I would like to share two verses from Apostle Paul that I have depended upon to live my life – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
To be on guard means being awake and alert to Satan’s wiles. He is like a prowling lion, always seeking to devour us. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we are not fighting against fleshand- blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” As believers, we need to be acutely aware of this unseen enemy, and watchful that we are living our lives the way God intended. However, being on guard doesn’t mean we need to live in constant tension because God has assured us that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
To be on guard, we must stand firm in the faith. Being a warrior involves cultivating a heart and a life that is firmly grounded in God’s word. This strong root of faith is nurtured through our personal relationship with Jesus – by reading His word, praying and loving others.
When we are alert and firmly rooted in our faith, we can courageously rise up to defend against false doctrines. I’ve found that this is an area where many of us fear confronting and fail. The enemy tells us, “You can’t do anything. You’ll fail. It’s too much for you.” And surely enough, we keep silent, do nothing and fail. But courage is simply the willingness to take action. Bravery is not the lack of fear, but the ability to move forward in spite of fear.
So, dear disciples, let us be courageous. More than ever, in these troubled times, we must be on guard spiritually and stand firm in our faith. When we’re strengthened by the Spirit, act with courage, and do everything in love, God will let His will be done in and through our lives.
- Apostolic Overseer Nina Khong