Be strong in the Lord

Be strong in the Lord, don’t be weak in the Lord! There is spiritual warfare in the heavens, and there is spiritual warfare on the earth. So be strong in the Lord. There is spiritual wickedness in high places to wrestle with, and there are serpents and scorpions on earth to trample underfoot. Be strong in the Lord.

There are strongholds to pull down and imaginations to cast down. Be strong in the Lord; you cannot afford to be weak in the Lord.

Strength in the power of His might

Before Paul ever introduced the reality of spiritual battles in Ephesians 6:12, he first urged believers to be “strong in the Lord” and “in the power of His might.” We are not called to be strong in ourselves.

No, we are called to be strong in the power of His might. The devil will try to convince you that you must rely on your own strength. He will try to sow seeds of weakness in your mind.

He will tell you that you are weak, that you were meant to be weak, and that you should remain weak. He will try to make you dream of weakness, speak of weakness, and expect weakness. But you must tell the devil: “I am not strong in my own abilities; I am strong in the Lord!” Hallelujah!

Do not be weak in the Lord; be strong in the Lord

Only those who are strong in the Lord, and not in their own strength or abilities, can stand against the wiles of the devil. And yes, every believer can be strong in the Lord.

While imprisoned, Paul observed soldiers and understood this truth: a soldier who is not strong in the laws of the land cannot stand firm or exercise authority over criminals. No soldier relies on their own strength; they follow the laws of the land. In other words, they are strong in the law of the land.

They do not enter battles relying on themselves. Likewise, believers are called to be spiritual soldiers, not strong in their own might or abilities, but strong in the Lord. Therefore, Paul urges God’s people: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Jesus disarmed principalities and powers

Here is why you must be strong in the Lord: because Jesus disarmed principalities and powers and made a public show of triumphing over them (Colossians 2:15). He is the firstborn of every creature, and all power in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.

Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, and He has given us authority, not to sit quietly or complain about how the devil is wreaking havoc in our homes and lives, but to trample on scorpions, serpents, and all the power of the enemy. And He promised: “Nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).