TOPIC: SHARPEN YOUR SWORD BY VIRTUES
TEXT: 2Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Memory Verse: 2Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
FOCUS:
This morning we are going to be looking at another way to sharpen our sword. What does it mean to sharpen our sword? It means to have a sword that is not blunt. What is the meaning of virtue? Virtue means high, moral standard.
God wants us as His children to uphold good character no wonder they say charity begins at home. One of the things that is going down in our society today is virtues. Morals is coming to a level whereby even the younger generation does not have a single respect for the elders unlike the older generation that is fading out, when you see an elder you stand up for an elder or you greet an elder politely. There is so much moral decadence, misbehavior, distractions in this society in this generation that it has made the sword of many christians to be blunt.
Virtue sharpens your sword. You can imagine when you have a sword that is blunt, more strength, more energy is put and then you are going to be slowed down. That is what lack of morals is doing to our society. All manner of anointing everywhere but without morals. What is the essence of someone who claims to be anointed but lack good character? No integrity. You can’t tell from where the person is talking if the person is lying or saying the truth. It is so visible that this person lacks manners. It has ruined many ministries. Even the ones that are not in ministry are not left out.
Character is the bedrock of Christianity. Lack of it is the ruin of any destiny. Do you want God to use you? You want to be a royal vessel? You must maintain high level of virtues, high level of morals. That’s why the Bible said in 2Peter1 that you should add. So there are things you must add to your faith and one of the things you need to add, it says and beside these giving all diligence, add to temperament patience, to patience godliness, and to faith virtue. So you see, after faith the next thing is virtue. How virtuous are you? God bless you!
LESSON:
*Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
We are looking at how do we sharpen our sword and we are looking at virtue. We can use virtue to sharpen it.
The sword represents your instrument of warfare; your character represents your personality. The two counts in this kingdom.
In Philippians 4:8 the Bible told us the meaning of virtue. What is virtue? Virtue is simply defined in this verse of the scripture. That was Paul writing to Philippines. He said: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Now from this scripture we can deduce that character is of what you think. No wonder a man of God once said “you are who you are, you are what you think” and the Bible even confirmed it that as a man thinketh in his heart so he is.
You see we live in a world that until you think it you can’t become it. So mainly, what makes people to have default in their character is because their thought is evil. You can’t be thinking like a criminal and live like a saint; you have to think as a saint to be a saint. These things are not automatic. You have to think like a godly person to live a godly life; you have to think like a righteous person to live a righteous life; you can’t be thinking like a criminal and want to live like a saint. You have to see yourself in your mind that you are there before it can work for you. For a lot of people, their thoughts are dirty and that is why the Bible said that a fountain cannot bring bitter and sweet. That means if you want your life to be sweet, start thinking sweet thoughts; you want your life to be bitter, then go ahead and think anyhow. A fountain cannot bring bitter and sweet.
What you don’t want to see, don’t think about it; what you want to see is what you should think about. If you want to be fruitful, don’t think like a barren woman; you want to see yourself married, then stop thinking like a bachelor start projecting about your Future, about your marriage. Have a picture. Do not forget that your picture determine your future. A good picture will always give you a good future. God bless you.
Don’t forget character is the bedrock of any Christianity. No picture, no future. God bless you! Amen.
PERSONAL CONFESSION: I receive divine Virtues that will promote me from glory to glory
PRAYER FOCUS: I reject every evil Virtues that is flowing to me through my blood linage.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Until God’s Virtues flows to you, you blood pattern will never stop flowing.
Nothing triggers speed like Right Virtues.