stay focused, stand firm
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“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]…,”
I Peter 5:8-9 (Amplified)
Okay. I won’t pretend that I have been saved, delivered and set free all of my adult life. Truth is I enjoyed a few drinks occasionally. I really can’t say why because the affects were always unpleasant. Only after having two drinks at the most my head was spinning. I couldn’t think rationally. My balance was off and most of all, I was not alert to my surroundings. In fact, I was easy prey to the dangers that lurked in the darkness of sin. I was a threat to my own well being as well as to others.
These passages always remind me of the vulnerable state we're in when drinking excessively. We’re not focused, cautious, or watchful at all times. We're unable to think rationally, and exercise self control. It’s impossible to focus and stand firm when your mental capacity is debilitated. Clear communication and comprehension are crucial to survival. Being cautious of surroundings, and obeying the laws are essentials for protection against danger. Do you see where I’m going?
Just as these practical guidelines in the natural are designed to protect us, so is the application of spiritual truths. Applying biblical principles will protect us from the evil attacks launched against the Kingdom of God. God’s Word empowers us to live victoriously in spite of the challenges we face in this world.
Apostle Peter writes this letter to the believers who were facing great suffering and persecution at the hands of the Roman government. It provided Christ-centered emphasis to offer hope and encouragement for believers by reminding them of Christ’s suffering. It was a hostile world for the followers of Christ, and SO IT IS TODAY! (In case you hadn’t noticed).
Although the methods of attack are different today, the hostility has intensified because the assignment of the enemy has not changed. Therefore, since the methods are different, we must become more alert to avoid being devoured by the enemy’s fierce tactics that often distracts us; leaving us defenseless if caught off guard.
We cannot afford to ignore or downplay the blatant attacks against the Church of Jesus Christ— the people of God who profess to be Christian by their lifestyle without apology or shame. Moreover, we certainly cannot panic. We must remember Who is in control, and who has the "keys" to the Kingdom. We must be strategically alert because the attacks can come from within and without—the enemy will use anyone available.
We must not fall prey to devouring tactics. Instead we must stay focused on the mission and stand firm on the message! We can only stay focused and stand firm through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. In this particular passage four applications are critical to keep us from being devoured by the enemy:
Be well balanced – Being well balanced requires mental application of the Word because the greatest battle is in the mind. Being well balanced involves the thought process, which governs an individual’s attitude, actions and affirmations.
Soberness of mind and self-control are crucial to survival, both naturally and spiritually. Without self-control and discipline we are unprotected against the thoughts the enemy will bring to our mind, and even the thoughts that derive from our sin (carnal) nature, which the enemy capitalizes on. Spiritual instability causes many to stumble and even fall, resulting in self-injury and hurting others. We are vulnerable to the mental attacks of the enemy when we are not rooted, grounded and established in the Word.
Mental application of the Word of God means speaking it (saying it aloud, proclaiming it, declaring it)! The mind must be renewed daily through meditation in the Word. Meditate in His law day and night. Outward transformation starts inwardly—in the mind. Wearing the spiritual “helmet of salvation” protects our mind from the enemy’s scheme to make us doubt our position in the Kingdom of God. When we think pure thoughts, apply the scriptures in daily living, and exercise self control in our conversation and conduct, we aren’t easily deceived. Moreover, we are not be impressed by eloquent speech or enticed by philosophical thoughts, ideas and concepts that oppose the principles and standards of God. Deception is still the enemy’s tactic to devour.
Be vigilant- Being vigilant is a spiritual application that can only be applied through the power of prayer (watch and pray). To be vigilant means being cautious, watchful and alert. Although we use our natural eyes to be watchful and alert of our visible surroundings, it requires more to be alert of unforeseen dangers. The Holy Spirit will be our spiritual eye to show us things to come, and our spiritual ear to warn us of snares the enemy has set. Being vigilant requires being sensitive to the Holy Spirit. And our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is developed through a consistent prayer life—praying in the Spirit, and allowing the Spirit to direct and control us (Romans 8:9). It is impossible to be vigilant without fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth, and He will announce and declare to us the things that are to come (John 16:13). Without a consistent prayer life (praying in Spirit) we are unable to distinguish the voice of truth from the voice of deception.
Withstand him – Withstanding the devil requires natural and spiritual application. Moreover, it requires the cooperative efforts of all involved.
Think about this. During those drinking binges we were very unstable. We couldn’t walk a straight line. Usually, there was always someone to help us, even catch us when we stumbled. Our friends wouldn’t let us drive drunk. Someone always offered to assist so we wouldn’t harm ourselves or someone else. Now apply this natural concept to our need for the Holy Spirit to help us to withstand the enemy. We must withstand the enemy together. Division opens the door to Satanic attack. Jesus said, if a kingdom or a house is divided, it cannot stand (Mark 3:24-25). Together we can withstand the enemy. That means we must pray for all—that they are not deceived or devoured by the enemy.
Additionally, withstanding the devil means resisting the temptation to place ourselves in a physical position that can result in dangerous consequences. If it means saying, “No” then so be it. Withstanding the devil means using spiritual application means allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to operate in our life. This power is activated through the Word of God, prayer and surrounding ourselves with like-minded people. People who are determined to live lifestyles consistent with God’s standard. People who will help each other overcome the weakness of the flesh, and will hold the other up having no hidden motives—only to see the manifestation of God's glory.
Be firm in faith- In order to be firm in faith we must know what it is we believe; why we believe it, and more important, be able to defend what we believe. Our faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, and the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us enables us to stand firm.
Unfortunately, but inexcusably, many believers are not in position to defend their faith. It’s mainly because they don’t really know what they believe. Many attend church services out of religious tradition; and never commit to a life-changing relationship with Christ to become the spiritual church; therefore being of part of the universal church is not viewed as being critical to their survival in these last days.
Truth is, we cannot stand firm on anything with "shaky" faith. In order to be firm in faith we must know the Author and Finisher of our faith. Faith increases through personal experience with Jesus Christ. We can only stand firm on what we know, not on what someone told us, or what we heard. To be firm in faith requires being rooted, grounded, established, strong, immovable and determined in what we believe. Being firm in faith protects us from the lies of the devil, as well as his perversion of the Truth. The Word of God is our weapon against the devil (Luke 4: 1-13, Ephesians 6:17). This is why it’s crucial to study the Word of God. If we don’t know the Word for ourselves, we are easy to be devoured.
The troublesome times ahead, and the persistent attacks of the enemy on the Church of Jesus Christ are definite reasons to follow the same instructions given by Apostle Peter to the believers under attack during his time. The enemy can only devour those who are not spiritually well balanced and vigilant. Remember you can withstand him by interceding for one another, encouraging each other, being unified in Kingdom building, and standing firm in faith, praying, “thy Kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Our greatest example in all things is Jesus the Christ. Throughout the gospels we see that He was well balanced (stayed focused). He never lost sight of His mission and His purpose (Luke 4:43). He was vigilant. He was in constant communication with the Father (praying). As believers, we are instructed to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). Also Jesus said, “watch and pray,” Luke 21:36, Mark 14:38). He withstood the temptation of the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). He overcame the weakness of the flesh through fervent prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is also where He stood firm in faith. Here we see a demonstration of Jesus' standing firm in faith. He showed us to stand firm in faith even if it means giving up your life you can say, “not my will, but Yours be done. Standing firm in your faith obligates God to respond to your situation. (“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Precious Ones, know that whatever the plans and schemes of the enemy they will not prevail against Church of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). We must not be distracted or intimidated by the hostile environment that mocks Christianity, by trying to discredit the deity of Jesus Christ. It is your personal relationship and experiences with Him that enable you to stand firm in faith and declare that Jesus is Lord; He is the Christ; He is the Messiah—Savior of the world.
When we stand firm and having done all to stand, God will do the rest. The enemy cannot devour us! He is forbidden by God. I stand firm on the Word—
So I say to you, STAY FOCUSED, STAND FIRM, and we will see the salvation of the Lord..
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Copyright © 2006 Queen E. F. Phillips. Majestic Publishing – Publishing the Good News of the King and His Kingdom™ All rights reserved. NOT-FOR-PROFIT use only requires prior written permission from the author. Credit must be given to copyright owner.