“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 KJV
Definition of WITHSTAND:
"To oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral force; as, to withstand the attack of troops; to withstand eloquence or arguments"
Our battle is in our mind!
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12 KJV
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
"Having done all to stand"
What does that mean? "Done all"?
". . . to the obedience of Christ"
Obey! (Such a dirty word today.)
What are we "to do"?
- believe, repent, submit, surrender, forgive.
What are we not "to do"?
- judge, covet, steal, lie, commit adultery or murder, fear, worry
What many in the church call legalism, because they are listed in the law. They argue we are no longer under the law.; we now have the Royal Law given by Christ!
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV
When we "love" (as described above) we fulfill all of the law!
However, for the most part we get it backwards. We love ourselves more than God or our neighbors! We put our wants and desires before everyone else. We may not think so, but it's true and the evidence is in our fruit (or the lack thereof)!
Take "unbelief" - everyone says they believe, however fear and worry are evidence of unbelief. They both show that we do not trust God; that we think He is incapable of taking care of our loved ones or circumstances, so we hold on and try and control the situation.
Unbelief is sin of which we must repent! If we don't or refuse to, (for whatever reason) then we have not "done all"; so "standing" is futile; an illusion.
The devil is always on the attack and unrepented sin in our lives, gives him the authority to torment us. (Matthew 18:34)
Quoting scripture (to stand) without obedience to The Word, is akin to witchcraft; an incantation. When you refuse to obey you are rebellious.
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
1 Samuel 15:23a KJV
The Word of God has power, but only through obedience. There is power in The Word; Jesus is The Word! He has the power. If we want victory in this war we must obey Him!
Father, I thank You for Your mercy and grace. I ask Your forgiveness for all of the times I, in ignorance "stood" without obedience to Your Word. I repent of listening to the lies of the enemy and believing I could achieve my desire or gain a goal without compliance to Your Commandments; by quoting a scripture. I repent of my rebellion. Father I humbly lay down my will. I choose to walk in repentance; I choose to walk in forgiveness; I choose to walk in love. I submit and surrender to You and Your ways. Again, thank You for Your mercy!
Even so - MARANATHA!
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