THE ART OF WAR

Part 3: Standing Firm

(John 8:31-36 NIV) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

(Luke 11:24-26 NIV) When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.

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(Galatians 5:1 NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

(Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the wholearmor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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.

(Romans 8:37 NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors THROUGH Him who loved us.

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

(2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…

We don’t fight ,

but from .

1. Download God’s strength from .

(Psalm 119:28 NIV) My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

2. Download God’s strength from .

(Psalm 59:17 NIV) You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

3. Download God’s strength from .

(Isaiah 40:30-31 ESV) Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…

(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

• I can !

(Romans 8:1-2 MSG) You no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

• I can !

(Psalm 71:20 NIV) Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.