Spiritual Battles

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/16/22

There is an unfounded idea in some circles that, when we come to Christ, our lives will be fine—that all the worries and problems that plagued us before we accepted Christ will disappear once we commit our lives to Him. That is far from the Truth. Rather, just as a blacksmith uses fire to shape iron, God uses difficulties in our lives to strengthen our faith. These difficulties can even lead to revival in our hearts and the hearts of those around us as we live out our faith, trusting God in the midst of life’s challenges.

We must be aware that when God’s revival begins, opposition will follow. A spiritual battle is triggered, and the enemy mounts a siege on our hearts.

In order to see revival occur in our lives and the lives of others, we must be prepared to stand steadfast in our faith and live uncompromising lives in the face of opposition. Praise God that it is His strength that makes us able to stand. As we surrender to Him, He enables us to be obedient to His call. This submission to God and righteous obedience are a powerful proclamation of the Gospel.

The apostle Paul constantly fought opposition. How did he achieve victory in the face of trials? He made a decision that nothing the enemy did would keep him from doing God’s will. He trusted God, clinging to his Lord and Savior and the promise of eternal life in His presence. This gave him the strength to pursue God’s will despite imprisonment, ridicule, torture, beatings, and mockery. Paul endured all this to see God’s Word revive and penetrate the hearts of both Jews and Gentiles and lead them to His saving grace.

May we face trials and spiritual battles with the same strength and determination, firmly planted on the foundation that will never fail: Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, strengthen me through Your Holy Spirit to withstand any opposition I may face. Give me courage when I am tempted to take the easy way out. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[T]he God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).