Standing your Ground
This isn't just a regular fight. This isn't just one on one. This is for the generations to come. You aren't just going to be attacked when you're at school or work, you are going to be attacked smack bang on your way to church. When you least expect it, when you thought you were the most prepared -the devil wants to come and steal your faith!
'Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.'
1 Peter 5:8-9
It's not time to be meek and mild, it's time to FUEL UP and stand your ground! Have you ever noticed that soldiers stock up on everything before they prepare to fight in the trenches? They know that if they are going to be able to withstand the fight, they have to be armed not just with weapons but with FUEL!
We need to adopt the same approach - we can't just rely on our previous experiences or our skills, our spirit needs to be filled with God's word! For about the last 6-8 months I have been intentionally 'feasting' on God's word like never before.
People didn't get why I was at a minimum of 2 church services a week, when I only 'had' to go to one. People didn't get why I was watching hour long sermons every second day of the week or only listening to praise/worship music. But I KNEW that this wasn't about being a 'good christian', this was about arming myself for spiritual warfare!!
'For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
This may sound a bit over the top for some -but I promise you it was and still is sooo necessary!! If I was going to be able to discern the devil's ploys from God's, I needed to KNOW God's voice and the word that he has spoken over my life!
This wasn't just going to happen if I just heard God speak every month or so, maybe it's just me but I need to have confirmation after confirmation -sometimes literally that 'this' is what God was saying!
People often want to head straight into battle, but before David faced Goliath he was alone in the field for days and days.
It's learning to be strong and steadfast when there is no one cheering you on, that will really prepare you to stand your ground when opposition comes.
'My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.'
Proverbs 2:1-5
Have you noticed that when you are all alone with your thoughts, that you get bombarded with the devil's mind games the most?
This doesn't change when you're in public or surrounded by people but if you have learnt how to shut it down when you're alone, you are so more equipped to do so on a bigger scale!
We need to learn to stand firm on the word God has spoken over us and constantly take captive every thought that comes against it.
Don’t be surprised when straight after an amazing church conference, a church camp, a life-changing encounter you seem to get bombarded with doubt, fear or uncertainty!
It can be so easy when you are in an atmosphere of worship to agree with the word that God is given you, but as soon as we are back in our daily routine we can doubt what we heard or saw...You are not alone.
I've found that when I am the most sensitive to hearing God's voice, I am also the most susceptible to the devil's attack.
But I've found the best way to combat this is to speak out and write down what God has said as soon as possible. That way when the devil tries to twist what you heard, you can refer back to what you wrote down and declare -'NO - This is what the Lord said!'.
My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!...
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
Psalms 57:7-11
Remember the reason you are being attacked is because the devil knows the power that is in YOU! And God has already gone before you and won the victory! All he asked is for us to stay alert, tune into his word and stand our ground!
'But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you.'
2 Chronicles 20:17
The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”
Deuteronomy 28:7
