God Promises to Give you Strength to Withstand Evil

Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:16-29

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 firm—Ephesians 6:13

Make no mistake about it, the evil day, the activity of the devil in your life is more than misplacing the car or house keys, more than your phone cutting off in the middle of a conversation with family or friends, even if you are enjoying an uplifting conversation. More than the cancelling of an important appointment, greater than your device shutting down in the middle of working on something and trying to meet a deadline, greater than being shut out of a meeting you really need to be part of. Yes, it can possibly be all these things, but it’s also much more. Evil will come with full, frontal attacks that seek to bring serious destruction; to do collateral damage to your life, relationships, person, health, and finances, shelter, security. Evil comes to destroy your relationships with others, to tear apart your marriage. Evil comes to attack your body and bring you to your knees, lay you flat on your back, take you out of the race. Evil comes to steal everything you own and cause your children to reject your authority and parental covering. Evil comes to chain you and place strongholds over your person and life. Evil comes to ravage your life in any way it can shooting one fiery dart after another until you are broken and crumpled. Evil does not play around. The fiery darts of Satan are not easily extinguished or dismissed by ignorance or denial. They are worse than a heat-seeking missile set into motion.

Satan will place devils and imps in your life and environment. Their job is to become a nuisance to let you know he is always around, lurking, and seeking those whom he may devour; he is looking for the weak and spiritually uncovered. Satan will do just enough to frustrate you in your activities, day, and life, but all these are small potatoes for him. He wants what Jesus warned about; to steal, kill, and destroy and not for one day does he lose his focus or take his eyes off the prize and goal: your soul.   

Paul’s sermon concerning the armor of God is a mighty lesson for every believer to grasp. The Christian does not choose the battle, nor invent the battle, he or she is born into the battle. Before the waters poured or immersed at baptism have dried the Christian is thrust into the battle between dark and light, the forces of evil have been put on notice and they are eager to clutch the throat and choke off all life, hope, peace, confidence, and faith out of the believer.

There is a verse in Martin Luther’s famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress” which says, Though they should take my house, goods, honor, child and spouse, though life be wrenched away, they will not win the day. One little word subdues him.” Jesus is Word. He is the armor that will protect you. He is the power and presence that will help you withstand any work and activity of the evil one. Through Christ you have the power and strength not only to persevere under those daily, annoying imps, but to withstand the day of evil, to withstand every attack, to stand strong in the face of evil and come out perfected, stronger, and victorious in battle. Learn to pray this powerful promise over your life and the lives of others. Remember it, speak it aloud when the enemy starts to come at you with frontal attacks, and even when he is sneaky behind the scenes. Let’s Pray,

Jesus, you are the armor, the power, the covering, the victor we need in spiritual battle; exactly what and who we need to withstand the day of evil. Give us strength O Lord, to be steadfast, immoveable and firm of faith, trusting in you and standing behind you, may we put on the full armor so that when the day of evil comes we are ready. In your holy and precious name we pray, Amen.