The next imperative in this short list of five is to ‘Stand Firm’. 

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” This is interesting as I see that ‘Stand Firm’ is also found in some of the same passages that we find ‘Be Alert”; such as Ephesians 6 and I Peter 5. 

Ephesians 6:11, 13, 18

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to ‘stand firm’ against the schemes of the devil… Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the day of evil, and having done everything, to ‘stand firm’… “Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

‭‭I Peter 5:8-9

“ Be sober and be alert. Your enemy the devil… Resist him, ‘stand firm’ in your faith, for you know that your brothers in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.”

What must I do before I can ‘stand firm’? According to these passages I must….

Eph 6:11    Put on the armor 

Eph 6:13 Take up the armor

I Pet 5:9 Resist the devil

I Cor 16:13 Be watchful

Prior preparation prevents poor performance. Daily putting on the armor and building a disciplined pattern of resisting the devil is critical to standing firm in the faith. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a warrior who is ready for battle so that I will stand firm in the faith.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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