Resistance is not futile!

​By Cindy Geyer

Living Word:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7

Word In Motion:
WHAT IS RESISTANCE - Resistance is our ability to resist an opposing force. It is the act of withstanding forces influences or authorities that are contrary to God's will or purposes. It is a spiritual, moral, and physical resistance.

HOW DO WE RESIST
1. Submit yourself to God alone,
2. Resist the devil and he will flee.
3. Cleanse and purify our hearts 
4. Humble ourselves 

EXAMPLES of ones who resisted the ploys of the enemy and thoughts of this world.

• ​Shadrack Meshach and Abendigo in the fire. Didnt worship the idols of this world and were victorious
• Daniel in the lions den. Didnt stop putting God 1st and was victorious
• Jesus tempted in the desert. Our prime example of resisting the enemy, who seeks to destroy us, by using the WORD OF GOD!

Consider how Christ endured the opposition, He succeeded so that we will succeed. How did HE do it... He knew His God, He knew the word, He knew Gods character and promises. So, don’t grow weary and lose heart, know God, know his love, grace, and mercy. KNOW THE WORD OF GOD. 

Christ resistance and success!
1st temptation - Substance, we don't live by bread alone.

• His Resistance - God is my source!  Don't prioritize your material and physical needs over spiritual and moral considerations. We need to resist those temptations and rely on God and his faithfulness.

2nd Temptation - Power - God Alone has all authority

• His Resistance - worship God alone. He alone is God! Loyalty to God alone, over worldly pursuits, resist desires of the flesh, do not be allured by the world, position, or power. resistance to worldly power authority or position

3rd Temptation – Don't Test Him 

• His Resistance - Don't test him. Resist testing God's ability. Trust in him and his promises. Trust in God without miraculous proof.

It is important to know when and how to resist. Not all conflict is enemy sometimes it is God cleansing the soul.  Pray, seek truth, seek godly counsel in making decisions about how and whom to resist.

Resistance involves standing against sin, evil. and injustice while being guided by God's word and spirit. It requires wisdom, courage, and commitment to God's truth, and living in his righteousness. Like Daniel and the lion’s den, Shadrack Meshack and Abendigo in the fire, and our pure example Jesus. It is not futile!!

How to resist and build resistance

• Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7,9
• Walk by the spirit and you will not gratify the flesh. The flesh craves what is contrary to the spirit. The Spirit craves what is contrary to the flesh. Galatians 5 :16

​Resist by

1. Submitting to God
2. Resisting the devil and he will flee
3. Drawing nearer to God and you will be victorious.
4. Repenting - wash your hands - lay down your sin and allow God to cleanse your heart
5. Purifing your heart - be transformed - Surrender to one God, the one true God
6. Humbling yourself before him and he will lift you up - lay down your pride and kneel before him, and acknowledge you need him

Build Resistance by

1. Walking by His Spirit and you will not gratify the flesh

Submit, resist, draw near, wash and purify, and humble yourself and live by His spirit.

It is a voluntary act to submit and to yield to God's authority. Align yourself with his purposes and his truth. It is your response to God's grace and love. Surrendering our personal desires in favor of God's purposes. 

It is a daily act to submit. Being conscious of our decision to trust and follow, aligning ourselves with His truth Romans 12 :1.

The devil is our adversary and our accuser. He is seeking to devour and defeat us.

• Resist sin and cling to righteousness as Christ did in the wilderness. He will flee, so stand firm! He has been defeated through Christ’s death and resurrection. 1 Peter 5: 8.
• He can be overcome by our steadfast faith - he will retreat! Colossians 2 :15. 
• He can't tempt us beyond our ability to endure, God will find a way out, he remains faithful! 1 Corinthians 10 :13.

SO...

• Put on the FULL armor of God and Stand your ground. This armor gives us our ability to resist. It helps us to make a stand against the devil's schemes. It is our spiritual preparedness and reliance on God's strength and righteousness. . Ephesians 6:11-13
• Resist conforming to the things of this world. Commit to live according to God's standards rather than world or flesh pressures. Romans 12 : 2
• Hold your ground it is not by our strength but through God's power. Put on the full armor of God and stand! Ephesians 6 :11 :18.

Belt of truth

• It carries the sword and shield, it protects the front, it holds all the pieces together. It is to be fitted to your body. This piece holds all our armor in place, the pieces that protect the heart, organs, the reproductive system.
• Truth is found in God's word. We must know the truth to protect ourselves against our flesh, the world and our enemy. Truth grounds us and reminds us of our identity in Christ.

Breastplate of righteousness

• Protects our vital organs to be worn permanently! Fitted to us. It's there to protect our heart when we are not quick enough to use our shield. Our breastplate is his righteousness, he will never fail!
• Righteousness, a life rooted in God's word which protects our heart, kills our flesh, and defeats the enemy. Use it by wearing it.

Shoes of the Gospel of peace

• Protect feet on long journeys and in battles. They have thick soles, with straps wrapped perfectly around the ankles and calves to protect them from blistering. Also, had spikes to be able to stand firm, to give the soldier a firm foundation in a fight.
• Our peace is knowing we are secure in Christ. Remember the hope you have in Christ. His sacrifice on our behalf equals eternal life. Stand in this hope, this assurance which reveals confidence in God, which opens doors to share this peace with others. People will notice your confidence, and peace. So, testify.

Shield of faith

• Our defensive weapon, impenetrable wood, leather, canvas, and metal. It can be doused in water to quench fiery arrows.
• Trust in God's power and protection. Need this to remain steadfast. Trust in his promises to remain faithful. When fiery darts fly and pierce our shield extinguish them with God's goodness and grace over your life, our life-giving water.
• Block enemies attack with God's truth… he will never forsake, he will provide, he will answer, he will lead, he will defend, just to name a few. The shield also links with other believers shields to be able to advance, to protect others, to rest, and to heal.

Helmet of salvation

• Our most vulnerable area is our mind, one blow could prove fatal. The helmet covered the entire head, face, and eyes. Our armor is useless without a helmet.
• Our helmet is our crucial piece of armor. OUR Salvation!
• We need to remember and listen to the Holy Spirit that lives within us. He brings truth to the mind and restores our belief in Christ.
• We need to know him. This knowledge empowers us to stand and fight. It protects us from our weaknesses, it is where the statement “yet this I recall” flows from. Without our salvation there is no victory. When we know the truth that sets us free, that Christ died, rose, lives, and is coming back, death is defeated.
• So, we need know and remember that when we face dark times our salvation will light the way and carry us on. Place all your thoughts and things on the things above, his truth, feed your mind to protect your body! 

Sword of the spirit

• Not a defensive weapon. A weapon used by our skill of knowing and trusting in God's word.
• We need to know God's word by what is written and His Incarnate word. This knowledge is what we use to fight and defeat the enemy as Christ did in the desert.
• Be intentional in knowing his word and speaking his truth. The best statement to say to the enemy during an attack is “no, for it is written!” Swish swish.
• Immerse your mind in his truth and in his character and promises.
• Also this weapon saves more lives then it takes

Stand firm and pray!

• Show your reliance upon God.
• Our entire armor is rooted in his strength, without His presence we would be powerless.

Seek him! Know him! Believe him! Rely on him!!
This is our ability to resist attack.
This is our ability to stand firm
This is our resistance! 
Our resistance is not futile!!
​We will stand victorious!