Young People's Group

Above All, To Stand

by Mitchell Tan
December 04, 2020

THE EVIL DAY

There is not a day that goes by without Satan being wickedly interested in us. He and his army are working around the clock to scheme and to war against us as individual Christian soldiers. The evil day (Ephesians 6:13) speaks of a specific time like a disaster or a time of great trouble or death. This is when there is a mounting sinister effort against the Christian soldier. If we show any weakness, the evil one will take advantage of it and would seek to destroy us. Young people, we need to be stronger than we are now. We need to stand against the devil and to withstand in the evil day.

TREMENDOUS SENSE OF PURPOSE TO UTILISE THE ARMOUR OF GOD

Utilising the armour well necessitates growing in understanding the purpose and enablement in standing against evil.

1. TO DEFEND OURSELVES AND OTHERS

“Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11

The Christian soldier must know how to counter the schemes of Satan not just for himself but to help shield others too. As we learn to put on the armour of God, there must come the ability to stand against the wiles of the devil. The word “able” in Greek means that the Lord’s dynamic power is enabling us. We are enabled to defend ourselves and others as we struggle against the evil forces.

2. TO BE ABLE TO RESIST

“Therefore, take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13

The word “withstand” in Greek has the idea of resisting. The Christian soldier must learn not to just defend. He must also learn to stand his ground. He must be able to take a firm stand in the evil day. The person may be allowed to go through great tribulations from the evil one and yet through wearing the armour of God, he is able to stand. There must be this tremendous sense of purpose to withstand the evil one. The manner to resist him is by humbling oneself before God (James 4:6). We are to submit ourselves to the Lord (James 4:7). We are to draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. It is through His grace that we can resist the evil one.

3. TO BE VICTORIOUS IN THE END

“And having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13

“Having done all” has the idea of putting all the effort that is needed. It is working hard at understanding the armour of God, training with it and waging war with it till the end. And when we have done all that is needed, we would still be standing spiritually. We would be the last men standing. As we do our part, the Lord will enable us to be victorious soldiers of the Lord Jesus.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Most of us are not conscious of applying the armour of God in our lives. As such, we tend to be defeated by the evil one. There is so much effort that can be put in into applying the armour of God in our lives. Much has been learnt at the Youth Conference. Let’s take time to review them and to apply them to our lives. Let’s practise the truths of God well that we may, above all, stand in life.

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