Be Strong in the Lord

by Mitchell Tan
November 19, 2020

CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE STRUGGLE AGAINST A STRONG ENEMY

Underestimating our enemy is a very common mistake we make. We tend to be unconscious of the spiritual realm and of the deadly forces that wage war against us. The apostle Paul did not take this for granted. He was conscious of this tremendous struggle that Christians are involved in.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12

The word “wrestle” in Greek has the idea of a “struggle”. The word “against” is repeated six times in this verse. It emphasises what the Christian soldier has to struggle against. He is up against an invisible yet formidable enemy at all levels and not just against one demon. He is up against a hierarchy of demonic rulers leading a great horde of demons. They are wicked, well-organised and powerful. They are merciless and out to destroy our lives. The devil is in absolute control of them. If we continue to under-estimate them and their schemes, we are going to be sorely defeated.

FIRST THINGS FIRST – BE STRONG IN THE LORD

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Ephesians 6:10

1. TO BE STRENGTHENED BY THE LORD

The word “strong” has the idea of being endued with an external dynamic power from above. A Christian soldier cannot attain to this strength by himself. He has to be strengthened by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is seated at the right hand of God, has absolute sovereignty and is far above all demonic powers (Ephesians 1:21). He is far more powerful than the demonic rulers and their great hordes of demons in the spiritual realm. With this dynamic strength from the Lord Jesus, one is able to do all things that is needed to overcome challenges. The Lord will stand with him and sustain him. Our part is to be connected to Him and to draw close to Him.

2. TO BE STRENGTHENED IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT

The word “power” has the idea of His awesome power. “Might” is a reference to His natural spiritual power. There is the mighty power of God our Father available to us. There is the might of the Spirit in energising the inner man. There is also the Lord Jesus’s awesome and supreme might to be applied for spiritual warfare. Let’s humbly seek to be strengthened in the power of His might.

BY HIS GRACE

Ultimately, it is by faith in the Lord and His grace that we can be strong.

1. RELYING ON HIS GRACE TO BE A GOOD SOLIDER OF JESUS CHRIST

We are to rely on the grace that is in Christ Jesus so that we may endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:1, 3).

2. RELYING ON HIS GRACE IN WEAKNESS

Grace is also given when we recognize ourselves as truly weak before Him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This strength is paradoxical. It is in our weakness that we are strengthened by the Lord. Let’s learn to have faith in the Lord in our weakness that His abundant grace may be upon us.

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