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Size Up Your Opponent - Weekly Devotional
This week's focus: Victory
We size up the opponent by first focusing on how powerful and mighty God is. We can be fearless when we understand that if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). Our confidence will also rise when we remember that Jesus has given us authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). We've been given authority for a reason and if we choose to remain silent and sit on the sidelines, then evil will continue to triumph. Proverbs 24:11-12 sounds like an urgent plea for us to step in and do something,
“Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.”
God equips us with supernatural weapons to fight with (see 2 Corinthians 10:4) and teaches us how to be victorious in battle by fighting His way:
Fight the enemy with scripture.
The Bible describes God’s word as the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). It’s the only offensive weapon included in our spiritual armor. It’s so important that we read our Bible and know what it says in order to be victorious over Satan’s lies and deception. Jesus said, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Fight the enemy with praise.
Praise is warfare! The enemy can’t stand to hear us praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Praise and thanksgiving are weapons the enemy will run from. When we submit to God and resist the devil, he doesn’t just walk away, he flees! (James 4:7).
Fight the enemy with prayer.
Never underestimate the power of prayer. When we spend time in prayer our relationship with the Lord grows and our faith increases. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
Fight the enemy by speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
When we consider others as more important than ourselves, we can’t help but get involved. God’s children must speak the truth, even if our voices shake, to a lost and hurting world. So what stirs your heart? It may be speaking up for the unborn, the homeless, victims of human trafficking… the list goes on and on. Speaking the truth isn’t easy but the benefit of being fearless has rewards both now and for eternity. If not you, then who?
In conclusion, remember that you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus because greater is He who is living in you than he who is in the world. You are here for such a time as this and as the song says, “If you’re not dead, then God’s not done!” Now size up your opponent and fight– from victory!
(Contributed by Jennifer McAlister. Her devotionals are featured in Bible.com, Faith and Fitness Magazine, and her book Press On: Stories of endurance, faith, and trust. Her passion includes empowering young women to make healthy, life-affirming decisions as a counselor at a pregnancy center.)
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
Prayer Points:
- A dizzying amount of bills are being considered at the federal level right now, many of which would fundamentally change our nation. Pray diligently for your elected officials who serve you in the House and Senate.
- The state of Victoria in Australia passed a law last week that would essentially criminalize Christians who adhere to a biblical view of gender and sexuality. Pray for Christians to have the courage to stand for truth, no matter the cost. You can read more about the new law here.
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
This ministry is made possible by the generous support of friends like you.