Be Strong

“…Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God,  that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).   Paul clearly outlines the enemy’s strategy for battles, rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.  Even though it often seems as though these strategies are prevailing, God has given believers powerful weapons to counter the attacks of the enemy.  “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.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”  (Ephesians 6:13-18).  It is no mistake that our spiritual weapons are described as battle dress.  We are in an ongoing battle standing against and engaging in one-on-one contact with a very real enemy.  Paul states emphatically that we are to put on the full armor of God and stand.  “To stand” means to remain standing after engaging in warfare and “stand” means to prepare and take your stand for the next battle.  These weapons are for aggressive resistance to satanic forces.  Paul’s final instruction focuses on prayer.  Putting on the armor of God is preparation for the battle.  Prayer is the battle.  God’s Word is the most powerful weapon we have to defeat the attacks of the enemy. If you are in the heat of a personal battle, be encouraged.  God’s Word is stronger than any weapon in Satan’s arsenal and will ultimately destroy every tactic he has launched at you.  The rulers of darkness of this age that are manifesting all around us, can - and will - be defeated by aggressive prayer and believers being prepared to withstand (vigorously oppose) and having done all, to stand (prepare for the next battle).  When your faith is in Jesus, you know the victory is yours.