Author: Pastor Andrew Farland
Let’s get serious today. Christianity is not a cruise ship. We’re in the middle of a spiritual war in which the enemy is looking to kill, steal and destroy. The Bible says that the devil is like a crouching lion waiting around every corner to attack its unsuspecting victim. We need to go into every day ready to fight off the enemy, and we can do it by not giving Him a foothold.
The places where the evil one strikes are fears, anxieties, insecurities, and self-condemnation. God tells us that our fears are legitimate, our worries originate in truth, and we should be condemned for our mistakes and faults. If he can make us believe these lies, he can slowly separate us from God.
We cannot give the enemy a foothold. You and I must contend. We must take on the fight!
The Bible says that there is no condemnation in Jesus. It’s never God’s will to feel fear or anxiety or to destroy His kids. So, I have to believe that God wants us to do everything in our power, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to contend with the enemy.
In the Old Testament, there is a story about a man named Joshua who fought against the people of a town called Jericho. With God’s help, he and his army secured a victory and moved closer to the land God had promised His people. Joshua’s victory wasn’t the kind you typically read about. You can go and read about Joshua chapter 6, but in the meantime, here’s the gist of the story: He and his army marched around the walls of Jericho seven times, blew some trumpets, and watched as the walls fell on the enemy.
This is what I do when I wake up in the morning. I pace in my room and make declarations about the day. I want you to do the same thing!
God is calling us to fight an unconventional war against the devil. He is calling us to march in circles: around the enemy until the walls cave in on him.
Make bold declarations out loud against evil. Spend time thanking God for the good in your life, reminding yourself that there is no condemnation in Jesus. Worship. When you connect with God, it crumbles the enemy. Find a church where you can plug in and worship God. Listen to worship music during your commute or while you work each day.
Figure out your way to contend against the enemy. If you don’t, he will take root inside of you and take you off course.
“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Be encouraged today because God is with you.
