It's easy to attribute every challenge we face to the devil's influence. While spiritual warfare is real, we also need to acknowledge our own role in the difficulties we encounter. The Bible reminds us that we have the power to resist the devil, and when we do, he must flee.
James 4:7-10 NIV [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
God promises to empower us against our adversaries.
Psalms 91:1-16 NIV [1] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” [3] Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. [5] You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, [6] nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. [8] You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. [9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, [10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. [11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; [12] they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. [13] You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. [14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
However, our own actions can sometimes create openings for the enemy. Let's explore seven practical ways to stand firm and experience victory:
1. Cultivate Obedience
I can over emphasize the importance of diligently obeying God's voice. While we're not expected to be perfect, striving for obedience is crucial. Listening to and following God's guidance, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, strengthens our spiritual foundation.
Deuteronomy 28:1 NIV If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
2. Embrace Repentance
We all fall short.
Romans 3:23-24 NCV [23] Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, [24] and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Recognizing our sins, both intentional and unintentional, and repenting allows us to maintain a clear conscience before God. Repentance removes any common ground the enemy might try to exploit.
3. Remember God's Presence
We must remember that God is our warrior.
Exodus 15:2-3 NIV [2] “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. [3] The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. (emphasis mine)
He fights on our behalf.
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (emphasis mine)
4. Stand in Victory
David's confidence against Goliath stemmed from his understanding of God's covenant. As believers, we fight from a position of victory in Christ knowing that God is for us and empowers us to face any challenge.
Romans 8:31-39 NIV [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
5. Unleash the Power of Praise
Praise is a powerful weapon.
2 Chronicles 20:20-22 NIV [20] Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” [21] After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” [22] As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. (emphasis mine)
Praise can pave the way for God's intervention.
6. Equip Yourself with Spiritual Armor
Use the spiritual armor that God provides
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Understanding and using the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit strengthens our defense.
7. Maintain Prayerful Watchfulness
Staying connected to the Holy Spirit through prayer provides discernment and strengthens our ability to resist the enemy's attacks.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
By taking responsibility for our actions, cultivating obedience, and using the spiritual tools God provides, we can stand firm against the enemy and experience the victory He has promised.
Remember, God is with you, and He empowers you to overcome every challenge.
James 4:7-10 NIV [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
God promises to empower us against our adversaries.
Psalms 91:1-16 NIV [1] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” [3] Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. [5] You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, [6] nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. [8] You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. [9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, [10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. [11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; [12] they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. [13] You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. [14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
However, our own actions can sometimes create openings for the enemy. Let's explore seven practical ways to stand firm and experience victory:
1. Cultivate Obedience
I can over emphasize the importance of diligently obeying God's voice. While we're not expected to be perfect, striving for obedience is crucial. Listening to and following God's guidance, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, strengthens our spiritual foundation.
Deuteronomy 28:1 NIV If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
2. Embrace Repentance
We all fall short.
Romans 3:23-24 NCV [23] Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, [24] and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.
Recognizing our sins, both intentional and unintentional, and repenting allows us to maintain a clear conscience before God. Repentance removes any common ground the enemy might try to exploit.
3. Remember God's Presence
We must remember that God is our warrior.
Exodus 15:2-3 NIV [2] “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. [3] The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. (emphasis mine)
He fights on our behalf.
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (emphasis mine)
4. Stand in Victory
David's confidence against Goliath stemmed from his understanding of God's covenant. As believers, we fight from a position of victory in Christ knowing that God is for us and empowers us to face any challenge.
Romans 8:31-39 NIV [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
5. Unleash the Power of Praise
Praise is a powerful weapon.
2 Chronicles 20:20-22 NIV [20] Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” [21] After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” [22] As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. (emphasis mine)
Praise can pave the way for God's intervention.
6. Equip Yourself with Spiritual Armor
Use the spiritual armor that God provides
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Understanding and using the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit strengthens our defense.
7. Maintain Prayerful Watchfulness
Staying connected to the Holy Spirit through prayer provides discernment and strengthens our ability to resist the enemy's attacks.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
By taking responsibility for our actions, cultivating obedience, and using the spiritual tools God provides, we can stand firm against the enemy and experience the victory He has promised.
Remember, God is with you, and He empowers you to overcome every challenge.
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