STANDING FIRM
Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
Have you ever been body surfing? It is a lot of fun to rides the waves. Often times, while you are out in the ocean waiting for that really big wave, you have to stand firm against smaller waves. If you do not stand firm, you will get knocked off your feet and lose ground in your quest to catch "the big one."
In the Christian life, God admonishes us again and again to stand firm against the devil. It seems a little strange that God would not command us to go forward. After all, we do have the song "Onward Christian Soldiers." Why all the emphasis on standing firm?
THE THIEF
The reason God tells us to stand firm against the devil has to do with what He has already given us. The Book of Ephesians tells us we have been blessed already "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). It tells us that we are "seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 2:6). We are to stand firm against the devil so that we do not lose one inch of blessing ground that God has already given to us.
Jesus told us that the devil is a thief. He comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). The devil comes at us to steal away our joy, peace, power and blessings that God has already given to us to enjoy.
HOW DO YOU STOP HIM?
The way you deal with the thief is to take authority and stand firm. Sadly, many Christians are failing to do this, and, as a result, they are letting the thief steal them blind.
That's right, I said, "Letting." He cannot take anything from you unless you let him.
Suppose some unarmed man that you knew you could whip were to walk in the front door of your house and start hauling off your stuff. He starts taking your TV, your computer, your refrigerator, your jewelry, etc. How would you respond? Would you just cower in a corner and let him have his way? Would you call your friends and wail and lament over all the bad that has befallen you? Of course not!! You would face this one you can whip and tell him to drop it... and beat it! You would take authority and stand firm.
Jesus Christ has all power and all authority. If you are genuinely born again, Jesus Christ lives in you. The Bible says, "Greater is He who is in you (Jesus) than he who is in the world (Satan)" (1 John 4:4). You have power and authority over the devil and his demonic hoard. You have the full armor of God to stand up to your enemy and defeat him every time in Jesus' name.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Quit whining and crying while he steals you blind... and start standing up to him!! Take the full armor that God has given you and the weapons of the word and prayer and begin to defend your spiritual ground. As Nehemiah told the people who were building the wall in Jerusalem, "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and FIGHT!!!!"
Will you fight for your marriage? Will you fight for your children? Will you fight for your church? Will you fight for the Christian values in America we see eroding away before our eyes every day? Will you fight to keep all the blessings God has so graciously bestowed upon you? The battle is not against flesh and blood... it is against the devil and his demons. And we have the victory!!
The time is NOW for God's people to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Are you with me?
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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