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In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, the apostle Paul talked straight about the spiritual battle of faith. He exhorted them to:
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:10–13 ESV)
In recognizing that the battle is real, I’m motivated to prepare for the fight. The Bible maps out my rules of engagement and holds my trembling hands until they calm. I have to keep in mind that the battle is ultimately not mine. It is God’s. And when I suit up in His strength, He goes before me and fights on my behalf.
What help do I have to stand firm against attacks from Satan and his cronies?
Truth: Protects me against damaging lies.
Righteousness (by faith through grace in Christ): Annihilates my sin.
Peace: Guards my heart and mind. Motivates me to share the hope of Jesus.
Faith: Protects me from attacks and extinguishes the flaming darts of the Evil One.
Salvation: In Christ alone. Conquers death. It is finished. Team Victory wins.
The sword of the Spirit: The Word of God. Inherent. Flawless. Guides me in all truth.
Pray in the Spirit: Connects me to God’s power.
How do I invite the Holy Spirit to lead me each day? By putting on the armor of God in prayer and stepping up in faith to stand firm in His power. (Note to self: review that list when I feel exhausted, intimidated, and battle worn.)
Let’s connect another power dot here. When Jesus promised to send His disciples the Helper, He linked the Holy Spirit to truth: “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you in all truth” (John 16:13). Truth has to lead my battles. When I believe lies, I choose to join Team Defeat. (No thank you.)
Jesus went on to pray for us, His followers, that the truth would protect us from Satan:
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:15–17).
God’s Word is truth, and truth protects us. It sanctifies us. Helps us grow in holiness. Helps us recognize the difference between God’s ways and the ways of the world.
The Holy Spirit leads me to a faith with greater power because the Spirit of God will always lead me in the ways of the Word. Toward knowing, obeying, loving, and trusting Jesus in everything. I want that. So I pray with the psalmist, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Ps. 25:5).
Yes. Faith is a tug-of-war, but I’m not without hope, help, or power.
And neither are you.
When we call upon the Holy Spirit, who is the anchor of all things truth, comfort, guidance, and power, He helps us gain traction in every battle of life.
Lord,
Thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Please open my eyes wide to all the courage, strength, and wisdom You have for me in Christ.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
In what area of your life do you feel the enemy is attacking you?
What is one thing you’ll do or believe today to help you stand firm in the power of God? “Today I will …” (Tweet your answer to me @GwenSmithMusic or leave a comment on my Facebook page.)
Because of Grace,
GWEN
Comments 10
What I have learned this far , is learning to turn to him in the little things and building my trust in his truths as the bigger thing s happen i am less likely to doubt or fear. I have all I need in him. he is more than enough and the best place for me to take rest. thank you Jesus.
Blessings to you sister Yvette. I was also encouraged by this blog from Gwen & wanted to let you know I identify with loss & grief recently. My mom passed in April. Yet I am finding God’s presence, patience, and help in abundance. Jesus has been sitting with me in my season of mourning, Sorry for the loss o your precious husband & as a fellow traveller, I am praying for you. Isaiah 42:1-3 depicts the Lord’s heart towards us, his children!!
Yvette,
I am so sorry for your deep loss. It must hurt something fierce.
I’m also thankful that you walk with the Prince of Peace…… He is there with His arms around you, slowly imparting that peace into your heart and life.
Lord….. Please, allow Yvette to sense your Presence in a new and very special way. She really needs you now.
I will pray for you, Sister. May God grant His mightiest blessings upon you ~~ ❤️
Thank you God. I always have a choice and I choose you. Just like a baby taking tentative steps, I rely on you to help me walk and not fall. Knowing that you are always there when I call upon you gives me such peace and assurance. I am NEVER alone. You are ALWAYS there. If I did not have you, I don’t know what I would do. You are my ALL and ALL. Thank you Jesus for the good and the bad. I learn a lot, am still learning. I know that I am not perfect, but what a blessing to know that you forgive me and that you love me just as I am. You know me, you see me and I am wonderfully and fearfully made in your honor. It’s not easy living this life however, I am looking forward to the day that I come face to face with you and live in your light forever.
Today I will have confidence in Christ to help me through my fear of rejection. In Jesus name….. Amen
Today I choose to believe in Jesus and His promises to me at all times …specially in storms. I choose to dig deeper in His word and remember His faithfulness and remember to ask Him regarding decisions I am asked to make. Today I will choose to let go and trust more. Today I choose to let go of my past and even if I’m triggered by something…..when i think on it i can remember Ive already dealt with it and left it at the cross. Its gone…..Thank you Jesus. Today I can try and move closer to Him. Thank you Jesus for your grace that covers me….
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! I choose to remind myself of your past faithfulness.
…..ppps Yes, Thank you for your encouragement!!! 🙂
I will trust God in all areas of my life. Lately my life has been in shambles after the death of my husband. My faith in God was little, but through it all I’m learning once again to have faith in Him, my Creator and Lord. Thanks for this encouragement!!
Lord I thank you for your Grace. All fear and anxiety was nailed to your cross. Thank you that faith takes what Grace has already provided. We as your people are Victorious!! The battle does not belong to us but to you. And you have already won it!
Just what I needed today. Between all of the readings I’ve done in the past week or so I am seeing more and more how joyless and defeated my life has become. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for a couple years now. Some hard events and living in construction of my house while trying to do most of the work on our own triggered it. I need to move on an leave the past behind. Even now there is still stress and overwhelm but nothing really out of ordinary for any mom. I am prone to panic and overwhelm when too much happens at once. Turning it very defeated. “I can’t do it any more” . Is my response when something goes wrong. No I can’t but I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Lord Jesus please make that verse my belt of truth. Be my strength in all my days and reveal your presence to me in a special way so there is no mistaking it as you alone. I need to learn to rely on you again.