Category Archives: Instruments

Indoor storage room filled with rifles, handguns, helmets, body armor, and ammunition boxes
Armor, Bible, Instruments, Light, Romans, Scripture, Weapons

ARMOR OF LIGHT

ROMANS 13:12

“The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

If we want to fight the battles that come our way in our walk with Christ, we must be properly equipped. Too many followers of Christ are inadequately equipped for battle. As a result, they face defeat after defeat by trying to take on the forces of evil by themselves. Many think they can just tough it out. That’s a recipe for failure. Let’s take a look at this “armor of light” Paul refers to in today’s verse.

Paul certainly knew that he had to be equipped for battle. Just go back and read about Paul’s battles. He had a lot of them. He didn’t strap on a sword and start swinging. No, he bathed himself in prayer and in the Word of God. We’re going to see something interesting in today’s verse, though. When I read this verse in the English, I naturally assumed that the word “armor” was the same word that is used over in Ephesians 6:11 where Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. That’s the Greek word panoplía which refers to the complete set of defensive and offensive weapons. That is not the word used in today’s verse. Let’s look at the difference.

APPLICATION

The word used in today’s verse is hóplon which is defined by HELPS Word-studies as “an implement (normally used for warfare). In the NT, hóplon (instrument) is always in the plural (weapons to wage war).” We see this used six times in the New Testament. One of my favorites is in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (which I have referenced multiple times). It says, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” Don’t you just love that these “weapons” are in the plural? God doesn’t just give us one weapon. We have many!

In fact, hóplon “underlines that God always gives all the resources we need to prevail in every form of spiritual warfare – as we live in faith” (HELPS Word-studies). Back in Romans 6:13 we saw this word used. “and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God.” Again, it’s in the plural. This “armor,” these “weapons” are “instruments” to be used for righteousness.

Just as a surgeon uses different instruments as he operates, we have different weapons or instruments to wage war against darkness. And don’t forget that they are bathed in the light of Christ. If we are diligent to use His weapons and not our own, we will be victorious over every stronghold. So, be equipped, my beloved.

Father God, thank You for equipping us so well for battle. Help me rely on Your weapons and not my own.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Death, Instruments, Righteousness, Scripture, Unrighteousness

BE THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT

ROMANS 6:13

“and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God.”

Doctors who spend time in the operating room have specific surgical instruments they use for each surgical procedure. If they use the wrong instrument, they can do more harm than good. No one wants that, especially the patient. When the correct instrument is used, healing can begin.

Today’s verse is one of my memory verses with our ministry, Every Man A Warrior. It’s a constant reminder to focus our attention on serving our true Master Jesus Christ, not our old master – sin. We need to be the correct instrument of righteousness so we can impact our world around us for good. If we choose to be the wrong instrument (unrighteousness), it only leads to death.

APPLICATION

The word translated “presenting” or “present” is parístēmi “(from pará, ‘from close-beside’ and hístēmi, ‘to stand’) – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit).” (HELPS Word-studies) Perhaps a better translation is “to yield.” But it is not just the definition. The verb tenses Paul used for each use tells us something bigger.

In the first use of parístēmi in the verse, it is in the Present Indicative. That is an ongoing, habitual or repeated action. We are not to continuously yield ourselves to sin as an unrighteous instrument. Sure, we are going to sin. But for a follower of Christ, that should be an accident, not a willful, repeated action.

The next time the word is used in the verse it is in the Aorist Indicative. That means it is a simple, completed action or point in time without indicating a duration. In other words, Paul is saying we yield ourselves to God once which does not need to be repeated over and over. You are saved once. It is not necessary to do that over and over again.

What kind of instrument are you today? Are you an instrument of righteousness or unrighteousness, of good or evil? You really do have a choice, but you have the power within you, if you are a follower of Christ, to choose correctly. You have the Holy Spirit to guide and equip you. Stop yielding to the sinful choices and allow the Spirit to live through you to accomplish all that the Lord has for you.

Make me an instrument for You, O Lord. I choose today to place myself in Your hands.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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