EMILY WICKHAM began her writing and speaking journey in 2005. She writes for Lifeway Christian Resources and enjoys serving the Lord as an author, speaker, and podcaster. She teaches via Indestructible Life, a podcast where women discover the life Jesus is and treasure the life God's Word gives. Emily also shares brief messages about the return of Christ on her YouTube channel. Please connect with Emily by subscribing below to her blog, Heart Stirrings.
Be Strong
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10, NASB
Though the warfare in our minds can reach intense levels, our Savior is stronger. #SpiritualWarfare #ChristianLiving Share on XDear Readers,
Living the Christian life involves battle. Spirtual warfare. And this unwelcome yet necessary engagement requires us to rely on the Lord.
He is strong whereas we are not.
I am learning that much of this battle is waged in the mind. Our enemy, the devil, uses various assault tactics. He twists the truth of Scripture, he accuses and heaps guilt relentlessly, he lies constantly, and more. His evil can wreak havoc in our minds, but our strength resides in Christ.
The Lord is our strength.
Let’s look at some of the evil one’s methods and expose them with Scripture:
#1: Satan twists truth
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1
Way back in the garden, satan showed his true self. He took God’s Word and twisted it, a tool he still implements today. Rather than properly quoting God’s instruction to Adam, he replicated the commandment with a slight alteration. God actually commanded, “From any tree in the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:16-17). The evil one slithered in and perverted God’s statement, changing the meaning entirely. He successfully cast doubt into Eve’s mind and deceived her. The rest, as they say, is history.
Yet Jesus IS truth, and He never changes.
#2: Satan accuses and condemns
“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10
“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:33-34
Satan loves to immobilize us with his accusations and condemnation, but our Lord Jesus Christ stands firm, interceding for His own. Isn’t that amazing? HE is strong, the one who holds the power. HE secured our salvation by dying for our sins and rising again on the third day. Despite our sinfulness, we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness by virtue of our faith in Him. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). So when the evil one haunts us with accusations and condemning thoughts, let’s remember, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Christ stands firm, interceding for His own.
#3: Satan lies
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” John 8:44
Did you catch the phrase, “there is no truth in him”? Absolutely none. We can be assured that when we listen to whatever our enemy says, we’re listening to lies. Rather than giving air time to this “father of lies,” let’s listen to our Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us. Let’s learn to recognize His voice above satan’s clamor. The Lord will lead us exactly where we need to go. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:10-11).
Jesus gave His life so we can truly live.
We can face our spiritual battles with courage and confidence when we are wrapped in the “strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Though the warfare in our minds can reach intense levels, our Savior is stronger. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13). In the words of the old hymn, “Onward, Christian Soldiers”!
In Christ’s Love,
P.S. Please join me on my podcast, Indestructible Life, for the latest three episodes on the life of Joseph:
- From Humbled to Exalted | Genesis 41:1-46
- How to Guard Your Heart | Genesis 41:46-42:24
- Waiting with Courage | Genesis 43:13-34
Each episode also is available on YouTube. May you be blessed.
Thank you Ms. Emily. We have to remember that our strength comes from Him, and that He already knows the outcome of the trial we’re facing, which means He has already see us through it.
Hi, J.D.,
Amen, the Lord is our strength! And He is ever faithful.
In Christ’s Love,
Emily