Standing Firm with the Sword of the Spirit

Jan 16 – Jan 23

Living in Victory

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/20/21

When we forget that Satan’s powers are only temporary, we become timid in our spiritual battles. We fear stepping out in faith or sharing Christ with others, but we need to remember that Christ has secured the victory.

We must die continuously to self in order to live in victory. Scripture tells us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The more we submit ourselves to God, the easier it is to resist Satan.

Satan often tries to sneak in through the back door, so we must guard against our weaknesses constantly. How? We must prepare ourselves spiritually: “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” (Ephesians 6:13). This armor includes the belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes that give us readiness to deliver the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

In addition to this spiritual armor, another sure method to keep the enemy on the run is to praise God. But our praise can’t be for show—it needs to be genuine adoration of God with our minds, hearts, and words. Not only will our praise honor God and defeat the devil, but it will also uplift our spirits in the midst of battle. The psalmist declares, “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 144:1-2).

Prayer: Father, help me to always remember that You have secured the victory and I don’t need to be afraid. Thank You for being my fortress and my shield. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).