Shavei Tzyon | Return to Zion Congregation
Haifa, Israel
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)
These verses are very popular. When I was a new believer, I often heard statements like, “Devil, you’ve been thrown down; we triumph over you!” However, the Scriptures don’t encourage us to “pick a fight” with the devil. He acts based on the Creator’s permission to test us, and sometimes attacks us when we brazenly disobey God and open ourselves for temptation, being deceived by our own sins (James 1:13-14). Without the armor of God we cannot stand against the devil. The Lord’s mercy and Yeshua’s finished work empower us with protection against the enemy’s schemes. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
James 4:7 speaks of the authoritative resistance to external demonic/satanic attacks and opposition to the “lusts” inside us: “…stand against the adversary, and he will flee from you.” The power of the Name of Yeshua guarantees this and allows us to stand in His freedom and victory.
When we stand in Yeshua we understand what the Lord has done for us; when we witness about Him to non-believers; when we confront evil thoughts and attacks of this world or of the evil spirits on our mind; when we rely on the truth of God’s Word and live all these things out in our life; then, the Lord allows us to “occupy this position;” and then, we show a good, pure and righteous way of life – praising the Creator and abounding in the fruit of Messiah’s works.
We may look strange to others when we shout about our spiritual victories and authority, especially since such declarations are sometimes groundless. Therefore, our true and correct position, our calling and our inheritance is neither shouting nor stamping feet (though, it can be quite acceptable if the Holy Spirit leads us in this way), but rather a strong position of trust in God’s righteousness, given to us through the Messiah’s absolute sacrifice. It is our victory and demonstration of the fruit of Yeshua’s work as it is written in the Book of Isaiah 53:11: “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.”
May God help us all!
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