STAND!

I keep hearing the word ‘STAND!’ Three times in Ephesians 6 Paul exhorts the believers to “STAND“. When the enemy attacks, when the battle is raging around you, when all hell breaks loose against you - don’t run away, don’t fall down, don’t shrink back - STAND!

STAND firm, STAND strong, be unmoved, unshakable, unwavering, uncompromising. Plant your feet, fix your focus, hold your nerve, steady your heart. Know that the battle has already been won, Jesus has completely conquered all that’s coming against you, it’s under His feet, you are on the winning side. You fight from victory not for victory.  So STAND! Stop being intimidated by those who shout the loudest; don’t be influenced by those who seem to have the most power; don’t be silenced by the lies, threats, accusations and attacks of the enemy. STAND!  The Lord is on your side, He is a warrior, He fights for you, so take courage, be strong, STAND firm!

 

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 Ephesians 6:10-17

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

James 5:8 “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.”

Exodus 15:3 “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.”