Take Your Stand

Take your Stand
One of the lessons we have taught consistently in the past months has been that of the need for personal responsibility in the life of a believer. There are just some actions and decisions you need to take responsibility for as a believer. We will examine first of all the authority that the believer in Christ Jesus has, which is simply delegated influence owing to the finished work of Christ on the cross. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in
Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6-7). The Bible
makes it clear that we have been raised up with Christ and seated in the heavenly realms with Christ Jesus even though our physical location is here on the earth. That makes it obvious that we are people of power, authority and influence. A closer look at the Scriptures reveals to us that we are far above every rule, authority, power, dominion and title (in this age and in the coming one) simply because of the fact that that is where Jesus is and we are his body (Eph. 1:18-23). In spite of all these, the work of the devil is clear and has been cut out for him since time immemorial and that is to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10). The devil still goes about his work of prowling around looking for easy prey. The keys of the kingdom of heaven, which are symbolic of authority in Christ Jesus, have been given unto us but we must use them if we are to advance the cause of Gods kingdom here on the earth. That is why it says, whatever you
bind on the earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on the earth
shall be loosed in heaven (emphasis mine) (Matthew 16:19). Using the keys of the
kingdom of heaven we now have, heaven will only respond to whatever actions we take here on the earth. In other words, if we do not move, speak or take action as believers then heaven will not. Heaven only responds when believers make a demand so when believers do nothing heaven seems to do absolutely nothing too. We are shown another angle to the position of authority we occupy as Jesus soundly defeated the enemy by disarming all powers and authorities and subjecting them to public ridicule and shame (Col. 2:15). We already have the authority to trample upon snakes and scorpions and to overcome the power of the enemy, this means we have what it takes to overcome demons, witches, wizards, sorcerers,
agents of evil, forces of darkness etc. (Luke 10:18-20)
That we have the authority in Christ Jesus does not mean that the devil will become idle and rest from his work, that is why we must take our stand as believers (Eph. 6:11-13). It therefore becomes pertinent to answer the question as to how we can take our stand as believers since we have the authority in Christ Jesus and we know the devil will stop at nothing to extend his reach. How do you take your stand? Resist the devil and he will flee Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. (James 4:7). The first step in being able to take your stand against the devil is to submit yourself to him by allowing him to always have the final say, to lead and to guide you in all that you do. If you always insist on having your way then you are not submitting yourself to him as you should, remember he must lead and you must follow (Romans 8:14). If the devil has nothing that belongs to him in your life then you can resist him with all boldness and have him run from you.
Resist the devil standing firm in the faith According to 1 Peter 5:8-9, Be self-
controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. As a believer,
you have to be exercise self-control (1 Cor. 9:27) and be alert to matters of the spirit at all times. By standing firm in the faith through the word (Genesis 15:4-6, Romans 10:17), the confession (2 Corinthians 4:13, Job 22:28-29), the seed (Genesis 26:2-3, 12-13; James 2:17-24) and the warfare (1 Timothy 1:18-19, James 4:7) you will be able to resist the devil and live victoriously at all times. Remember victorious Christian living is the inalienable right of every true believer in Christ Jesus so rise up and take your stand in Gods army. The time has come!
Authors note: This message was first preached at the Parish Youth Chapel, Church of the Pentecost (Anglican Communion), 21 Road, Festac Town, Lagos on Sunday, 30th December 2012 at both 7am and 10am, in my capacity as Coordinator, Parish Youth (2011/2012). All Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV).

Take Your Stand

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Take Your Stand

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Take Your Stand

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Take your Stand

agents of evil, forces of darkness etc. (Luke 10:18-20)

You might also like