Week 22 – “Stand Strong in the Lord”

Ephesians 6:10-11

In a conversation with a relative who expressed extreme evil and divisiveness, I had to focus, lean on the Holy Spirit’s strength, and decide whether to remain silent or obey the Lord and speak the truth in love. A righteous indignation rose up inside of me, and I felt the Spirit prompt me to speak up boldly for the Lord. My words were biblical, respectful, and in love. In response to what I was saying, the person continued speaking harshly and loudly. I then began shouting, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!!” Their talking ceased, and they looked stunned as we continued the drive in silence. “At the Name of Jesus, demons will flee”, I thought to myself. At what seemed like the longest car ride of my life, we eventually reached our destination. I said goodbye and stepped out of the car. After that car ride, there was a great cost to my speaking up against evil, as the person wrote me out of their lives, scarcely returned my calls, and spread lies and evil about my family and me until their last breath. 

As I reflect on that conversation in the car and the backlash that followed, I praise God! If I had to do it all over again, I would say the exact things I said that day. All I had learned, studied, and believed about Jesus and my faith was put to the test during that car ride, and it came at a great cost for my family and me because I spoke up. Matthew 10:34-37 (NIV) states:

’34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ‘

Jesus said that when we stand for Him, even those in our family could become our enemies. What I had to remember was the spiritual warfare at hand. My love and devotion for Jesus had to be greater than my love and devotion for this family member. Had I remained silent that day, my relative would not have turned against my family and me, and we would not been rejected by them. Instead, I would have turned against Jesus and rejected my Savior. This relative hated my faith, my standards in the Lord, and my love for people whom he wanted me to hate along with him. I refused to comply and refused to remain silent in the hearing of evil. I may have lost things on earth, but I gained heavenly treasures by walking in obedience to my Lord and Savior.

Where is God calling you to take a stand for His truth? We are living in times where the Savior we stand for, along with His values, are hated by many. They may be on your job, in your school, your neighborhood, or even your home.  If our sinless Savior, Jesus, hung on the cross, beaten and humiliated, while bearing our sins, we should be able to speak up for Him boldly.

Friends, we are in spiritual warfare more than ever. We are called to choose each day whom we will serve. Be strong in the Lord, my friends, and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-11).