Standing StrongSample

Stand in Resistance

The word resist we read in the Bible is translated from Greek, and means to stand against or to stand in opposition. Resistance is not passive but passionate. It is intensely aggressive. Your enemy is, too. His attacks are like that of a flaming arrow. An arrow headed for me is bad enough, but a flaming arrow? These thermal weapons unleash additional havoc to their intended target! And of course, a skilled bowman can be deadly accurate. How easy would it be to hit an unaware, defenseless target? Yikes!

God is asking us to wake up and stop being unnecessarily vulnerable to attack. In 1 Peter 5:8 NIV, God gives us a clear warning. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. And Ephesians 4:27 AMP implores us, Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].

It’s time to stand up, fiercely oppose the devil, and send him fleeing! When you rely on Christ’s power and resist him, he will bolt. I love the Greek word for “flee” which paints a picture of a terrified criminal “making a break for it” lest they be prosecuted! Ha! That’s awesome! Aren’t you tired of being whipped and wimpy? Let’s scare the enemy out of town!

The following are just a few examples from Scripture of what we should resist:

• Stand against being deceived.
• Resist divisiveness.
• Stand against greed.
• Resist defeat and despair.
• Stand against the temptations of worldliness, pride.
• Resist hypocrisy.
• Stand against unforgiveness and bitterness.

What do you need to add to this list? Write it down and commit to stand in resistance.

For further study: Read 2 Corinthians 10:5 and continue to add to your list of resistance.