As I explained in Part 1 yesterday, Identifying the Lie of You Life, we each have a repeated and specific lie that the devil loves to spout. He whispers this truth so we whisper to our heart that we really can’t make it in this thing called faith.
His goals are to:
Steal: To run away with our dreams, hopes and passion to immobilize us as unable orphan children.
Kill: To ruin us through the power of sin’s ability to drive us to death.
Destroy: To destroy our faith, through doubt. To destroy our family through unchecked lies that lead to unchecked emotions. To destroy our intimacy with God through circumstances.
But, God doesn’t leave us like abandoned children, without strategy, security or certainty. He gives us a direct and clear action plan for how to approach the one who wants to approach us like a devouring lion.
Why?
Because God’s light makes darkness flee.
His ways are the opposite of steal, kill and destroy: the way, the truth and the life.
A deceiver can’t deceive a person wrapped up in complete truth.
The murderer can’t stand to be around the one who offers new life.
Fakes are obvious when God’s Word magnifies their flaws.
The opposer knows who will one day truly oppose him – and win.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Ja. 4:7
5 Ways to Submit to God and Resist the Devil
1. Be truthful, vulnerable and open. Those who are real before God allow a real God, not a fake duper, to run to their rescue.
Liars want to get up and flee with truth takes the stand.
Let your truth take stand before God and he will take stand for you.
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thes. 3:3
2. Get holy accountability. When the power of people link hands, the devil can’t as easily push through. A reinforced fort girded up with the powerful bricks of encouragement, truth and prayer isn’t easily toppled.
What has been fortified, usually remains purified.
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Heb. 10:25
3. Use your Sword. When you sword up with the power of the Spirit, you have the ability to slay approaching evil at its onslaught.
God’s Word cuts lies faster than a surgeon can cut malignant cancer.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb. 4:12
4. Draw a line in the sand. Do you believe that your Savior King is for you or against you? Do you believe he is working for your good or for your demise?
When we take a stand, the confuser often cannot.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Ro. 10:9
5. Know your power. The blood of the lamb covers us today in the same way it did yesterday. It saves us from slaughter. It protects us from eternal defeat. That, coupled with our testimony, is an unbeatable force that forces the powers of hell where they belong.
When you are covered by the blood of the lamb, you are covered with an eternal guarantee of invincibility.
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Rev. 12:11
We have the power of Jesus Christ behind us. We have the authority of his name handed to us.
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Lu. 10:19
With authority, comes responsibility. We cannot lay down like passive babies waiting for our Father to come feed us our daily bread, sometimes, we have to get up to start screaming God’s goodness all over ourselves.
We must dress for success by putting on the armor of God:
- a belt that keeps a queasy stomach firm in truth
- a breastplate that so puffed up in righteousness that enemies flee
- shoes that step out, step in and step up to bring the gospel of peace.
- a shield of faith that makes flaming arrows of the evil one impenetrable.
- a helmet that keeps a mind steady with the truth, “Once saved, always saved.”
- a sword of the Spirit that cuts out flesh, lies and fear to usher in all truth.
We will be striked, but like Jesus, nothing will strike us away from God. We must though, stand up, wearing the outfit that fits us for earthly attacks.
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What a powerful list, Kelly. I love the “line in the sand” advice. When we just remember that God is on our side and for us – that’s half the battle. On another note… I’m amazed at how much you do… periscope, twitter, Facebook, link-up,… AND write great posts SO often. My hat’s off to you, girl. God is using you in so many ways. Thanks again for sharing these encouraging words. 🙂
Thank you Karen. You encourage my soul. I just want big love to flow into this big world. I feel like what I give isn’t much, but I know God can multiply all things! Thank you SO greatly for your encouragement; it means a lot.
Thank you friend, beautiful and uplifting.
Have been reading your encouraging posts but I have got a house full of kids on holiday for over a week now!
Some how I managed to slip in this comment today.
God Bless Kelly
Oh my Ifeoma, I am so glad you wrote me here. I have been wondering where you have been? I have missed you. Much love and so glad to see your face.
I love the image of the armor of God. I love that the word of God along with prayer is our weapon! When we are abiding in Christ and allowing His word to abide in us, it’s a lot more difficult for lies to get a hold of us. Thanks for sharing such a great post! You have given us a great list!
Me too. I love that God is so wise to give us visual protection from all hitting us. Let’s stay protected.
Kelly, this is post is so relevant and needed that I printed it out so I could tape it to my wall! These are the tools that we need to pick up every day! Thank you for making it so easy to grab onto–concise and accessible.
I am so glad it spoke to you Janette. I pray we can put on that armor and keep the faith when all the arrows come against us. Greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world!
So often I forget, or don’t take seriously the power God has given us. I also appreciate the “draw a line in the sand” reminder. Great post. I’ve shared it on my FB page. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing Ginger! Let’s draw a line!
Yes! Wielding the Sword and fighting the good fight of faith. We definitely need to dress for success, love that! Encouraging post Kelly.
Thanks Doris. I am dressed for success today, I hope you are too!
This reminder could not have come at a better time. With the recent loss of my mother and dealing with unsaved family members Satan is under attack. I let my guard down and tried dealing in my own strength and fired back. Thank you for showing me I don’t need to defend myself with His armor in No weapon formed against me shall stand! I’ve humbled myself apologized and I’m going to watch God work on my behalf.
I praise God for his timing Karen. Rise up and rise strong with the armor of God.
Kelly,
I really needed this today…I am majorly under attack by the enemy who wishes to frustrate me, make me feel stupid and worthless, undermine my value. I need to listen to what God says about me…not the enemy. Thanks.
Blessings,
Bev
Praise God. May you, sweet Bev, find refuge under the wing of your Father. He has you. He loves you. I know the fear, but God is love (as you well know). Rest dear friend.
Kelly, it’s so comforting to know that God is on our side and fights for us, but I also love that He equips US for battle as well. And to think that the words of our testimony … those very words we speak and write and share … are part of that equipping! I pray for God’s protection in your life as you continue to share these powerful truths!
God is, time after time, day after day, fighting, pleading and groaning on our behalf. I praise him with you! Thank you for your encouragement. It means the world.
dress for success – so easy to leave off a piece or two – great encouragement, Kelly. You have so much energy!!!!
Yes, let’s not forget one garment. He has us.
This is a message that is fully on my heart right now my friend. I have spent since June studying the armor of God and learning how to put it on. We are actually doing The Armor of God in our small groups at church. I am so encouraged by you today. I love how He uses each other to encourage us and give us strength to keep standing firm. We are in this together girlfriend! I love you!