Stand up for God

Are you standing up for God? Are you standing on the promises of God and proclaiming them?

Standing up for God takes courage. You may lose friends and people of interest when you stand up for God and His Word. However, as believers in Christ we are told to stand. Stand up straight and stand tall for God's Glory!

Notice in the passage below regarding the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles (trickery, cunning craftiness, deceit) of the Devil. In contrast to standing against the Devil and his antics, we are to stand for God and His Word!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." – Ephesians 6:10-20

We are to stand against the Devil by standing up for God!

Notice the Apostle Paul lists out a host of spiritual defenses in order to stand up for God: He tells believers to be strong in the Lord (not yourself), take the full armor of God – the belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the boots of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the one offensive weapon needed which is the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). All the defensive gear is centered around Christ. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Jesus is Righteousness (Rom. 3:25-26). Jesus is Peace (Isa. 9:6, Phil. 4:7). Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb. 12:2). Jesus is Salvation (Acts 4:12, 1 Thess. 5:9, Tit. 2:11-13). And lastly, Jesus is our offensive tool as well as the revealed Word of God (John 1:1, 14). Stand for Jesus. Proclaim Christ.

Paul reminds us in the last verses that we are ambassadors (representatives) of Christ and are to speak boldly the Gospel to a lost and dying world. Remember, the Holy Spirit gives us the boldness to open up our mouth and proclaim God’s love message of salvation through Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8, 2 Tim. 1:7)

Don’t allow the Devil to discourage you and use his trickery to deceive your mission. Your mission is to proclaim the Gospel (Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as the substitute payment for sin - 1 Cor. 15:1-4). The Devil’s mission is to prevent the Gospel from going out (2 Cor. 4:4); the believer’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel at all costs (1 Cor. 9:16). Defeat the Devil by standing for God. Preach Christ!

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” – Romans 1:16