Stand Firm
Stand Firm
We are in the midst of a spiritual war. This cosmic clash between good and evil rages with great intensity throughout our world, and it's a reality that believers cannot afford to ignore. To ignore this reality of spiritual warfare is not neutrality—it's surrender. The enemy doesn't wait for our acknowledgment to wage war; he only gains ground when we refuse to stand.
Why Have We Forgotten About Spiritual Warfare?
Until the 18th century, the church largely held a supernatural worldview—a belief in the active power of God as well as the real influence of Satan in this life. However, during the Enlightenment period, there was a shift that sought to eliminate the possibility of the supernatural in the physical world.
This shift had a profound effect on the church. Even supernatural events in the Bible began to be explained away or removed. Deism gained tremendous influence, promoting the belief that God created the universe but then stepped back, allowing the world to run on its own.
Though most Christians today wouldn't entirely remove the supernatural, there is certainly a downplaying of it in many churches. Because of this, many church members, out of curiosity about the supernatural, have begun to engage in material linked to cults and witchcraft, opening the door to deception and spiritual bondage.
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Warfare?
Ephesians 6:10-18 provides our foundation for understanding spiritual warfare:
"Finally, 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."
The key point is this: The armor of God equips the believer to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Why Must We Stand Firm?
Throughout Scripture, believers are called to stand firm:
In ancient warfare, to lose your footing in battle was to lose your life. The biblical text employs this analogy of standing firm to underscore the crucial importance of holding one's ground in faith. The armor of God is the divine equipping of the saints for war, enabling us to remain standing in every season, in every circumstance, in every battle.
What Are the Devil's Schemes?
John 10:10 tells us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." The devil's ultimate goal is to destroy that which is good. Whatever schemes the devil devises are directed toward bringing destruction to what is good.
The devil wants you to either bow to his plan of destruction willingly or to stumble and fall unwillingly. But what the devil fears most is when we remain standing.
Biblical Examples of Standing Firm
How Does the Devil Attack Believers Today?
1 Peter 5:8 warns us: "Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
The enemy sneaks around like a predator, seeking an easy target to devour. A predator doesn't go after those who are standing together strong and united. It goes after the weak, those lagging behind, doing their own thing.
Deception and False Teaching
1 Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."
You don't depart from something you were never part of. Don't think just because you said a prayer or signed a confession card that you're automatically right with God. The Bible says, "By their fruit you will know them."
2 Timothy 4:3 warns, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
This time is here now. People find churches that justify their sinful lifestyles instead of speaking the truth that they need to hear. Denominations have gone apostate to fit in with cultural norms, which was foretold in Scripture (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
How Do We Fight This Spiritual Battle?
Remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the kingdom of darkness. When someone is lost and under the influence of demonic activity, we must not forget our mission to bring the light of the gospel into every situation.
We must speak truth in love. Truth without love is not really truth, and love without truth is not really love. We speak truth in love even to those who may appear too far from God because no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.
For believers to be effective in spiritual warfare, we need to be dressed for battle:
Life Application
Consider the story of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of the apostle John. When faced with death unless he denied Christ, the 86-year-old man stood firm, saying: "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
Even as they bound him to the stake and lit the fire, Polycarp remained immovable, clothed in the full armor of God. His death became a testimony that strengthened the Church and drew many to salvation.
This week, ask yourself:
As Warren Wiersbe stated, "The Christian life is not a playground—it's a battleground." May we go out this week more equipped as the saints of God to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, standing firm in the faith, uncompromised and unashamed.
We are in the midst of a spiritual war. This cosmic clash between good and evil rages with great intensity throughout our world, and it's a reality that believers cannot afford to ignore. To ignore this reality of spiritual warfare is not neutrality—it's surrender. The enemy doesn't wait for our acknowledgment to wage war; he only gains ground when we refuse to stand.
Why Have We Forgotten About Spiritual Warfare?
Until the 18th century, the church largely held a supernatural worldview—a belief in the active power of God as well as the real influence of Satan in this life. However, during the Enlightenment period, there was a shift that sought to eliminate the possibility of the supernatural in the physical world.
This shift had a profound effect on the church. Even supernatural events in the Bible began to be explained away or removed. Deism gained tremendous influence, promoting the belief that God created the universe but then stepped back, allowing the world to run on its own.
Though most Christians today wouldn't entirely remove the supernatural, there is certainly a downplaying of it in many churches. Because of this, many church members, out of curiosity about the supernatural, have begun to engage in material linked to cults and witchcraft, opening the door to deception and spiritual bondage.
What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Warfare?
Ephesians 6:10-18 provides our foundation for understanding spiritual warfare:
"Finally, 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."
The key point is this: The armor of God equips the believer to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Why Must We Stand Firm?
Throughout Scripture, believers are called to stand firm:
- "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13)
- "Stand firm in one spirit" (Philippians 1:27)
- "Stand firm thus in the Lord" (Philippians 4:1)
- "Stand firm and hold to the traditions" (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
- "Stand firm in it" (1 Peter 5:12)
- "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm therefore" (Galatians 5:1)
In ancient warfare, to lose your footing in battle was to lose your life. The biblical text employs this analogy of standing firm to underscore the crucial importance of holding one's ground in faith. The armor of God is the divine equipping of the saints for war, enabling us to remain standing in every season, in every circumstance, in every battle.
What Are the Devil's Schemes?
John 10:10 tells us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." The devil's ultimate goal is to destroy that which is good. Whatever schemes the devil devises are directed toward bringing destruction to what is good.
The devil wants you to either bow to his plan of destruction willingly or to stumble and fall unwillingly. But what the devil fears most is when we remain standing.
Biblical Examples of Standing Firm
- Jesus was tempted by the devil with the riches and pleasures of the world. It was especially enticing because it promised not only the treasures of this earth but also provided a way to escape the road to Calvary—to bypass pain, suffering, rejection, and death. But Jesus remained standing.
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. They said, "Our God can save us, but even if he does not, we will not bow." They remained standing regardless of the consequences.
How Does the Devil Attack Believers Today?
1 Peter 5:8 warns us: "Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
The enemy sneaks around like a predator, seeking an easy target to devour. A predator doesn't go after those who are standing together strong and united. It goes after the weak, those lagging behind, doing their own thing.
Deception and False Teaching
1 Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."
You don't depart from something you were never part of. Don't think just because you said a prayer or signed a confession card that you're automatically right with God. The Bible says, "By their fruit you will know them."
2 Timothy 4:3 warns, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
This time is here now. People find churches that justify their sinful lifestyles instead of speaking the truth that they need to hear. Denominations have gone apostate to fit in with cultural norms, which was foretold in Scripture (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
How Do We Fight This Spiritual Battle?
Remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the kingdom of darkness. When someone is lost and under the influence of demonic activity, we must not forget our mission to bring the light of the gospel into every situation.
We must speak truth in love. Truth without love is not really truth, and love without truth is not really love. We speak truth in love even to those who may appear too far from God because no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.
For believers to be effective in spiritual warfare, we need to be dressed for battle:
- The belt of truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- Shoes of the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
- The helmet of salvation
- The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)
Life Application
Consider the story of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of the apostle John. When faced with death unless he denied Christ, the 86-year-old man stood firm, saying: "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
Even as they bound him to the stake and lit the fire, Polycarp remained immovable, clothed in the full armor of God. His death became a testimony that strengthened the Church and drew many to salvation.
This week, ask yourself:
- In what areas of my life have I been ignoring the reality of spiritual warfare?
- Where have I compromised truth to fit in with cultural norms?
- Am I fully equipped with the armor of God, or am I entering battle unprepared?
- How can I speak truth in love to those who are deceived by the enemy?
As Warren Wiersbe stated, "The Christian life is not a playground—it's a battleground." May we go out this week more equipped as the saints of God to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, standing firm in the faith, uncompromised and unashamed.
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