Episode Summary: The Force Of Peace

Podcast: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne Audio Podcast
Host/Author: Dufresne Ministries
Episode: 039 | The Force Of Peace
Release Date: August 25, 2022

Introduction

In episode 039, titled "The Force Of Peace," Kenneth Copeland delivers a profound teaching on the significance of maintaining a sound mind through faith, the Word of God, and the Armor of God as delineated in Ephesians. This episode delves deep into how believers can harness divine power to overcome adversity, emphasizing the role of peace as a formidable force in spiritual warfare.

Acknowledgments and Opening Prayer

The episode begins with Nancy Dufresne expressing gratitude towards Kenneth Copeland Ministries for sponsoring the broadcast. Shortly after, Kenneth Copeland extends a heartfelt welcome, encouraging listeners to believe in God for answers and a fulfilling life. He emphasizes the collective hunger for spiritual nourishment among the studio audience:

Kenneth Copeland (00:10): "There's enough power in every sick room and in every hospital room to raise up that sick one that may be describing you... Say, I receive that power. I receive that power. I receive it right now."

The Importance of a Sound Mind

Kenneth shifts focus to the critical role of the mind in a believer’s spiritual journey. He references Second Timothy 1:7, highlighting that God has endowed believers with power, love, and a sound mind, not fear:

Kenneth Copeland (01:03): "We have to become skillful toward the thought life. And we need to recognize... 'For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a power, love, and of a sound mind.'"

He elaborates that a sound mind is characterized by calmness, balance, discipline, and control. Kenneth underscores the necessity of nurturing this mindset by feeding it with right thoughts and the Word of God, setting firm boundaries based on scripture to prevent negative influences:

Kenneth Copeland (02:14): "The word is the standard of boundaries for the thought life."

Resisting the Devil's Influence

Kenneth warns of the devil’s constant attempts to infiltrate believers’ minds with wrong thoughts. He asserts that believers possess the authority to reject these negative thoughts by standing firm in the Word:

Kenneth Copeland (03:08): "The devil offers wrong thoughts, but just because he offers them doesn't mean we have to take them... We are authorized to answer those with the Word and resist those and reject those thoughts."

He emphasizes that maintaining a sound mind safeguards against opening doors to the enemy, ensuring that believers remain victorious through a renewed mind:

Kenneth Copeland (03:34): "A sound mind enjoys a renewed mind. If we don't renew our minds, the soundness of mind will not be enjoyed."

Understanding and Applying the Armor of God

Transitioning to Ephesians 6:10-17, Kenneth delves into the "Armor of God," detailing each component and its spiritual significance:

1. Girdle of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)
   Represents the accurate understanding of God’s Word, serving as the foundation upon which other pieces of armor are secured:

   Kenneth Copeland (10:08): "The truth of God's word, it girds us at the girdle of truth... if that girdle is not secure, all his weaponry falls."

2. Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
   Symbolizes the righteousness granted through Jesus, protecting the believer’s heart and spirit:

   Kenneth Copeland (11:10): "We are righteous not because of anything we've done, but Jesus is righteous... It's our righteousness because he gave it to us."

3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
   Denotes readiness to spread the peace brought by the Gospel, allowing believers to navigate life’s challenges without faltering:

   Kenneth Copeland (14:18): "Shoes shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace... walking in the light of the Word."

Kenneth stresses that putting on the Armor of God requires active participation from believers. It is not a passive receipt of divine protection but a deliberate act of equipping oneself with spiritual defenses:

Kenneth Copeland (11:09): "Who's going to put it on? We are. God doesn't put it on us. We put it on."

Personal Testimony: Practicing Peace Amidst Tragedy

Kenneth shares a deeply personal testimony about the sudden passing of his husband in October 2013. He attributes his resilience and peace during this period to his disciplined practice of maintaining a sound mind:

Kenneth Copeland (22:58): "My hardest trials were when I was younger in my Christian life and my mind wasn't renewed... But when you know the answer, the Word turns hard things easy."

He recounts how two years of dedicated practice in fostering peace allowed him to navigate grief without succumbing to depression or sorrow, illustrating the practical application of his teachings:

Kenneth Copeland (23:03): "I was so acquainted with the flow of peace... grief and sorrow could not get in."

This testimony underscores the transformative power of a disciplined and renewed mind in overcoming personal tragedies, reinforcing the episode’s central theme of peace as a divine force.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Maintaining Peace

Kenneth highlights the Holy Spirit’s role as a helper, emphasizing that divine assistance is contingent upon the believer’s active obedience to the Word:

Kenneth Copeland (16:09): "The Holy Spirit is our helper... He helps us when we're doing the Word. But if we're not doing the Word, he's got nothing to help."

He shares how the Holy Spirit instructed him to focus on practicing peace, leading to an internal transformation that enabled him to remain steadfast during his husband's passing:

Kenneth Copeland (18:00): "All I want you doing is practicing peace."

Encouragement to Maintain a Sound Mind

Kenneth concludes by urging listeners to diligently practice peace as part of their spiritual armor. He emphasizes that consistent effort in maintaining a sound mind fortifies believers against life's inevitable challenges:

Kenneth Copeland (25:43): "Peace is a far greater force than the flow of death."

He reinforces the necessity of walking in the Spirit, guarding the mind, and continuously renewing it through the Word to remain victorious in spiritual battles.

Key Takeaways

• Sound Mind as Spiritual Inheritance: A sound mind, characterized by calmness, balance, discipline, and control, is part of the believer’s inheritance in Christ (Second Timothy 1:7).

• Feeding the Mind with the Word: Maintaining a sound mind requires deliberate feeding with right thoughts and adherence to the Word of God, setting boundaries to resist negative influences.

• Armor of God: The Armor of God—Girdle of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, and Shoes of the Gospel of Peace—provides essential spiritual defenses against the devil’s strategies (Ephesians 6:10-17).

• Personal Discipline in Practicing Peace: Consistent practice in maintaining peace equips believers to handle personal tragedies and adversities without faltering.

• Role of the Holy Spirit: Divine assistance through the Holy Spirit is available to those who actively engage with the Word and live in obedience, enabling them to stay prepared and victorious.

• Continuous Renewal: A renewed mind, continually aligned with God’s thoughts and Word, ensures that believers remain steadfast and unshaken by external challenges.

Conclusion

Episode 039, "The Force Of Peace," provides a comprehensive exploration of the interplay between faith, mental discipline, and spiritual armor in overcoming life's challenges. Kenneth Copeland effectively combines scriptural insights with personal testimony to articulate how believers can harness the power of peace and a sound mind to achieve victory in their spiritual journey. Listeners are encouraged to actively engage with the Word, practice peace, and equip themselves with the Armor of God to stand firm against any adversity.