RESIST!

by Elizabeth Stewart

I was listening to the news the other day when I heard yet another prediction of impending gloom, doom and despair. I thought about how surrounded we are by words and thoughts that fuel our fear, worry and anxiety. God's Word says in 2 Timothy 1:7,"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." The enemy wants to intimidate, manipulate and control us through fear.  In contrast, God enables us to be courageous, powerful, loving, calm, well balanced, disciplined and self controlled even in the midst of our chaotic world.

The enemy's weapon-FEAR, WORRY, ANXIETY
The weapon of God's Word-
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. Isaiah 41:10 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Philippians 4:6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Another thing that I noticed is that we are surrounded by words and thoughts that feed a victim mentality, that fuel feelings of hopelessness and despair. We are told that we can never get ahead, never overcome, that our race, or our gender, or that awful thing that happened to us in our past will forever be a millstone around our neck keeping us from wholeness and healing, happiness and success. This too, becomes a weapon that the enemy uses to keep us down, to keep us a cowering, whimpering victim instead of a strong, determined overcomer.

The enemy's weapon-VICTIM MENTALITY, HOPELESSNESS, DESPAIR
The weapon of God's Word-

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Phillippians 4:13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Lastly, I noticed that the we are surrounded by words that fuel division and strife. Black versus white, democrat versus republican, men versus women. The enemy knows that a house divided against itself cannot stand. I think he's standing back in glee watching us bite and devour one another. These things ought not to be! We might not be able to control the disunity that abounds in our society as a whole, but we can refuse to let it get a foothold in our own hearts, in our own homes, in our own churches.

The enemy's weapon-DIVISION, STRIFE, UNFORGIVENESS, OFFENSE, BITTERNESS
The weapon of God's Word-

 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar andskirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly]. Psalm 133:1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel. Proverbs 20:3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. Colossians 3:13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. 1 Peter 4:8 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

God's Word admonishes us to not let satan get an advantage over us by being ignorant of his wiles and intentions. The good news is that God has given us every spiritual weapon we need to overthrow and destroy every one of the weapons the enemy uses against us. We don't have to just stand there and take whatever satan throws at us. God has strengthened and reinforced us within with His own Holy Spirit! "May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]." Ephesians 3:16 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition I think it's time for us to form our own resist movement! "So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." James 4:7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition  Don't be overwhelmed by fear, worry and anxiety! Don't remain a victim, full of  hopelessness and despair! Don't be consumed by division, strife, unforgiveness, offenses and bitterness! RESIST! God's weapons combined with your willingness to stand up and resist the enemy and all of his lies, tricks and schemes is a winning combination!

still following,