Basic Training
Basic Training

  • Ephesians 6:10-24
  • The Whole Armour of God-1
  • The Whole Armour of God-2
  • The Whole Armour of God-3
  • The Whole Armour of God-4
  • The Whole Armour of God-5
  • Religion vs Spirituality?
  • Worshipping Jesus
  • Is Satan the ruler of this world?
  • Why Jesus?
  • Which Bible Version?
  • Who Doesn't Tithe?


    • Ephesians 6:10-24 (words by the apostle Paul)

    10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

    11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

    12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

    13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

    14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

    15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

    16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

    17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

    18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

    19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

    20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

    21But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

    22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

    23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.



    The Whole Armour of God - 1


    To my siblings... The next time you want to punch someone's lights out who has plainly done you wrong, remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

    It's foolish to try to fight those type of things with punches and kicks or with bullets and bats. It's a spiritual battle. The devil's tactic is to bring you out of your spiritual mindframe and cause you to forget your spiritual weaponry (and armour of God) and try to physically or verbally solve your problems with people. That way, you'll lose every time. Because if you do beat them up (physically or with words), you lose. If they beat you up, you lose. You lose either way. Think smart. Think spiritually.

    You should not wait until you get to the battlefield to put on your spiritual armour. You should already be ready when you roll out of bed. Howso? Because you should have went to sleep with it on. It's called sleeping readyroll. You never know when you'll get a rude awakening.

    Also notice how the scripture says put on the WHOLE armour of God, so you can stand against the wiles of the devil, not part of the armour... Not a helmet and a shield. (i.e. the helmet of salvation and the shield of faith)

    (wiles: tricks, strategies, that will leisurely draw your mind away or divert your attention or deceive you.)

    Too often, we think we can withstand the devil's tricks simply because we are saved or because we have faith. That's not enough to keep you from being touched... the whole armour of God is needed. That's why we have fallen to temptation, because we only had part of the armour on. It's not always an easy lesson to learn, but it does need to be learned. And the sooner, the better.

    Also, notice quickly too that verse 12 says "spiritual wickedness." Many people are quick to say "I'm very spiritual" as if it's a good thing. You must ask, by what spirit(s) do they mean when they say "spiritual?" Because just as someone can be spiritually righteous, they can also be spiritually wicked.

    Also, notice quickly too that verse 13 says "and having done all, to stand." Instead of just doing some things or most things, we need to do all to stand. We need to go all out. I've been casual about it at times, but casual doesn't work. Ephesians 6, even still, is only part of it.



    1) Your loins girt about with truth
    2) having on the breastplate of righteousness
    3) your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
    4) the shield of faith (very important)
    5) the helmet of salvation
    6) the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
    7) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit
    8) watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints


    Shod, I believe is the past tense of shoe, but you just can't put an ed on the end of shoe. Which reminds me, if there are any words you don't understand, look them up.

    The Lord is Jesus


    -Éric L Farrell



    The Whole Armour of God - 2


    Reading the scripture above, we are brought to another realization. Verse 10 says "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." It does not say, "in the power of your might," but in the power of the Lord's might. We are not to rely on our own strength and might or walk in our own power. We are to walk in His power, now having access to His power. No doubt, you've heard people say "I'm only human" when they fall to temptation and transgress. You may have even said this yourself before. What you were really saying is "I'm weak." And yes humans have some element of weakness, I agree, but lets remember that excuse of being a human doesn't pertain to you anymore. You know why? In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul testifies "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new."

    Some may say that "a new creature" doesn't necessarily mean "a new type of creature," but I say that healing people is not a human characteristic, prophesying is not a human characteristic, seeing beyond another's physical exterior is not a human characteristic, communicating with another person through the spirit is not a human characteristic, casting out spirits from people is not a human characteristic. Read the testimonies in the Bible or read some testimonies from today in Minh's Journal (a friend of mine). I have testimonies of my own as well, which I'll share later.

    Unfortunately, the strongest man in the world is weak if he doesn't know where his strength lies. We are strong in the Lord when we realize it. Use your God's strength that's He's put within you.

    No temptation is impossible to resist. The next time you feel like giving up and saying "I tried, but I just couldn't do it," read Hebrews 12:4 which says, "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." I'm trying to paraphrase that, but I think that's as simple as it gets. You haven't tried hard enough. You sure didn't reach the point of bleeding yet from resisting against sin. You can try a little harder. You gave in to easily. Give it all you've got. Better yet, give it all God's got.

    -Éric L Farrell



    The Whole Armour of God - 3


    (note: "ye" is usually a plural word, so at the end of the section above, the scripture is not just saying, you have not resisted unto blood, but you all have not resisted together unto blood. Remember that our strength is not just found in us as individuals and in God, but in each other as well. Sometimes if we're facing temptation of some sort, we have a call up a brother or sister in Christ and get some help fighting it. Call for back-up.)

    While looking at the passage about the whole armour of God, I noticed something interesting. There is no armour for the back. Why is this? I'd like to hear what you think.

    If you ask me though, I'll tell you it's because we shouldn't be in a position where we need armour for our back. If you're wounded in the back, that usually means that you're not facing your enemy. Perhaps you're running away. I don't remember one honourable example of anyone in the Bible running away in battle (I forgot about Joseph who ran from Pharoah's wife when she tried to force him to "lay" with her. The Bible does tell us in 1 Cor 6:9 to "flee fornication," so there are some things we are not supposed to try to stand and battle with or rely on armour. We dealt with this situation about Joseph and fleeing fornication on January 16 bible notes.) Even those who were killed for righteousness' sake did not try to run away and did not turn their back on the enemy. Even when God called the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt and the Egyptians pursued them, they weren't running, they were going into the wilderness to hold a feast unto God there (Ex 5:1).

    Why would someone turn their back on the enemy? I can think of a few reason. One would be fear, which would essentially be the presence of doubt in God... the lack of faith in God; forgetting that God is not a three letter word on a piece of paper, He is the almighty.

    Another reason, a very popular reason these days, is not regarding your enemy as a danger. We can't take the devil so lightly that we walk right past him and turn out back to him and expect to just skip along without getting wounded or taken down. So not only are we supposed to keep our armour on, but we should remain aware of our enemy as well. Some of our ailments are the result of us walking around exposed to attack, whether it's from not having armour on or not remaining watchful and aware of our enemy, Satan.

    Some of us at times become as temporary athiests, acting as if there is no God or Satan and no spiritual war going on. I've done it myself. We wonder aimlessly like the doubting Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years, in the wrong place and time, just as vulnerable as can be. But wait, they weren't taking their enemy lightly. No, they weren't, but they were afraid, and doubting God. Furthermore, they were lost. They didn't know which way to go. They had stopped taking direction from God. That's another way we can expose our back; wondering around lost with no direction.



    The Whole Armour of God - 4


    Ephesians 6:16
    "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
    Of course, Satan cannot let this go undealt with. So what is Satan's plan of attack against the shield of faith? How do the wicked get us to end up in a vulnerable position without our shield?

    Someone recently said "You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips." I didn't check yet to see what that person's spiritual belief was, but I've heard something similar by many people, teaching that you should just live a good example, without verbally preaching to people about Jesus. Some of my brothers and sisters in Christ have bought that.

    The idea almost lines up with 1 Timothy 4:16 "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." Read closely. It doesn't say you'll save them that see you, but them that hear you. Not only should you be living right, but you should be verbally talking about something too.

    Jesus told his disciples to go preach His word. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, 'whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.'" A few verses later "'Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall hey hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:10-14)

    A few verse later Paul points out that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

    We know it's true that if someone were to simply live a seemingly "good" nice life, yet did not proclaim why, how, or by who they were able to live that life, the people watching them may think it was done by some other means, positive thinking, or some other belief or life principle. The onlookers would remain lost, not knowing who to turn to, because they have not been told. They would remain lost, and perish.

    Who preaches non-verbally? Nobody does. Hypocritically, other groups tell the Christian to do it. I say hypocritically because those other groups don't remain silent. Everyone from Gays, to Muslims, to Scientologists, to Weed Smokers, to Alcoholics, to Porn Stars, to Evolutionists, to Atheists, to Animal Rights Activists, and whoever else, all preach verbally, promoting their cause. Even murderers, drug dealers, pimps, and fornicators verbally preach guns, drugs, sexual impurity, and all sorts of profanities. If you don't believe me, just listen to the music and read the magazines and they'll verbally teach you all you need to know to live that life.

    I think the idea that one can effectively "preach silently" is a myth that people usually just try to sell to Christians (followers of Christ) to try to keep us quiet about Jesus. Don't you agree? Here in America, they'll try to hurt your pockets or try to ake you feel ashamed, but in some other places, they'll physically persecute you, torture you, or kill you if you preach Jesus. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Let's not be tricked into putting down our shield of faith.

    Jesus is the Lord

    -Éric L Farrell

    p.s. Romans 10:17; Psalm 145:11; Ephesians 6:16





    The Whole Armour of God - 5


    Ephesians 6:17
    "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

    So what is the Sword of the Spirit?
    And why is it called the word of God?
    Just like a regular sword divides physical things, the Word of God (sword of the spirit) divides spiritual things.

    Those who follow God's Word in the Bible will believe and act differently, living by different morals or principles (the principles that God establishes) than those that don't believe and follow it. Those who don't follow God's Word will not follow these same principles. There will be a difference between the two. Sometimes it may be noticeable to the naked eye, sometimes it won't. What divides the two is the Word of God.

    For example, God says that witchcraft is wrong (it's recorded in the Bible that God has said that). There are those who will not practice witchcraft because they love God and believe God's word regarding that issue; they believe witchcraft is wrong. They should not be unified with those who practice witchcraft. Those who practice witchcraft, do so because they do not believe God's word; they do not believe witchcraft is wrong. Jesus came to bring the word of God so there would be a clear division between those who follow God, and those who won't. He says, "I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). The Bible has been sent here to cause division between the two.

    Some argue "only God knows the intent in my heart." That may be true. But what people often fail to realize is that the intent is one's heart is not a gray area. It is either black or white, and the Word of God can slice between those who have a black intent in their heart and a white intent in their heart (this isn't a reference to skin color, but we can use purple, blue and red if you're more comfortable with those colors instead of gray, black and white). And we are not quick enough to change the intent in our heart when we see God's spiritual blade swinging toward us, and we're not powerful enough to block it, nor agnostic enough to confuse it although we may confuse our self.

    Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." I'm told that the dividing line between bone and bone marrow is so indistinguishable, that you can't even tell from a microscope where one ends and the other begins. If the Word of God was a physical sword, it would be quick, powerful, and sharp enough to cut straight through the middle of that dividing line with one quick swipe.

    When God gave His word through Moses, it brought division between the Egyptians and the Hebrews (Exodus 8:23), and between those who followed God's Word and did what He told them to do (Exodus 9:19-20), and those who didn't do God's word (Exodus 9:25). Those who chose not to believe that Moses was chosen by God to deliver God's truthful word were not excused. The same is with those who choose not to believe God's Word from the mouth of God's other prophets, disciples, and apostles who delivered the scriptures to us, which are in the Bible.

    A sword is one of the most efficient and finely crafted tools in existence. It looks like a simple piece of sharpened metal, but it's much more intricate than that. Learn how Japanese swords are crafted and used, for example, while remembering how much greater the sword of the Spirit is than those.

    The Word of God reveals the thoughts of hearts (Luke 2:35).
    Do God's word, don't just hear God's Word (James 1:22).

    -Éric L Farrell



    Religion vs Spirituality?
    9/2009

    There's this new trend going on, and I just wanted to take a moment to address it very quickly.

    Many of my Christian brothers and sisters are reading their Bibles now, which is great. They are beginning to see some of the flaws in the way man has chosen to do things in "faith-based" institutions and they call those institutions "religion" (quotes because all of these organizations are not necessarily faith based). This leads them to badmouth religion, and say "religious people this," and "religious people that" and desire to be seen as spiritual, but not religious. They now think religious is bad.

    But this is not religion, not according to the Bible. If we're living and discerning by the Bible, then we must regard the words of the Bible, even when it comes to defining what "religion" is.

    The people who want to have nothing to do with Christians and the church say "Oh, I'm not religious," as if it's a badge of honor to say that. Neither do they know what the term religious means.

    In the Bible, it is defined as this: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." -James 1:27 (truth)


    Éric L Farrell



    Worshipping Jesus
    3/30/2010

    As 1 Peter 3:15 says, you be ready to give answer to anyone that may ask you why you worship Jesus or whether Jesus is to be worshipped. I'm not sure where the viewpoint comes from or what religion presented it, but it has been said by man that Jesus refused to be worshipped because he was just a man, but this is not true. I say it's not true due to the following scriptures below.

    Jesus was worshipped and hailed:
    Matthew 2:11; Matthew 8:2; Matthew 9:18; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 15:25; Matthew 20:20; Matthew 26:49; Matthew 28:9,17
    Mark 5:6
    Luke 24:52
    John 9:38
    Revelation 5:14 (5:5-14) as the Lamb

    Jesus said "all hail" and received worship:
    Matthew 28:9

    The ones who believed He should NOT be worshipped and hailed crucified Him:
    Matthew 27:29
    Mark 15:18-19
    John 19:3

    An apostle of Jesus, Peter, refused to be worshipped or bowed to, being just a man:
    Acts 10:25-26


    Éric L Farrell



    Is Satan the ruler of this world?
    5/12/2010

    I've heard it commonly said that Satan is the ruler of this world, but I could not find any such statement in my Bible, unless one is using the word "world" to mean "those outside of Christ." But I don't think that's what people mean when they say "Satan is the ruler of this world." I believe they mean "Satan is the ruler of this earth." Yet if Satan is the ruler of this earth, then what position is God playing?

    To speak plainly, the King James Version (KJV) says that Satan is the ruler of the darkness of this world (not the ruler of this world). The New International Version (NIV) appears to say that Satan is the ruler of this world. Some of the other versions I've checked aren't very clear as to whether they are or aren't calling Satan the ruler of this world. What does your Bible say? Who rules?

    Ephesians 6:12 (King James Version)




    Why Jesus?
    11/26/2010

    First, let's address the issue of the pronunciation of the name Jesus (Jeez-us) as we pronounce it in America. It is biblically permissible (fine with God) for a name to be said one way in one region or by a certain people and to be said a different way by others with a different language, but still be understood to be the same name. An example of this is in Revelation 9:11 "...which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." That's a great example because we see the name difference is more than two groups of people pronouncing letters differently. It's one name said two completely different ways. In the English language we say His name as Jesus (Jeez-us), and I'm sure Jesus is well aware of that and not confused by it. Let's not insult His intelligence. Furthermore, the concern of Jesus was not "how do you all say my name?" but "who do you all say I am?" or "whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15).
    God understands "unknown tongues" because 1 Corinthians 14:2 says "He that speaketh in an unkown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God. So we know that God is able to understand what we are saying. He would also understand who's name it is we are calling.
    1 John 3:18 also let's us know that our words are of lesser concern than the things we do and what is in our heart. As also stated in (Isaiah 19:13), saying Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me. Now it should be noted we're not talking about making up different names for Jesus here, but we're talking about different groups of people saying His name differently, based on geographic location or nationality. I'm not saying that someone can just decide to call Jesus "Sprinkles" and everything will be good. That's not the issue that's being dealt with when we say "Jesus Christ." In my opinion, anyone trying to make the conversation into a "Sprinkles" argument is really just trying to start an argument because it's a game to them and they should not be taken seriously. You may n
    Now, does the Bible say Jesus is the only way to the Father or to Heaven? Does Jesus say this? And does Jesus need to say this? We'll also begin to look at what the Bible says about Jesus being God. Let's answer scriptural questions with scripture. The scriptures we're going to look at concerning this are:
    John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
    Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
    Matthew 26:28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
    Acts 4:10-12 "...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified.... Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
    John 15:23 "He that hateth me, hateth my Father also."
    Hebrews 1:8 "But unto the Son he saith, 'Thy throne, O God, for is ever and ever...'"
    Hebrews 9:2 "without shedding of blood is no remission."
    Hebrews 10:10 "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
    Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
    Revelation 1:17-18 "I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore"
    Revelation 1:13-15 "one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot... his eyes were as a flame of fire... his fee like unto fine brass "
    Revelation 2:18 "these things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass."



    Which Bible Version?
    3/7/2011

    When it comes to Bible versions, does it really matter which one you use? Or can you just use which ever one you feel most comfortable with?

    I'll let you decide, but only after I point out some things you should look for before you decide. In fact, for the moment, I'll share some links to what some others have found, including one person who repented and denounced a popular version that he helped write.



    Who Doesn't Tithe? These men below.
    5/24/2011

  • John Wycliff
  • Martin Luther    (more...)
  • Charles H Spurgeon    (PDF format: APRIL 18, 1880, SERMON 2716 - Galatians 2:21)
  • John Wesley    (Sermon 50 "The Use of Money" 1744)
  • John Owen    ("...it is no safe plea for many to insist on, that tithes are due and divine.... there is nothing due under the gospel...")
  • Roger Williams
  • John Smyth
  • John Bunyan
  • Dr. J Vernon McGee
  • John MacArthur    (Masters Seminary)
  • Charles "Chuck" Swindoll (Dallas Theological Seminary)
  • Francis Chan
  • George Barna
  • Michael & Mitchell Webb
  • Cornerstone Bible Church (Lilburn GA)
  • Westover Church (Greensboro NC)
  • The Flood Church (San Diego CA)
  • The Hill Ministries (Woodbridge VA)
  • Woodbridge Bible Church (Woodbridge VA)
  • Moody Bible Institute
  • others

    So far, I've always seen this fact overlooked, so I will mention that when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about tithing in Matthew 23:23 they were still under the Old Testament. Yes, even in Matthew they are in the Old Testament. The New Testament doesn't come into effect until Matthew 27:51 when Jesus died on the cross and the veil was rent in twain. This is taught from Hebrews 9:16-21, saying that the blood of Jesus Christ (the testator) was necessary to put the New Testament into effect (through a blood covenant). This means that Jesus was not acknowledging, allowing, or condoning the continuance of tithing in the New Testament when He mentioned it in Matthew 23:23, because Matthew 23:23 was still Old Testament. Yes, Jesus was born, but the birth of Jesus did not bring the New Testament into effect; the death of Jesus brought it into effect. This means the word "tithe" (singular) is never used in the New Testament, and the word "tithes" (plural) is only used four times in the New Testament; all four times are in Hebrews 7 (verses 5,6,8,9) which comes down to verse 12 which says, "for the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." Remember, verse 5 said "they that are the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham." The priesthood was changed, the law was changed, and that law even was among them and their brethren. This law that the sons of Levi were under is found in the book of Leviticus in the Bible.
    (I used red and underline to highlight the correlations)
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