Last week we embarked on a three week study by The Daily Grace Co., Stand Firm. This study will further teach us about the battles we face in life, how to be empowered, and fight the battle.
“As we aim to love and obey Him in all things, may we fight the good fight and look forward to the day of Christ’s final victory over sin.”
(from Stand Firm, page 9)
We began with reading Ephesians 6:10-20.
We are in a battle everyday and yet we often think we are prepared when in reality, we are not. Then we are left to wonder why we get weary and discouraged, experiencing “battle fatigue”.
Some points from the study:
- “This battle is not one we rise to fight on rare occasions. We fight this battle daily ….” (page 15)
- “We must not for a moment let our guards down, lest we become vulnerable to Satan’s schemes.” (page 15)
It was encouraging to be reminded that while we cannot avoid this battle, as we walk faithfully with God, we can fight back.
Jesus will: equip us to fight; empower us through His great might and strength; and save us. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us live with discernment and walk in truth.
The study asks: In what ways do you see the necessity to fight sin in your life? How do you find yourself preparing to fight sin?
As we began, my prayer was that the Lord would grow us in wisdom and discernment so that we will always be prepared for any battle which comes our way!
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The title of our reading was: “Know Your Enemy”, based on Ephesians 6:12:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (NASB)
It is so easy to forget the reality of the enemy we fight and the fight we face every single day.
We need to know how he operates if we are going to successfully win the battle for he has strategies and tactics, and is constantly scheming against us.
One sentence that stood out and was very sobering:
“He daily orchestrates evil in pursuit of turning others away from God and His goodness.”
(from Stand Firm, page 23)
Notice I put the word ‘daily’ in bold. Every day. He never misses a day. He is relentless.
Yet we can stand unmoved. We may shake a little but we keep on standing.
The study asks: What is your understanding of our enemy Satan? In what ways are you tempted to minimize his schemes?
May we not minimize his schemes and scheming. Our enemy is very real. The study reminds us of the words from the old hymn, “A Might Fortress is Our God.” Take the time to pause and listen to the words. Let them sink in and remind you that “God has willed His truth to triumph through us.”
“because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
(1 John 4:4, NASB)
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We closed the week with reading Ephesians 6:14:
“Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth …” (NASB)
And there we see it, we will only be able to stand firm as we belt the truth, God’s Word, to ourselves.
The Message words it this way: “God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.”
We cannot be without it.
The study brings out an interesting thought. The world will say that truth is subjective, meaning it is subject to opinion. But God’s Word makes it clear that truth is absolute and based upon Scripture.
The study asks: What is your understanding of truth? In what ways are you tempted to make truth dependent on your own opinion?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is referred to as “the logos”, The Word. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, reveals God’s Word to us and enables us to understand Scripture.
Some thoughts from the study:
- “He [Jesus} lived the words He instructed us to live.” (from page 31)
- “It is undeniably necessary to arm ourselves in God’s truth as we face the fight against sin every day.” (from page 31)
Let’s talk about truth today. We need to! Only the truth of God will help us to see the lies the enemy tries to plant in our lives. We desperately need truth because our lives depend on it.
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While battles will wage around us daily,
we have a fortress in our God,
who will equip us and enable us to stand firm.
Image 1: by mohssine achnaf from Pixabay
Image 2:Â by Uwe Jelting from Pixabay
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
Amen Ms. Joanne. Too often, we want to fight in that power (human willpower and desire) that we know and understand. As a soldier, I knew my limitations (e.g., effective range, firing rate, ability to read and understand environmental conditions so I could effectively place a shot, etc.). When I saw that I was facing an overwhelming force, I called in airstrikes or artillery to fight the battle for me.
As a Christian, I all too often try and fight spiritual battles using the human tools and skills I have. Simply put, I am over-matched, yet I fail to recognize my limitations and don’t call out for spiritual help until I am being overrun. What we must learn is that spiritual battles are not ours to fight, but to recognize and surrender them to God. When we do that, He ALWAYS fights for us. Our job is not to fight the spiritual battles, but to recognize, withstand, and watch God work! Well done ma’am. Well done.
J.D., thank you (!) for all you have added in your comments. I so appreciated your thoughts. May we recognize our limitations and call on God for the help we need for then we will not be over-matched.
Even though the enemy is relentless in his attacks & ploys daily, God’s love, strength & kindness is way more relentless to us every moment of the day & night Joanne. 😊
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Amen, Joanne. Thank you.
Such reassurance, Joanne. Thank you for reminding us that our Lord and Savior never rests in His protection of us. We are so blessed.