1 Corinthians 16:13

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

 

There are commands in Scripture that are repeated many times. The call to 'stand firm' is one of those commands. It appears all throughout the Bible.

Here are a few powerful verses in Scripture about standing firm:

 

 

1 Peter 5:8-11 The Message (MSG)

He Gets the Last Word

8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert! The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

 

 

HOW TO KEEP STANDING FIRM ON GOD'S WORD:

 

Webster's Dictionary defines "standing firm" as *to refuse to change a decision, position*

 

As Christians, our faith will be constantly challenged in the form of temptation and trials. The Devil knows exactly when to target us–when we’re at our weakest, he knows precisely what tempts us most.

 

Often, the challenge comes when the world’s way is counter-cultural to God’s way. We want to be accepted, and it’s difficult to always say or do the right things.

 

And, of course, we are challenged when we face trials that cut us to the bone–grief, loss, sickness, and disappointment can all lead us to waver in our belief.

 

*3 WAYS TO STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH*

 

1. *KNOW UPON WHAT (OR WHOM) WE ARE STANDING*

 

One common keyword regarding what or whom we should stand on is "The Rock"!

 

Psalm 40: 1-2, John 14:6, Isaiah 40:8

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

 

 

When God reached down and saved us, He lifted us out of the pit and set us on the Rock. Jesus is the Rock, and He is a firm place to stand. He is truth and His Word is truth (, John 17:17).

 

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”

 

2 Thessalonians 2:15

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

 

 

When your faith is challenged, remember that you stand on the Rock of Jesus Christ. His Word is a firm place to stand. He does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Dig your heels in and trust the One who is beneath you.

 

2. *SAY NO TO THE DEVIL AND HIS LIES*

When we are struggling with our faith, the Devil will constantly suggest 'alternatives' that are contrary to God's Word to us. We have to choose to cast down those thoughts (Ephesians 6:13).

1 Peter 5:8

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”

 

 

 

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

 

 

You know what stands out to me in that verse? (Pardon the pun.) After YOU have DONE everything. In other words, we have to do our part. We have to put on the armor and actively choose to protect our minds from wrong thoughts, our hearts from pride, our gut from lies. Then we have to take up our shield of faith.

 

We have to be self-controlled and alert and on guard. But when we have done our part, God enables us to stand.

 

3. *DON'T SWITCH BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT*

We have to know what we believe and why we believe, so that when the challenges come, we are firm in our faith. Why did you decide to follow Jesus? Why do you choose to serve Him? What do you believe about God and His Word?

 

1 Kings 18:21

“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.'”

 

 

 

*WHAT DID DAVID SAY TO GOLIATH?*

1 Samuel 17:45 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

45 David said to Goliath, “You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming against you in the name of the LORD who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He’s the one you have dared to fight against.

 

1. Ask God to increase your faith exponentially, to help you to believe his promises will be fulfilled in our lives regardless of our situation.

2. Pray for the grace to trust God's Word over your ways and thoughts. - in the middle of darkness, in the middle of sorrow, in the middle of his tribulation. 

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your strength and help you to live a life of faith that doesn’t waver through unbelief.