Hey friend,
We’ve covered a lot of ground over the past four weeks as we’ve learned about our authority in Christ, praying Scripture, binding and loosing, and standing together in agreement with other believers. I’m thrilled to have you here for week 5! Today, we’re discussing standing against the enemy. This one is probably going to feel personal because the enemy works hard to shake each one of us; whispering lies, distracting us, and trying to break us down to pull us away from Christ’s truth.
We know from John 10:10 that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. He steals our peace by stirring up anxiety, fear, and confusion. He steals our identity by telling us lies that we’re not good enough, he tries to weigh us down with the comparison trap, busyness, filling our minds with worry, distraction, and lies that almost sound true. (Just to name a few.)
John 8:44 He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
He is very good at trying to hurt us with his words; in fact, that’s all he has since Jesus’ victory on the cross disarmed Satan. His only “weapon” is deception.
Let’s settle in and talk about how we can stand in our authority against this serpent! Grab something cozy to sip on. I’m behind on my water intake for the day, so I’ll be having ice water, but you go wild!
KNOW WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE
We can’t stand in authority if we don’t know who and who’s we are. The best way to do this is by reading scripture; it’s our daily bread. One thing I started struggling with was the fact that I’ve never read the bible cover to cover, and having these thoughts like it was holding me back from fully understanding who God is. I was encouraged today while watching a YouTuber. She mentioned that while it is wonderful to read the entire bible, that doesn’t make you any more or less holy to have read it in its entirety.
God wants us to have a relationship with Him, and the only way we can truly do that is through spending time with Him and reading His living word. I think it’s much better to read and understand what you are reading rather than to rush through it feeling pressured to stay on schedule. You have to read quite a bit each day on a 1-year plan, and it’s not sustainable for me right now. I like to take my time and really get into the word, read commentaries, and reflect on what I read so it seeps into my soul. So if you’re like me, do not let that be something that holds you back. Remember this is a personal relationship, your walk will look different than mine, and that’s how God wants it. The enemy wants us to compare and doubt, so let’s stop doing that right now!
Getting to know scripture is so powerful. Even as a baby in it, I find myself daily quoting scripture (not always completely right, but it’s the gist of it that’s important that I am pulling from) against the enemy. Yesterday, in fact, he was trying to get me to believe that I wasn’t good enough for a certain role that I considered for myself one day in leading and teaching in ministry.
I was at church watching another leader speak so extrovertedly and confidently during service, and I just thought, I could never do her job. I like being in the background and working more behind the scenes. Then I stopped and thought God put her in that role because she is exactly the type of person that was needed. He wouldn’t put me in a position where I have to change everything about me, he has something perfect planned for me, exactly who I am – HE made me this way! The enemy tried to put doubt in me but I remembered:
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship. created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God created each one of us for His good and exactly who we are for His purposes. He didn’t want us to be carbon copies of one another and try to emulate one another. We each have our own beautiful gifts and talents from Him, and He has already gone before each one of us to make our paths for his plan. If you have ever felt like I did that day, as if you weren’t enough for something, remember these truths: He has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. It was at that moment, while I was reciting these scriptures in my head, that it clicked, I’m getting it! Satan only receives power by manipulating us to believe lies, so if we know the truth and stand in authority of that truth, he has no power.
USE THE WORD OF GOD
In Matthew 4:1-11, when Satan was tempting Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan. If we want to know how to handle a situation, we only need to look to Jesus; there’s a scripture for everything we’re going through. Let’s take Jesus’ example in the wilderness and apply it to our own lives.
- Speak scripture out loud when you feel attacked or tempted.
- Get to know God’s truths.
- How do we do that? Get in the word! I have pages printed out with God’s truths that I keep in a binder by my “prayer chair,” and I started reading one a day a while back, but eventually that just slipped to the wayside. Reading actual scripture passages and praying with God is what has really helped me to imprint His word on my heart. I’ve asked him for revelation and to open my eyes to what His word means for me, and He does! It’s been subtle but also rich, I can’t really describe it. Comment below if you know what I’m talking about. 🙂
- Start paying attention to how the enemy is getting to you.
- What tactics is he using, what lies is he telling? Then find scripture based on those things. When the evil one is planting seeds, trying to get you to believe you are not good enough, focus on the scriptures I mentioned above. You don’t have to have the bible memorized. Google: scriptures about authority, peace, victory, or my identity, for example. Then write them down and meditate on them. Read them before bed, when you wake, put them around the house so you see them. Get to know them!
- Declare those truths over your situation daily.
Ephesians 6:17 lets us know that Scripture isn’t just ink on paper, it’s our weapon! Use it!
This is turning into a long one and needs to be a 2-parter. Tomorrow, we’ll continue this discussion and talk about what it means to submit to God, put on the full armor, and pray with authority. Let’s start living from victory and stop striving for it. Together, we can watch how it changes everything about how we stand firm against the enemy.
This message has turned into a long one, so we’ll make it a two-parter. Tomorrow, we’ll keep this conversation going and talk about what it means to truly submit to God, put on the full armor, and pray with authority. Let’s begin living from victory instead of striving for it, and together, we’ll see how that shift changes everything about how we stand firm against the enemy. See you tomorrow!
Lisa