Series on Spiritual Warfare
In this series of posts, we will discuss spiritual warfare and how it influences and impacts us as family members who have difficult situations in our families.
Part 4
As we continue our discussion about spiritual warfare, let us remember that our fight is not against our family members or other people.
We are in a real battle; yes, indeed, we are. But we are fighting forces of evil in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul reminds the church at Ephesus, that if you want to be successful in warfare against demonic forces of evil in this dark world, you must be fully dressed for battle. You must know how to resist the devil and stand your ground on an evil day. And when you have done everything, continue to stand.
What’s an evil day?
- It might be a day when you sense evil
- When you feel danger
- When you hear a negative report
- When you feel oppressed
- When battles are raging within you or around you.
- It might be a day when everything seems to go wrong in so many ways.
According to the Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word evil carries many connotations. Some of the words Strong’s Concordance uses to describe evil are hurtful, calamitous (involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous), morally culpable (deserving blame), i.e., derelict, vicious, mischief, malice, the devil, bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, and wicked.
We have to discern using our spiritual senses when it’s an evil day.
Here’s my point. Let’s tune in with our spiritual senses and not be unaware of the enemy’s devices. Let’s not fall prey to him and get into an argument or a scuffle with our family members or the people around us. But let’s recognize where the real battle is going on. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
We have to learn to stand firm when adversity strikes at our doorstep or attacks from the enemy come our way. To stand firm means to be immovable from the place we are standing. That place needs to be on the Word of God and in the place of Victory. The Bible tells us we have authority over all the power of the enemy and nothing will harm us. (Luke 10:19)
We are overcomers. To stand means to keep our place. We aren’t going to back down, walk off, or give up. To stand means to be kept intact, to be safe, or escape in safety. To stand means to uphold or enforce the authority of anything. We uphold and enforce the authority of the Word of God. To stand means to “continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared, to be of a steadfast mind. Of the quality of standing, it means one who does not hesitate, does not waiver.” (Strong’s Concordance KJV Stand 2476)
I picture standing firm like a tower that can stay standing no matter what storms comes against it.
We are to be like that tower, strong, immovable, steadfast, unshakable, straight, tall, firm, rooted and grounded in the Word of God, resolute, determined, and not wavering from our position on the Word of God, the Truth.
For example, perhaps you have loved ones in your family that have wandered away from their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One day, the enemy comes with these thoughts bombarding your mind “your children are lost forever, they’ll never return, they love the world’s ways too much. Look at them they are living wild lives. There is no way they will ever return. Shut up, give up, and back down. Your prayers are not effective. What do you see? Look at them, they’re going further and further away from their Christian upbringing. It’s hopeless”. And on and on can be the barrage of thoughts the enemy comes to torment and defeat you with, to get you to stop praying, but especially to topple your faith in God’s Word that they are returning.
But you, my friend, continue to stand firm.
You continue to declare God’s Word. You continue to stand on the promises of God. And you tell the devil to leave you. You fall out of agreement with those thoughts and you replace them with the Words Jesus has spoken to you about your loved ones. Words like “As for me and my house, we are serving the Lord.” It’s a good idea to have some Scriptures tucked inside your heart that the Lord has spoken to you about your loved ones. Or just go look up Jesus’ words in red in the New Testament and combat those evil thoughts with His Words. You and I bring out the arsenal of the Word of God when those attacks come.
Remember, a house built on a firm foundation will stand the storms that come its way. Jesus said that everyone who hears His words and puts them into practice will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. His house will stand firm when the storms come. If, however, we hear His words (Scripture) and do not put them into practice, Jesus said we would be like a foolish man who built his house of sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) In other words, there is no strong foundation. And when the severe storms come, and they will come, that house will fall. Standing firm entails having a solid foundation on which we stand firm.
Jesus Christ is our firm, solid foundation. Then we will remain standing when the storms of life come or when the darkness prevails around us or when the enemy tries to kill, steal or destroy our lives, our family’s lives, and other lives. (John 10:10) We will be found still standing because we are standing on the Rock, on the solid foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
How are you standing firm on the Word of God through your trials?
Are you able to say like the Apostle Paul, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed?” (2 Corinthians 4:7-8)
A prayer for all of us:
Lord, help all of us to be strong in You and in the power of Your might. God, may we know that the battle is Yours and not ours. Therefore, God, teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12) Lord, help us all to stand firm. And God may we know that we are not fighting people but against wicked spirits in high places. Therefore, Lord, may we all daily put on the armor of God. And may we stay alert, resist the enemy, and stand firm in our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Marlene’s mission is to bring the fire of God’s love to the hurting enabling them to find healing, restoration, and wholeness in order for them to be released into the fullness of their destiny.
Marlene has a unique combination of credentials. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with The International Coach Federation, as well as a BALM® Certified Family Recovery Life Coach. She is also certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Family Recovery Specialist.
Contact Marlene to learn more about working with her, enrolling in one of her classes, or joining her prayer movement.
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