THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD
God's purpose, promise, and plan is that you can still be standing in the end.
Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 1:2 How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save?”
Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.”
The Spirit and The Word of God.
The Holy Spirit of God connected with the Word of God is the power in our lives that gives us dual ability to hold on no matter what's happening in our lives.
This last piece of the armor of God is the offensive weapon, the Sword of the Spirit.
Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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.”
Understand the truth that the Word of God and the armor of God are designed to enable us to to stand in the middle of anything.
Ephesians 6:14-18 “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
I'm going to be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
God has a plan for you and the enemy has a plan for you.
The enemy also has a plan and purpose for your life and his plan and purpose is to destroy God's plan and purpose for your life.
The devil is your enemy and he's got a scheme for you and it's to take you out.
The number one scheme is Pride.
1 Corinthians 10:11–12 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
The second scheme of the devil is fear.
Psalm 18:28–30 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:31–39 “For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 36 You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.
The scheme of the devil is fear but the promise of God is Victory.
The third scheme is bitterness.
Spirit and Word hard against Temptation in the battle, soft in heart toward God.
Habakkuk 3:17–19 “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
The last scheme is called religion.
Religion is just the enemy telling you to try in your own strength to please God and to earn his favor.
There's a cross in your story and that cross tells you that Jesus Christ came so that he could raise us up out of death and give us the gift of forgiveness and righteousness and Holiness in him.
God’s got a plan for you and it is to scale the highest places and to stand no matter what.
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