Stand Strong

 Stand Strong

Sept 11, 2025

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you dobe done in love.

Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armorof God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Evil. Today we remember the great evil perpetrated on 9/11/2001. We also have the fresh horror  of experiencing the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday. So much evil. The war is very real and is not a new thing. Paul explains the true enemy in verse 12.

 Ephesians 6:12

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

These forces of darkness have been at war with the kingdom of God from time immemorial. Hate, division, violence and strife are nothing new. But what is our response?

Paul’s answer to the Ephesians and Corinthians is to stand strong. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and the word of God are our weapons and our armor. Charlie Kirk was a true warrior. He was in the midst of proclaiming truth when he was senselessly gunned down. His voice was silenced, but his message must not be silenced. Faith, hope and love must be proclaimed until Jesus comes. There will be casualties in this war, but in the end we know that love wins! The kingdom of God is coming and nothing can stop it. So take heart. Mourn for the losses on 9/11 and yesterday, but be resolved to stand firm against the spiritual forces of wickedness and proclaim the gospel of peace until the Lord comes. And remember verse 18 and pray for God’s messengers to have courage to speak the truth in the face of evil.

Ephesians 6:18-20

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.