ARTICLES

Standing Your Ground

By Kimberly Lemler
 

There is an enemy loose. He is prowling about, seeking those who will allow themselves to be devoured. He is insidious, relentless, cunning, full of hate and malice, and ready to nail your coffin shut in a heartbeat if you give him permission.

 

This enemy is satan and the Bible talks about him as the “enemy of your souls”. His names are many: Abaddon; Accuser of the brethren; Adversary; Angel of the bottomless pit; Angel of light; Antichrist; Apollyon; Beelzebub; Belial; Devil; Dragon; Enemy; Evil spirit; Father (father) of all liars; God (god) of this world; Great red dragon; Man of sin; Murderer; Old serpent; Power of darkness;  Prince of this world; Prince of the power of the air; Roaring lion; Ruler of darkness; Serpent; Son of perdition; Tempter; Thief; and the Wicked one.

 

Although he is not omnipresent, he has a vast army of cohorts who are his ears and eyes and who answer to him exclusively as privates would to a general. Ephesians talks about them as “principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world”. They are everywhere and live in the homes, minds and bodies of millions of people all over the world, wreaking havoc with overt ferociousness and covert deception.

 

The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that we have POWER over this enemy….power that will make him quiver in fear every time he attempts to mess with a child of the living God.  “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” – Luke 10:19

 

It’s Time We Stood Our Ground…
 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:10-18
 

 

So, how DO we stand our ground?
 

1. First we make a CHOICE to stand our ground. “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”. – Deut. 30:19
2. Next we SUBMIT ourselves to God. We submit to His authority…His ways of doing and being right…His instructions written in His love letter to us. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
3. We PUT ON the full armor of God as listed in Ephesians 6. 
4. We RESIST the enemy. Tell him, “NO!”
5. We SPEAK the Word of God, which is our testimony, as Jesus did to satan when he came against Him in the wilderness. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..” – Rev. 12:11.
6. We CONTINUE to speak the Word when he tries to return…and he WILL try to return. “It is written: "I believed; thereforeI have spoken. With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.” – 2Cor 4:13
7. We never give up, never shrink back and never give up our ground...
   
    

Don’t Sign For It
 

If the UPS man came to your door with a package that was labeled “Venomous Snakes”, would you sign for it? I don’t think so! You should not be signing for any of satan’s evil when he comes to your door. If you give him even an inch, he will worm his way into your life and capture you as quickly as it takes to blink an eye.

 

 “and do not give the devil a foothold. – Eph. 4:27

 

It’s Your Choice
 

Satan is real. His devils are real. They live to destroy mankind, especially those who are living for God and do His will. You have a choice to receive them into your life or you have the choice to command them to flee. It’s up to you…

 

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." – Jos. 24:15

 

Stand your ground TODAY!!

Copyright © 2006. Author Kimberly Lemler. All Rights Reserved.