How to be an Overcomer - Part 3

King Jesus has also given His wife (the Church) spiritual gifts and armor to help protect and build up her body, soul and spirit.

You have gone up on high; You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts for men, yes, for the rebellious also, that You might dwell among them, O Jehovah God.
(Psa 68:18 MKJV)

For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Messiah, and each one members of another. But having different gifts according to the grace given to us: whether prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; whether ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who shares, in simplicity; he who leads, in diligence; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Let love be unhypocritical. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be tenderly loving in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not hesitating in diligence, fervent in spirit, slaving oneself to the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same understanding toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never give back evil to anyone. Have regard for what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men. Never avenge yourselves, beloved, but give a place for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:4-21 MRC)

But concerning the spiritual matters, brothers, I do not wish you to be ignorant. You know that being led away, you nations were led to voiceless idols. Because of this I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is a curse. And no one is able to say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. And there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differences of ministries, yet the same Lord. And there are differences of workings, but the same God is working all things in all. And to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit. For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; and to another, faith by the same Spirit, and to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit, and to another, workings of powers, and to another, prophecy, and to another, discerning of spirits, and to another, kinds of languages, and to another, interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each as He wills. Even as the body is one, and has many members, but all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For also we all were baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, even all were given to drink into one Spirit. For also the body is not one member, but many.
(1Co 12:1-14 LITV)

Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(Jas 1:17 MRC)

Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As good managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.
(1Pe 4:8-11 ISV)

Love never does anything that is harmful to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. This is necessary because you know the times-that it's time for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let us therefore put aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as people who live in the light of day. No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, or jealousy! Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not obey your flesh and its desires.
(Rom 13:10-14 ISV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies. For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand in that evil day. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. In addition to all of these, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert with every kind of effort and request for all the saints.
(Eph 6:10-18 ISV)

**Review "The Mystery of the Kingdom"