Stand against the wiles of the devil
10 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 – Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 – Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 – Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 – Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 to 17)
Any mission that leaves hundred percent responsibility on God is an irresponsible mission. We as believers should understand that as we journey to become like Jesus in our reasoning and taking action, we should realise that we have a role for everyone to play if one desires to turn out better. It was a huge sacrifice for God to give out His only begotten son to face the penalty of death that man brought upon himself by going the path of disobedience to accept the deception of the devil which was contrary to God’s Will and plan towards man.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1Corianthians chapter 16 verses 13)
With all that Jesus was able to accomplish on the cross and His resurrection, and gave us the gift of the Name of Jesus that at the mention of the Name of Jesus, every knee must bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. It will do everyone so must good if everyone will come to the full authority and benefit that accompany the Name of Jesus. There is no comparison with the Name of Jesus to anyother name.
9 – “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 – That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 – And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians chapter 2 verses 9 to 11)
There is a part of responsibility for man after all that Jesus has accomplished for humanity and his race. Jesus at His resurrection restored back the lost dominion to man. If man fails to enforce the authority given to him, nothing significant will happen. It is never enough that Jesus went all the way to redeem man and man fails to exercise his authority over the works of the devil. Whatever it will takes for a believer to stand strong against the wiles of the devil have been made available. It is on man’s part to take advantage of such to enforce it.
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” (Jude chapter 1 verses 24)
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians chapter 6 verses 13)
Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Church in Ephesus exhorted the Christian believers there and us today by extension in verse thirteen of the Sixth Chapter: “having done all, TO STAND.” What Paul is simply saying here is that we have to put on the Armour of God, stand and use it, and continue to use it in order to keep on standing. It is in our power and it is our responsibility as believers to put on whatever it will take us to keep subduing every works of the devil. If we fail go act at such aspect, God will be handicap to move and flow His glory through us.
However, Paul implies the stark reality of the temptation to get into a relaxed mode. Having won and secured the victory for which we may have prayed, fasted, and stood in Faith, there is a subtle tendency to let our guards down, relax, and then succumb to the assaults of satan. Please understand that many times, the devil attacks after the Victory due to our complacency and lack of vigilance.
“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!” (Amos chapter 6 verses 1)
We must never fall into the trap of getting overconfident or complacent. Let it constantly occur to us that we are in a battle field, and we cannot afford to quit now after all that Jesus accomplished for us and the gift of His Name. There is need to be careful with all that we do.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1Corianthians chapter 10 verses 12)
When you have done all according to the Word of God and it seems as though nothing is happening, then you must still stand. This means we must of necessity maintain the endurance required to endure. Stand firm, hold your ground, and guard your territory against the enemy by submitting to God and then by knocking the devil out in the Name of Jesus.
Conclusion:
“9 – And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 – Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” ()2Corinthians chapter 12 verses 9 to 10)
The power to withstand, subdue and conquer all the wiles of the devil have been made available for every believer. It is then every believer’s responsibility to implement all that Jesus accomplished for mankind.
