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The Effective Life 1

March 30, 2009

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

This verse shines a light on our position in this life. The God of the universe has given divinely powerful weapons to empower His people for an effective life! God has designated us to reinforce what Jesus has done through the power of His death, burial, and resurrection.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17

In this world we are called to manifest Satan’s defeat. Christians are the people who stand strong and face trouble when everyone else is running away. When it comes to fear, the imagination can easily run out of control; so it’s important to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Let faith—trust and confidence—in God be your shield and use the two-edged sword of the Word to cut through every lie and attack of the devil.

For those of you who feel weary and without strength to resist the devil, look to God. He is your strength: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). God may direct you to get up out of self pity and go across town to minister to someone in a worse position. Shake off the extremes of numbing passivity and agitating paranoia. Cast down every imagination and look to God to receive strength and strategy for your life.

Stand Firm,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.