Revelation 13:18 describes what we know as the mark of the beast – Satan’s number. 666. We've heard so many messages, prophecies -- even seen movies about these numbers. BUT, let me tell you about the numbers 6, 6, & 6 – and how recognizing and accepting the instruction in THESE numbers and applying them to your life, will help mark you as a victorious Christian.
- Revelation 13:18 describes what we know as the mark of the beast – Satan’s number. 666. We've heard so many messages, prophecies -- even seen movies about these numbers. BUT, let me tell you about the numbers 6, 6, & 6 – and how recognizing and accepting the instruction in THESE numbers and applying them to your life, will help mark you as a victorious Christian.
First of all realize that VICTORIOUS CHRISTIANS DON’T BREAK DOWN…WE BREAK OUT…AND BREAK THROUGH!
The First 6: Know What God Hates
Proverbs 6
16 There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. (NLT)
In verse 19, some versions use the word “brothers” or “brethren”. I can see how the Lord is clearly talking about both the family of God, as well as a natural family – you know, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, in-laws and so on.
In my friend's family there were three brothers and one sister. Years ago it seemed like all the girls would go a few years and get along, then all the sudden one would get mad about something silly, get another one mad, and then it was on…until it changed and a different one got mad about something then – here we go again, around an other mountain. They used to say “they’re PMSing!” So I thought, “Well, what they should probably do is stay away from each other when they’re PMSing.” In my mind I visualized a monthly calendar. Week 1 it was sister-in-law 1’s week to PMS, week 2 was sister in law 2’s week to PMS, week 3 was sister-in-law 3’s week to PMS, and week 4 was sister-in-law 4’s week to PMS – great! That’ll work! Oh….wait….if we X’d out every day someone was PMSing, then that doesn’t leave ANY weeks to get along! Geez! What they all should have done during those years is go to this scripture and see that God not only HATES discord in a family, he DETESTS it! OK That’s as bad as you can get I do believe!
Then what about in the family of God – Christians? Inside the church so often there is strife. Many times the strive is birthed in jealousy or envy, causing someone to plant thoughts and opinions that create discord. Oh my, God says He detests this, so beware of being the source of it.
Over the years, there are a few things that I have learned to try ad NOT give attention to:
Too much attention on satan’s schemes.
- Strife and those who cause it – Strife will block our ability to be the people of Faith that God planned for us to be: People of Faith, Sisters-In-Law and Brothers-In-Law of Faith, Mothers and Fathers of Faith, Wives and Husbands of Faith, Sisters and Brothers of Faith, Girlfriends and Boyfriends of of Faith –you get the idea.
People’s opinions – correcting people (I call these people “correcting Christians”) They always have to puff themselves up by correcting or criticizing everyone and everything that’s said or done. We are not always going to agree 100% on minor negotiables or interpretations – or hair color – or dress – or music - or style. We are certainly all going to be wrong about something anyway. BUT, there are certain times when we have to take a stand against this behavior or people will assume we agree with them. It’s like listening to gossip about a friend and not stopping it – the gossiper will assume we agree and before you know it they will go and tell others that we said it or at the very least, that we agreed with it.
The Second 6: The Whole Armor of God (6:10-20)
Ephesians 6
10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the jdevil.12For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s krighteousness.15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (NLT)
Listen, with the exception of the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) the Armor of God is a defensive armor, designed to “stand against” attacks that will come into our lives – not to be on the attack. Don’t be fooled, even non-Christians have “attacks”, or rather unexpected, bad things happen in their lives and the lives of those around them. But as believers, we have this armor available to us (thank God!). It’s a protective armor, and the Sword (the Word of God) is more effective than anything – yes – anything. We should realize that the Word is mostly for US to follow, not to throw out at our enemies.
This armor is something that doesn’t just jump on us. The Word says “put it on”. It’s something we have to purpose to do – not just wait for the feeling to somehow miraculously come on us to stand firm – it’s something we decide ahead of time so we’ll be ready. We can’t wait until we’re tempted then decide whether or not to give in to sin. We have to decide ahead of time – put on the decision to say NO. We can’t wait until a tragedy or emergency comes along then decide to stay calm and trust God. We have to decide ahead of time – to prepare ourselves for how to react. My goodness if we’re not preparing, then what’s all this Church and Bible Study and Praying all about? Just to say we did it so other people will be impressed or even to impress God? No! It’s to be ready for whatever comes our way and handle problems and emergencies with wisdom and grace!
But the scripture says put on “every piece” of armor – not just the helmet, not just the shield, but ALL of it. If we do this we will still be standing AFTER the battle! We win with God’s protection.
The Third 6: Dealing with People
Galatians 6
1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same dtemptation yourself.2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the elaw of fChrist.3If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (NLT)
OK so why is it that we treat people who fall with judgment instead of doing what this scripture says? Well if we will search our motives we’d probably know. To me, there are two types of judgmental people. I mean, the Bible says we will “know them by their fruit”, meaning Christians, and we are to not judge unbelievers in this way, but believers. So type 1 is those of us who think it’s just “awful” because so and so did such and such (when in reality it’s making us feel a little self-righteous because WE never did that!), and then type 2 are those of us who judge according to our own standards and opinions, and not God’s, and try to force conviction on people, when what the scripture says is that we are first to be “godly” and “gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” Instead of being a self-righteous judgmental correcting Christian, we are called to “share each other’s burdens”, and if we can’t do that then we are thinking WAY to highly of ourselves.
Work, Responsibility, and Rewards
Galatians 6:4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.5For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (NLT)
If we will pay attention to our OWN work, God will bless us with a feeling of satisfaction, and we won’t even think about comparing our work – which could be work in the ministry, the church, the family or even a job – with that of others. Don’t ever let wet blankets put out your fire for working for Christ in the church or in the community. Chances are they’re just feeling a little convicted because you’re doing something they know they should be doing themselves. Face it, anyone in leadership in the church or in any type of Christ centered ministry is going to get criticism. This is one of those things you prepare for. The same thing happens in the workforce though. Just work as if you’re working for God, and you will gain favor from God and men.
Doing Good: Planting and Harvesting
Galatians 6:7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest (reap) what you plant (sow). 8Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.10Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (NLT)
My own kids and the youth I’ve taught over the years will tell you that this is my most quoted scripture. We will reap what we sow, whether sowing bad and reaping bad, or sowing good and reaping good, the principle is the same. And notice this scripture doesn’t say “don’t quit if you get tired”, it says “don’t get tired” of doing good. God will provide the blessings at “just the right time”. He’s always faithful. He’s never let us down or come through too late, and He never will. The problem is that if we think He has failed us, we’re probably are wanting our own will, and not His. He always knows what’s best for us even when in our own limited understanding we feel like saying, “God, you’ve missed it here!” I’m showing my age here, but just know that, along the lines of a great rock song by Aerosmith, He never closes his eyes, He never falls asleep, and He won’t miss a thing. God is good, and we are to do good – especially to others in the family of God. Instead, who is it that hurts other Christians more than anyone? Other Christians. It’s sad, and exactly what the first 6 (Proverbs 6) says God detests.
If we will focus less on our own problems and focus more on the needs of others, then our own problems won’t seem so big. Different people have different problems and different personalities. The difference should be how we help them handle the problems. Don’t worry about handling the personality – just stick to scripture -- prepare yourself with the Sword of the Spirit, and know that sometimes we cannot help someone who refuses scriptural solutions to their problems. If that happens, don’t fall into the trap of moving from scripture to opinion just because it doesn’t seem like the scripture’s working. Just speak the Word, love them, and pray.
You see, Jesus used his own friends as examples…..Martha and Mary. Both were believers with different personalities. Martha was a little more high strung...fretting over entertaining. Mary just stayed calm and basked in Jesus’ presence. Matthew 10: 38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.39Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.40But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!42There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NLT)
I’ve got to admit, I’m probably more like Martha. A little ADD and wanting everything to be perfect. But God wants us to put Him first in everything – to hearing His voice and learning from Him. We get so wound up with life and living, that we are in jeopardy of missing Him, and we really don’t want to do that. He has a way of reminding us if we’ll let him, that if we put Him first in ALL things, even the little things in life, He will take care of all the details.
So let’s SUM IT UP: 6+6+6=18 -- Galatians 6 + Ephesians 6 + Proverbs 6 = Psalm 18
Psalm 18: A psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang
1I love you, Lord; you are my strength. 2The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (NLT)
This is such good news! How many times have you felt just flat insecure, alone or like you simply don’t know what to do? If you’re like me, probably countless. But just think about it. What a relief to those who love Him because we have the Lord as our strength when we feel weak or just tired; to have Him to run into for protection; to know that He saved us and that he shields us with his power and keeps us safe. That He is always with us and we are never alone and that he will never leave us. This fact alone should be enough to keep us prepared for whatever comes our way.
So the next time you hear the “typical” comments about the Biblical 666….just remember these three sixes, and the sum total of Psalm 18. It’s not hard. Just love Him.
Linda Wilson
Written 2/8/2011
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