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THE FIGHT OF FAITH

October 27, 2023

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12


1. OUR FIGHT IS NOT WITH PEOPLE. Our fight, as Jesus followers, ultimately isn’t in geopolitical realms. It isn’t in our career or family realms or other areas we see with people. It’s not a human battle. Though we live an earthly life, we do not wage an earthly war. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

2. THE SPIRITUAL REALM IS REAL. Jesus dealt with demons repeatedly in his earthly ministry. One being said to Jesus, “My name is Legion; for we are many” (Mark 5:9). These accounts are not just allegory, superstition, or mythology. It is biblical history that happened with Jesus.

3. JESUS GIVES US AUTHORITY. Jesus told His disciples, “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name, they will cast out demons” (Mark 16:17). A few years back, my wife and I went to a local plaza in St. Louis. When we arrived, the security guard asked us not to talk to people about Jesus. But then the guard encountered a man writhing on the floor. He wasn’t having an epileptic seizure; it wasn’t that he had taken too many meds – it was demonic. The security guard came and got us when he realized it was spiritual and out of his realm and that we might have something that was needed. Sure enough, God did do something great and set that person free.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17

4. USE THE WORD OF GOD. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only weaponry in our arsenal that is an offensive weapon. A sword is used to advance. All the others – the shield, the breastplate, the helmet – are defensive elements designed to protect. Thank God we have a good defense. But thank God we have the Word to advance. We speak the Word. We command the enemy to move. Paul told Timothy to use the prophecies – the words spoken over him – to “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 1:18). Take what God has spoken to you and use those truths to fight against discouragement. Go back to the Word of God and the occasions when God gave you a directive and use them to fight the good fight of faith. Whatever you’re facing, find it in the Word. Find the promises of God. Take your stand, and having done everything to stand, stand firm and fight the good fight of faith.

God bless you,
Pastor Jeff Perry

Declaration Of God’s Authority Over Your Life:
I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and I stand firm – strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. I resist the devil, and he must flee (James 4:7). In Jesus’ name, I command the devil to get off my family, off my marriage, and off my children. I rebuke the deceiver. Since God is not the God of confusion, I come against confusion over my life, over my work, over my moment, over my nation and the nations. Amen!

firm, adj.
Resistant to externally applied pressure.
Securely fixed in place.
Indicating or possessed of determination or resolution.
Constant; steadfast.

Copyright © 2023 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. “Firm.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Harper Collins Publishers, https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=firm&submit.x=0&submit.y=0 Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.