Standing Your Ground

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. - 
Ephesians 6:13 NLT

You may be familiar with the term “stand your ground” from the Trayvon Martin case.

That was an awful situation with a young man dying at the hands of someone who felt threatened and used a state law to defend his actions.

Standing your ground in that case was tragic and unfortunate.

In contrast, standing your ground as a Christ follower for the truth based on Scripture, is necessary for the spiritual battle taking place.

Just to put into context what the meaning of the term is:

The Stand Your Ground Law is a law that allows citizens to protect themselves if they feel their lives are in danger, regardless of whether they could have safely exited the situation.

With that being said, we have an obligation to protect ourselves using a stand your ground premise against our spiritual enemy.

Paul, for this reason tells us how to handle this a couple of ways: First we must realize that though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. – 2 Corinthians 2:3

Secondly, we need to put on every piece of God’s armor for the battle so that you can stand firm. – Ephesians 6:13

Paul was speaking of the spiritual warfare taking place in the Corinthian church. In the church at Ephesus, he was encouraging those believers on how to handle that warfare.

Both scriptures give us clear teaching on how to deal with spiritual warfare in our personal life as well in the world as we see it today.

Right now with everything going on this year, it’s imperative that the Body of Christ not lay down while a spiritual battle is taking place.

You and I, must stand our ground as it relates to standing for the absolute truth of God’s word. Not based on our emotions, feelings or opinions.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 - The Passion Translation
^3–4For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. ⁵We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. ⁶Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience.

So…taking our cue from Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Ephesians, what would it take TODAY to stand our ground:

Take a hard line stance on anything that is contrary to God’s Word. It’s time out for the church operating by the world’s viewpoint on matters of:
- the rights of the unborn
- family values,
- politics, gender, etc.
Cast down, disarm and dismantle every deceptive imagination, fantasy and defense behind which people hide such as:
- political and social movements and agendas: whether it’s DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, BLM, ANTIFA, SOCIALIST OR GLOBALIST.
- Laws that are being put in place condoning pedophilia and sex abuse of children without penalty.

As God’s sons and daughters, we should use God’s wisdom in these matters, not the wisdom of the world.

There is a spiritual war going on.

As much as we like to ignore it, there is a spiritual war going on.

Specifically, what we see in our society today is in direct opposition to God.

We can however, deal with this opposition by doing as Paul describes in the above verse, demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God such as:

Notion of same sex marriage that’s disguised as marriage equality
Abortion disguised as freedom of choice for women

These are in direct opposition to God’s Kingdom.

On the contrary, our weapons that God has given to His church, can destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God AND the TRUTH ABOUT GOD.

Spirit of Deception

Certainly, one of those proud obstacles we see is a SPIRIT OF DECEPTION.

That deception is to be expected in the world, but it’s also evident in the CHURCH with leaders falling away from the faith.

There is a spirit of deception in our youth who are bombarded with confusing messages regarding their sexuality.

A point often overlooked, is how Satan uses the same line against us from Genesis 3:1:

“Has God really said?”

Consequently, we’re living in a time where anything that has biblical truth attached to it, is and will be questioned.

All in all, for too long the church has become complacent. One thing is for certain, we can’t stand on our emotions or opinions.

Ultimately, you and I, are accountable and must stand our ground as it relates to standing for the absolute truth of Scripture.

As we do this, the Truth of God’s Word will draw people out of darkness into His marvelous Light.

Be Encouraged,
Stephanie

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the power that is in your Word that can pull down every stronghold. Help me to stand on your solid ground in these evil times, in Jesus mighty name!!! Amen