiments of all these other Simonizers in the business, at His return.

Romans 12:7 "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth on teaching;"

Don't jump into your ministry until God has prepared you for that ministry. When you have the gift of teaching, it means that you understand the entire plan of God, and God has given you the ability to tell God's Word to others with understanding.

Romans 12:8 "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

"Exhorteth" means that you have the gift of speaking, to make God's Word come to life in the mind of the listener.

When you act, just don't make a big deal out of it. The joyful teacher is what makes the Word of God flow. We are to give to the point that is necessary to accomplish the task that is set before them. It becomes a pleasure to give, because the center of the giving is not the gift of money, but the satisfaction that comes from the end results is that the money brought in the spreading of the gospel.

"Showing mercy, with cheerfulness", is directed to those that are gifted with the ability to make the sick and down trodden lifted up, just being in their presence. That is a gift from God, when you have the ability to make those around you feel good, just by your being there.

Romans 12:9 "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

This is to say, let love be real, don't give out that fake stuff. To abhor or stay away from evil things and people, and follow with good things and people is not difficult, it is just good common sense. We are to be happy when our brethren are successful in their gifts. We are also to be happy while in our community and on the job, setting a good example for those around us, that they will seek what we have.

This is great advice for even in business, you learn quickly that to be successful, you must give service and please others. It gets right to the core of all humanity, they all wish to be pleased. Though there is a financial gain in the business community for doing this, we do it all for the glory of God. We do it so that others will not just be drawn to buy our goods, but they will be drawn to our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember that when God gives a gift to you, it is without repentance, He will not take it back from you. However when you misuse that gift, He will take you down a peg or two, and do some correcting within you. God has his ways to get you back to the reality that we have in Christ.

Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"

Our dealings with our fellow Christians must be honorable when we use our gifts in the service for the Lord. In the body of Christ unity amongst the members comes through honorable. It takes one to be in the lead, before the sheep can follow. What Paul is saying in a sense, "Don't be lazy." If you have a gift to lead or teach, and you see something that needs to be done in the body of Christ, do it, lead the way. That is why there are many different gifts scattered amongst all the flock. All members of the flock do not have the same in ability, and when you see that the gift that you have is needed, get busy and get it done.

If the church house needs a new roof, and there is a roofer in the church, your gift may be your ability to go get the shingles, or carry them up the ladder. If one is sick in your midst, and you see where some flowers and a good word is in need, don't wait to be asked, cut those flowers, and go visit that sister or brother in the Lord. Don't sit back and do nothing, take the lead. When your gifts are required and needed. God will bless you many times over; not only in this world, but in the ages to come for those services that you rendered in this flesh age. You simply can not out give God.

Romans 12:11 "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"

If you want to be successful in your business, Paul is telling you, don't get sloppy and lazy in your business practices. When you are following the latter two, "fervent in spirit, and serving the Lord", then you will always be successful in business.

The lazy person sets up his business, and waits for the business to come to them. Then when they do, it becomes a drudge to serve their needs. Who likes to come around a person like that. I would rather stay away from them, and leave them in their own sorrow. Don't worry, no one is going to buy anything from a person like that, and they usually go under.

However, if you are fervent in the spirit, you just can't wait to meet the first customer, and greet them and know them personally. You want to satisfy them in any way that you can. The Spirit of God radiates through you, and the customer enjoys just to be around you. In fact he will go out of his way to enter you place of business, because you are a joy to be around. You are there to give a service, and the customer can see and feel that you get a joy out of servicing them and their needs. They will have felt better being around you, because of your Christian example that you set when dealing with them.

Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"

That means when trouble comes along, don't get all shook up, be patient. That is the time to bring it to the Lord in prayer, and ask for the Father's help in this matter. Say it to yourself and He can read your mind. Our Heavenly Father knows the intent of your mind. When you are "rejoicing in hope", it documents your faith, for our "hope" is that which is not seen, and it tells others that you are a believer, and that is the only way you can rejoice but in hope. You are rejoicing in the belief that the thing that is hoped for, has already come to pass.

Romans 12:13 "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

Before you can give to the saints, you have to know who the saints are and what their needs are. They are not the ones just passing by, or even those beggars on the corners. The saints are the "set aside ones" that God has given some responsibility to do. In Paul's case, he called Peter, James and John the saints at Jerusalem. They were the teachers of the Gospel there in Jerusalem and Paul knew the struggles and financial problems that they faced. When Paul accepted money for the saints, all those people knew that their gifts would be used for the service of the Lord in Jerusalem. Remember that Paul had the trade of a tent maker, and he earned his own way. Those that stayed in Jerusalem could not earn their livelihood, and thus there was a need for tithes to be sent. If your pastor is doing the duties to his flock, and tending to the needs of his congregation, then there is not time to make a living away from the church, and that is why the tithe must be tended to faithfully.

Romans 12:14 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

This is addressed only to them that are persecuted for their witness in living their life as a Christian. When you correct a fellow brother in Christ, and He slaps you, it doesn't hurt you to say "bless you brother." You don't know what convictions and persecutions that person has gone through, and your act of turning the other cheek is given in service to the Lord. This is what turning the other cheek is all about. Say you planted a seed of the Word, and the person took it the wrong way and hit you. You were in the work of the Lord, and God will bless you for it. Don't curse, it may be best to just turn and walk away.

It has nothing to do with taking the abuse of a bully that comes up and starts hitting on you. If you are big and strong enough, you will be doing him a favor in putting a little correction on him, and thanking the Lord for the opportunity of ministering to him where it was needed. Give the message in love, and he will get the message. That is correcting the enemy, and correcting him a fine way.

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."

If you love someone, when they are in sorrow, then their sorrow is your sorrow. Say they lose a loved one and are a member of the many membered body of Christ, it will hurt you also when you see them in sorrow.

This also goes the other way, when you see a brother in Christ getting ahead and doing well be happy with him in his gain. If he gets a new car or truck and is happy in that, his happiness is also yours.

Getting now to the body, when your tooth is in sorrow because of a tooth ache, your entire body will rejoice when that tooth becomes satisfied by the dentist. What affects one part of the body has an affect on all parts of the body. And in Christ's body, the sooner that you see that when one part of the body of Christ is under attack by Satan, all members of that body are also under attack. Satan attacks the weakest part of the body, and that is why the mind and the eyes must watch out where the foot steps, and our liver must be assured that the liquids that we put into our body are pure, or the body will be poisoned. Get the point? The use of your gifts are for the protection of the other members that do not have those gifts that you possess.

Romans 12:16 "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."

"Be not wise in your own conceits", is in reference to trying to carry on a conversation with someone that thinks that they know it all. When we communicate with other brethren in the Lord, we are to be open minded, and consider what even the ones with far less then your understand has to say.

There is a lot of controversy amongst the critics of the Bible on this verse where it says; "condescend to men of low estate". Calvan wrote, "don't let little things hold you up in your deeds." In other words, "don't get hung up on the little things of life."

To be of the same mind one toward another is like a choir, each member having the same mind of the song, yet each using the gifts that God has given to add to the song. Though they are singing different notes, together and in tune with one another, it is a beautiful harmony to the Lord. So what puts us in harmony is the Word of God. The teachings of all of God's Word brings maturity into the body of Christ, and it strengthens our faith and the members of that body. Don't let the little things hang up the body of Christ.

This is social, and it is the social way of getting along in the many membered body of Christ. We call it habits that each of us have, sometimes it is called nit-picking, but we have to all learn to get along with our brothers in Christ.

Romans 12:17 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men."

Paul is telling you to protect your name, and credibility, because it is one of the most valuable things that we have in the world. We are not referring to the Godhead here, but the individual Christian that is living in the flesh body, and trying to represent our Lord. Your reputation is what determines what kind of business your will be in, and how you will do in that business. If your word cannot be trusted, then nobody wants you around, nor wants you around in their business.

Paul is telling us not to trade someone evil for evil, that means that when someone takes advantage of you in matters, don't return that evil that they given you, but learn from it. It also means, don't go back and give the person a second crack at doing you wrong. Be smarter then the serpent, and learn his ways so that you will not be caught in his trap again. You will never lose in the long run when you strive to present things honorable in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men."

Many people think that Christians should be a walking mat for everybody. Notice what Paul says; "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you," that means "as much as physically you can take." "Live peaceable with all men", is directed not only to the body of Christ, but even some neighbors where it becomes impossible for you to be in peace around them. When this does exist, we are not to treat them as an enemy but set ourselves apart from them. Don't go around them, and have nothing to do with them. You both may claim that Lord, and this is the same as Paul taught in II Thessalonians 3:6;

II Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."

II Thessalonians 3:7 "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;"

For those that are of the body of Christ, that do follow after disorderly conduct, we are not to treat him as a enemy, but we are to set ourselves apart from that person, and let him know why. Because of this verse, don't allow some neighbor to take advantage of you and walk all over you.

Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

To "give place unto wrath" does not mean that you are to become part of it, when you see wrath coming you way, just don't become part of it. Don't allow it to fester in your mind even for a moment but give it over to the Lord.

This quotation, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay saith the Lord," comes from the song of Moses, in Deuteronomy 32. It is the song that the overcomers sing on the day when Jesus Christ defeats the false-christ, on the last day of this earth age.

Deuteronomy 32:41 "If I whet My glittering sword, And Mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to Mine enemies, and will reward them that hate Me." Then in verse 43;

Deuteronomy 32:43 "Rejoice, O ye nations, with His people: For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance to His adversaries, And will be merciful unto His land, and to His people."

Friend, when anyone takes advantage to harm one of God's elect, shortly there after God will take vengeance against that one, because God will take care of His own. That is why we must turn our vengeance over to Him, for He knows how to do it the right way. Many times souls are saved by this action, and the glory goes to our Father, and he will reward you for doing it His way.

When someone is out to destroy your character before others in the community, turn it over to the Lord and He will take the vengeance on that person. God will not only take vengeance on that person and bring them down, but in the process He will bring blessing to you that will strengthen you and make you a better person for it.

Romans 12:20 "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."

What is the famine for in these end times? Amos 8:11 tells us about the famine that will come just prior to the day of the Lord, that day when Jesus returns at the sounding of the last trumpet.

Amos 8:11 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine fo bread, not a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:"

The famine is for the hearing of the word of God, and if there is a hunger today, it is for knowing truth, honesty, good moral values and character; so when we show our enemy our good character as given in the word, it will feed him.

"If he thirst, give him drink." What is "the living water" that quenches all thirst in the end times? The "Living water" is the Word of God. Even the heathen in a desert will never refuse a drink of water to the strangers. It is their custom. It doesn't take preaching to turn your enemy to God, it takes actions by Christians, and your setting the example of God's Word in your life.

"Heaping coals of fire upon his head" comes from Proverbs 25:21, 22 where it is in reference to the shame that will come upon that person.

Proverbs 25:21 "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink"

Proverbs 25:22 "For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the Lord shall reward thee."

The Proverbs are just like Romans chapters 12, through 15 in helping us in social life, and the community, and getting along with other members of the body of Christ. Much of the wisdom that Paul is giving us was given also by King Solomon in his writings in the Proverbs.

Romans 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

We are talking about spirits, and not actions here. Be not overcome by an evil spirit, but overcome that evil spirit with the Holy Spirit. The spirits of this world will tempt us, but with the Holy Spirit of God within us, we have the advantage because in Christ we are given the power and authority over all evil spirits including Satan, the devil.

When we have the Spirit of God in us, we are guided by His Spirit. Even though Satan's evil spirits tempt us, we have the power to order them away, but do we? Many times Christians find pleasure in entertaining the thoughts that these demonics stir us with, and they would rather play games with them, than order them out of their lives. Friend, that is the start of real trouble, for you are giving them a place in your mind.

Paul is telling us that when these evil spirits come, we should order them out with the authority that we have in us, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

                        

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.  We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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The American Wisdom Series

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