Christian Living
When I first heard in my spirit to start sharing my blogposts on a particular platform, my initial response was- ‘No Lord’. My immediate concern at the time was that I had friends on this platform who don’t really know me as a Bible preacher/teacher. Little did I know that my friends should be the least of my concerns, as there are WILES of the devil to contend with. Few weeks after I started ministering God’s Word on this platform, it was as though hell opened its gates wide and unleashed forces after me. But I am still standing, Praise God!
In this article, I’ll be sharing on my walk with God as He taught me by His Spirit to be Strong In The Lord.
Before I start sharing on what I have learnt on HOW to be strong in the Lord, here are a few points to note…..
1. Why does a Christian need to be Strong In The Lord?
Because the devil is real and he operates as an opposing force to the work of God.
Ephesians 6: 10-12 says…
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV
This portion of scripture gives us at least 2 reasons to be Strong In The Lord;
- There are WILES of the devil to stand against.
- There is a spiritual warfare every believer is involved in.
Wiles as used in Ephesians 6:10 donotes cunning and devious strategies, schemes, manipulations and trikery of the devil. Wiles are usually intended to ensnare and deceive someone.
Child of God, make no mistake about it, there’s a devil out there whose sole agenda is to steal from you, kill and destroy you (John 10:10). He will never announce himself as a thief, destroyer or killer, rather he specializes in throwing deceptive schemes laced with lies at you. God doesn’t want us oblivious of his tricks, strategies, lies or manipulations. Being strong in the Lord positions us to recognize and withstand these devious schemes.
2. You need the Lord’s Strength to Stand against the WILES of the devil.
You may have Dwayne Johnson’s body form, yet be overcome by the evil.
To successfully stand against the above mentioned wiles, you need the Lord’s strength (not your own strength). You need to be Strengthened and Fierce In your Spirit by the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10 actually says it clearly- to be strong IN the Lord. The strength you need to overcome is the Lord’s strength, not yours.
“Finally, my brethren, be STRONG IN THE LORD and in the power of His might.“
Ephesians 6:10 NKJV
Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Church to be strengthened in the INNERMAN, remains relevant and applicable to every believer today.
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit In the Innerman”
Ephesians 3:16 NKJV
Friend, to be victorious as a believer, you must be strengthened in the innerman (your spirit). The good news is when you are strengthened in your spirit your mind and body align as well.
One of the scriptures the Lord gave me years ago, in the heat of my health challenge was Psalm 118:14…..
“The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” Psalms 118:14 NKJV
Dear friend, the Lord is your Strength, Your Song and Your Salvation. He will strengthen you, save you and give you victory. Halleluyah!
3. Every Day is the Day to be strong in the Lord
There are no off-days in being strong in the Lord.
See 1 Peter 5:8-9……
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” I Peter 5:8-9 NKJV
If our adversary is always roaming around seeking whom to devour, then every day is the day to be vigilant and alert in spirit. Every day is the day to be steadfast in faith in order to successfully resist him.
Does this mean we are to keep a vigil for this adversary? NO! As we will see later in this study, the devil is not omnipresent, omnipotent or omniscient. So your attention shouldn’t really be on him, as to being terrified of his next move. No! God your Father is the ONLY omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient One. And you have His Spirit in you. So one way to be sensitive to the tricks and schemes of the adversary is to be always ALIVE to the Holy Spirit who is resident in you. He knows all things. And if you stay ‘glued’ to Him, He will guide and guard you from the enemy’s onslaughts. Halleluyah!!!
4. Recognize that As Faith Pleases God, Even So Fear Attracts the devil.
God has not given you the spirit of fear. So if fear is tormenting you in any way or form, it is not from God. Resist it until it leaves you. The spirit you received from God is the spirit of love, of power and of a sound mind, not of fear (II Timothy 1:7). You need to stir up the spirit in you because there’s no room for fear when you are in this state.
5. REST, Assured of the Father’s faithfulness.
According to 2 Thessalonians 3:3, we can be assured of God’s faithfulness in strengthening us to overcome…..
“But THE LORD IS FAITHFUL . He will give you strength and protect you from the Evil One.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 ERV
God is faithful.
Again, I remember that period when I was really ill, sometimes the only confession I was strong enough to utter was; ‘Father I rest in your faithfulness.’ And His faithfulness kept me. Halleluyah!
My friend, you can rest in the Father’s faithfulness.
His faithfulness is constant (Romans 3:3-4)
His faithfulness is a Shield (Psalm 91:4)
Praise the Lord.
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Please join me next Monday as I share what I have learnt on ‘How To Be Strong IN The Lord‘.
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