FIGHT OR FLIGHT?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  (Ephesians 6:10-13)

In this classic passage on spiritual warfare, Paul exhorts us to stand our ground.  Satan is a master of terror and wants to scare us into surrender.  The fiend desires to send a shiver into our spine and send us scurrying for cover.  But, God has given us armor. 

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph.6:14-17)

In a choice between flight or fight, we can stand firm.  We lift the shield of faith that will extinguish every flaming dart of doubt the Devil launches at us.  As we stand upon the promises of God, we have sure footing.  We can use the Spirit’s sword—the Word of God—to go on the offensive.

But, there is no armor for the back!  Every piece is designed to face the foe, not flee from him.  Let us have the courage of the convinced—knowing that, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  (Rom.8:31b).  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom.8:37)

We can look at the opposition we face and be vexed by it or victorious over it—running scared or standing strong.  “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” (Isa.59:19)  Let us lift high the blood-stained banner of the cross—and stand our ground!  We need the faith of the army captain who was informed that a large number of troops had encircled their little band of soldiers.  He said, “Men, they’ve got us completely surrounded; don’t let one of them escape!”