To resist or not to resist

Image by Xanetia via Flickr

"To Resist or not to resist" By Diane Webb

Ephesians 6: 12—"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".

No matter who it is that is coming against you, please remember—all battles are spiritual. With this understanding, you will approach the person or issue differently. If you find yourself arguing about a price in a store, think about it from a spiritual perspective. When you are being treated unfairly, think about it from a spiritual point of view as well. Sometimes we get caught up in issues and address them from a personal agenda which gets us off on the wrong track. If you are having conflict with another person, it is a spiritual issue not a personal one. When facing forces of evil—in whatever form it takes—stand firm and be willing to resist. Sometimes taking a stand means not to bend to pressure or run away from the situation. Taking a stand can mean don't quit. Tell yourself, "I do not give up and I do not give in". This is not the same as when being tested by God. When being tested we need to submit. We need to take on the philosophy of non-resistance so God can work on us. In other words, if it's from God then we submit but if it's from Satan we are to resist. We never submit to Satan and we never fight God. How do you know which is which? You know through discernment. Discernment comes through prayer, the reading of scripture, and the application of scripture. God will never violate or contradict scripture. He will not ask you to do something that goes against his word. No matter how great the outcome may appear, if it involves a violation of scripture then it is not from God. When faced with conflict, ask yourself "is this from God or from Satan?" Anger usually accompanies wrongful words or actions. If a situation or person is provoking your anger then respond carefully. Remaining calm, cool, and collected is the Christian way. Any stand we take in our fight against evil need not be nasty, rude, or hateful. We can take a stand with a Christian attitude and be even more effective than if we were threatening and yelling. In all situations we must present ourselves in a Christ-like manner. You know when you are resisting God because as soon as you stop resisting things suddenly get better. Sometimes we resist God for years and years thereby increasing our own struggling. Usually, the resistance is our effort to be more comfortable or in fighting against the character traits God wants us to demonstrate—like self-control or patience. Galatians 5: 22 points out the character traits God wants us to demonstrate as evidence we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Post this list somewhere you can see it regularly because it will help you discern how to recognize if a situation is from God (thereby requiring submission) or from Satan (thereby indicating a need to resist). People who take a stance of either resisting everything all the time or giving in to everything all the time are misguided some of the time because the same approach is not called for in every situation. As said before—if it's from God do not resist; if it's from Satan then resist. In either case, never violate scripture in your response. If you are confused about what to do, look at the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22 and this usually will make it more obvious to you in most situations.

Dear heavenly Father, help me recognize the difference between a test from you and a stumbling block from Satan. Help me fight when I am suppose to fight and submit when I am suppose to submit. I ask for discernment, Lord, to help me face life's battles today. Protect me, God, from spiritual wickedness in high places. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.