STAND FIRM - OVERCOME AND RESIST

As we stand firm in the Faith we must take up the full armor of God. Below is quoted from Charles Spurgeon. Here he instructs us with the verse from 1 Peter 5:9 : But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”   

HOW WE MAY OVERCOME THIS ADVERSARY

“Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” This is our first means of defense. When Satan attacks us as an angel of light, we need not so much resist by open antagonism as by flight. There are some temptations that are to be overcome only by running away from them, but when Satan roars, we must raise the shout and the war cry. To run then would be cowardice and must entail certain destruction.

 

Suppose now that Satan roars with persecution, or suppose you are slandered, vilified, abused---will you give way? Then are you undone. Will you say, “No, never. By Him who called me to this work, I will see this battle out.” You have done well: you have resisted, and you will win the day. Has he assailed you with some temptation obnoxious to your spirit? Yield an inch, and you are undone, but become more watchful and vigilant over yourself in that particular sin, and resistance must certainly bring victory. Or has he injected blasphemy? Resist. Be more prayerful every time he is more active. He will soon give it up if you find that his attacks drive you to Christ. Often has Satan been nothing but a big black dog to drive Christ’s sheep nearer to the Master. Match Satan by turning his temptations to good account, and he will soon give up that method of warfare.

Resist him. But how? “Steadfast in the faith” Seek to obtain a clear knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel and then get a good grip of them. Be ready to die rather than give up a particle of God’s revealed truth. This will make you strong. Then take hold of the promises of God which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Know that to every doctrine there is some opposite promise. Have ready for every attack some strong word commencing with “It is written.”

All the water outside a ship cannot sink it. It is the water inside that perils the ship’s safety. So if your faith can keep its hold and you can say, “Though he slay me yet will I trust in him,” Satan may batter your shield, but he has not wounded your flesh. The conflict may be long, but the victory is absolutely sure. Keep near to the cross, and you are safe. Throw your arms around the dying Savior. Let the droppings of His blood fall on your sins, and even if you cannot see Him, still believe in Him. Then let Satan roar, he cannot hurt; let him rage, his fury is vain; he may only show his teeth, for he certainly cannot bite. “Whom resist, steadfast in the faith.”

 

 

Be Steadfast

As Christians we need to hold fast, to stand firm in the faith. Be steadfast in resisting the evil one, be strong in the faith, and give glory to God. Be steadfast and unmovable. Being a Christian brings it’s share of troubles and trials. It is a part of the Christian life. Be courageous. We must keep standing at the end of our struggle and trials. We must take up the full armor of God so that we will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Eph. 6:13

It is by trials and testings that perseverance is obtained and learned.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

Satan assaults the Christian, putting on the armor of God is absolutely necessary Eph 6. We must pray for one another and encourage one another. Build each other up in the Faith. Be aware of other’s needs and struggles that they do not lack fellowship and become a target of the enemy because of isolation. Pray for those who are in the battle, and pray for us as well.

Do all you can to strengthen your brothers and sisters in the Faith. Sometimes the trials can be so strong and persistent that one may find themselves getting depressed and discouraged by the attacks of the enemy. Charles Spurgeon once said these words of encouragement for the Christian‘s warfare:

“Follow your Lord’s example. Someone says, “But I am depressed.” Very well, Fight depression with the word of God. I find that if I can lay a promise under my tongue, like a sweet lozenge, and keep it in my mouth or mind all day long, I am happy enough. If I cannot find a Scripture to comfort me, my inward troubles are multiplied. Fight despondency and despair with the sword of the Spirit. I do not know what your particular difficulty may be at this moment, but I give you this direction for all holy warfare: “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” You must overcome every enemy, and this weapon is all you need.”

Prayer should be our first reaction to the attacks of the enemy as we stand firm in the faith. In Ephesians 6:18 we read; “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” The Greek word for ‘petition’ refers to making specific requests. By praying specifically -- in detail, you will see God answer specifically for His glory. It is important that we pray specifically for victory in battle against the Enemy. This was the focus of Eph. 6:18.

Below are the dictionary definitions of the word ‘Steadfast’:

Stead fast - adj. 1. Firm of purpose; loyal and unwavering: a steadfast friend, a steadfast defender of one’s country. 2. Firmly fixed; not moving or changing: a steadfast gaze “

STEADFASTNESS ---stability in commitment or belief. The apostle Paul referred to “the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” (Col. 2:5). The loss of stability may be avoided if one will “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18).   The New Illustrated Bible Dictionary

STEADFASTNESS, Sterigmos (2 Pet. 3:17), in the usual sense of stability. (KJV rendering)

STABILITY (Gk. That upon which a thing can rest; in Col. 2:5 “stability of your faith” (“firm,” NIV), refers figuratively, in a military sense, to a solid front.

New Unger’s Bible Dictionary - Merrill F. Unger