(6.) Soldier, Priest – Stand Firm
(6.) Soldier, Priest – Stand Firm.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For this struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – War (Live) – YouTube
Wait a minute! You mean you haven’t witnessed a true “weapon song” from the front lines? Please, give this video above a little of your time. This song will help us to dance on the devil’s back! One gets the sense this is the duty of the priesthood. Sometimes praise, worship and dance is our greatest weapon. Thanks.
Stand Firm. The three Greek words that are all translated “stand firm” all mean pretty much the same thing: to be immoveable; to stand against someone or something; to fix oneself firmly; to set one’s face resolutely in a certain direction; to hold one’s ground with determination; to maintain one’s position; to withstand compromise; to refuse to change; to be steadfast in one’s resistance; to hold fast without giving in; to be strong and steady in what is important.
When a soldier stands firmly, s/he refuses to change his position or retreat. When a priest stands firm, s/he cannot be moved from his/her duties as a servant of the Lord. In both cases, to be cowardly instead of courageous is out of the question. If the Lord wants me here, I will stay here! Parents who have strong-willed children should count themselves fortunate. The Lord God is on the lookout for those determined souls who have a holy stubbornness and a strong will that can be molded for good. Without a righteous resistance to evil, how else can one stay pure or faithful to God? How else can someone stay strong against temptation and respond with a firm ‘’NO!” Only those who are resolute of mind while also submissive to God will be able to stand one’s ground against that which is wrong or harmful or disobedient. If one is passive and weak-willed, it is important to strengthen that will before it’s too late. We are told to resist the devil, to not compromise one’s conscience, to not yield to temptation. Standing firm in the Lord means saying “No” to sexual temptation, to moral compromise, to deceit and dishonesty, to a spirit of unforgiveness. Standing firm means bravely declaring “Yes” to God and “No” to our Adversary the devil in the spiritual realm. It takes a strong will to plant one’s feet in the ground and remain immoveable, and that strength can only come from the Almighty God.
The reader of Scripture is told to stand firm well over twenty times. Here are ten passages that encourage us to stand our ground against evil and the evil one:
(1.) “Be self-controlled and alert. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:9).
(2.) “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, stand firm. Let nothing move you.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
(3.) “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then I will know that you stand firm in one spirit without being frightened of opposition, contending for the faith.” (Philippians 1:27).
(4.) “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold tightly to the teachings we passed on to you.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
(5.) “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1).
(6.) “In all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8).
(7.) “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
(8.) “We eagerly await our Savior from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. That is how you should stand firm in the Word, dear friends.” (Philippians 4:1).
(9.) “Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (James 5:8).
(10.) “The people who know their God will stand firm in Him.” (Daniel 11:32).
Here’s Johnny Cash singing all about standing firm. Hope you enjoy it.