Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Philippians 1:27-29 NKJV
There are so many things we go through in this life.
There’s always a trial to go through. There’s always tribulation at the next stop.
The Lord gives us the refreshment our souls need during these times. He gives us the strength to endure and carry on.
But we talk about these things often as a body of Christ.
Yes there is power in the name of Jesus. Yes we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
There are so many amazing truths the Word of God gives us to carry on.
The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!
We sometimes try to hide our humanity.
This flesh is weak. It will fail. It will fall.
It will do the things that are completely against the Word of God.
Sin abounds from this flesh.
Praise God for the mercy He shows us through His Son Jesus!
When we speak of things of the flesh we think about the lustful desires that Satan uses to lure us away from our God.
Yes there is The Temptation of the flesh. We read how Jesus was in the wilderness forty days and forty nights.
And He endured every temptation Satan offered Him. Never did He sin!
Sometimes there is a different type of temptation that we don’t see or overlook.
The Temptation to have fear and terror.
Paul tells the Philippians to not be terrified by your adversaries.
There is real power in fear and terror.
The Lord tells us so many times to fear not.
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
He encourages us to trust Him at all times in all things. And we should.
We have to remind ourselves that the God we serve comes alongside us. The Lord will give us the strength we need. He is the One that holds us up when we are weak.
Sometimes we don’t have the emotional capacity to do that.
The clutches of terror can be so tight that the very breath in our lungs can be squeezed out.
Terror is real.
As the world continues to come against the Church, we will see more and more fear and terror. Don’t be too quick to stand and say
” That’s not me! I’m not afraid of anything!”.
Don’t allow your pride to cover up what is really in your heart. We all have fear and terror of something.
As persecution becomes more prevalent and evil is even more widespread, terror has the potential to seep into even the most faithful of hearts.
Be aware.
There is a difference between fear and terror.
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by being aware of danger; it’s a feeling of being afraid.
Terror is panicked fear.
In ancient Greek, the word terrified paints a picture.
It explains terror as an uncontrollable stampede of startled horses when it faces any kind of opposition.
It can be a good thing to have a healthy fear. To have an awareness of the dangers that are coming against us. That fear will give us the opportunity to cling to the promises of God.
The awareness that fear brings to our minds will also bring the remembrance of the Lord in our hearts!
But terror is different.
In a stampede there is chaos.
The group of horses don’t know where to run. Where to hide. Because of the terror they separate and start going in their own direction. And when they are separated they are weak to any prey that causes the terror in the first place!
This prey will catch up and destroy what’s in it’s path!
Paul had written to the Philippians to encourage them. This was a body of believers trying to fight the Good fight, together!
“you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”
Let me ask.
How well does the church today stand together?
Are we really standing fast in One Spirit?
Do we strive together for this faith we hold on tightly to?
Or have we allowed the stampede of terror and fear to separate us!
These last days will be detrimental.
The fear and terror that are coming will be unbearable.
Many will be paralyzed in their thoughts and actions. Terror will be the Primary weapon used to intimidate us. We have to start now!
Prepare your hearts now!
Cement the love of Christ in your hearts, now.
Allow His Holy Word to captivate every thought!
Let His strength refresh your weak bones.
Allow His tender mercy and grace to reign over all!
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalms 91:5-6 NKJV
Paul had to remind the Church of something.
Paul wanted the Philippian Christians to have the same kind of boldness he had.
…that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
When Followers of Christ are not terrified by their adversaries, that is their enemies’ perdition!
Perdition means destruction, wasting, or damnation.
We must have the courage to stand strong and firm.
There are many that are against the Word of Truth and are doing a good job at intimidating God’s Church.
There is intimidation from the world, the flesh and Satan!
If we can truly stand on the Faithfulness of Jesus and His Power and Might, it shows all of those spiritual enemies that their ultimate destruction is certain.
When our spiritual enemies fail to make us afraid, they have failed completely because they really have no other weapon than fear and intimidation.
There is power in courage.
When we are able to not in any way be terrified by our adversaries, we give hope and confidence to those around us that are lacking. That’s what the body of Believers is supposed to do. Encourage one another. Lift up the one thats down. We are even called to carry each other’s burdens.
This encourages me greatly!
The destruction of the enemy of my soul depends on how much courage and trust I have. Definitely not my own but the Lord Jesus Christ, and those brothers and sisters that are willing stand and fight and proclaim the Kingdomof God with me!
When He says to fear not, when He says to stand firm, there is a reason for it!
Jesus was tempted in every single way possible. I’m sure fear and terror had to be part of it. But He stood firm on the Words of His Father!
This is how we stand up in defiance to fear and terror the enemy offers!
- It is written!
Use the Power of God’s Word wisely today!
Stand in faith, trust and assurance.
Be courageous to stand against the fear, so the terror doesn’t have a chance to create the chaos it so desperately desires!
Remember we are not alone,even in the darkest times of our souls!
Meditate in this today.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
I John 4:18-19 NKJV
Pastor Ed