The Unseen Battle: Standing Firm in Faith!

Understanding the Importance of Faith

Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian life, the foundation upon which our entire relationship with God is built. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). Faith is not merely intellectual assent to certain truths; it is a living, active trust in God and His promises, even when circumstances contradict what we believe.

The importance of faith cannot be overstated. It is through faith that we are saved: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8 KJV). Our justification before God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through our own works or righteousness. As Paul writes, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1 KJV).

Faith also enables us to access God's power and experience His supernatural intervention in our lives. Jesus frequently connected miracles to faith, saying to those He healed, "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (Matthew 9:22 KJV). When we stand firm in faith, we open ourselves to the limitless possibilities of God's grace and power working in and through us.

Cultivating a Strong Faith

Faith is not static; it must be cultivated and strengthened continually. The Word of God is essential to building strong faith: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17 KJV). Regular engagement with Scripture feeds our faith, reminding us of God's character, His promises, and His faithfulness throughout history.

Prayer is another vital component in cultivating faith. As we commune with God, sharing our hearts and listening for His voice, our trust in Him deepens. Jesus taught His disciples about the power of faith in prayer, saying, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20 KJV).

Fellowship with other believers also strengthens our faith. When we gather, we encourage one another, share testimonies of God's faithfulness, and bear one another's burdens. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so, a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17 KJV). In community, we find support and accountability that helps us stand firm when our individual faith wavers.

Faith in Action

True faith is never passive; it manifests itself in action. James challenges us with the question, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" (James 2:14 KJV). He goes on to declare, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17 KJV). Our faith must be demonstrated through obedience to God's Word and loving service to others.

Faith in action means stepping out in obedience even when we cannot see the full picture. Abraham demonstrated this kind of faith when "he went out, not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8 KJV). When God calls us to a task or leads us in a particular direction, faith responds with obedience, trusting that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9 KJV).

Moreover, faith in action involves loving others sacrificially. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35 KJV). Our faith should compel us to serve, give generously, forgive freely, and extend compassion to those in need, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do.

Overcoming Doubts & Fears

Even the strongest believers experience moments of doubt and fear. When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3 KJV). If John, whom Jesus called the greatest born of women, experienced doubt, we should not be surprised when we face similar struggles.

The key to overcoming doubt is to bring it honestly before God. When a father desperate for his son's healing confessed to Jesus, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24 KJV), Jesus responded with compassion and healing. God is not threatened by our questions; He invites us to seek Him with all our hearts, promising, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV).

Fear is another enemy of faith. Yet Scripture repeatedly commands us not to fear, reminding us of God's constant presence. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10 KJV). When fear threatens to overwhelm us, we must deliberately choose to trust in God's promises and his unfailing love.

Faith & the Armour of God

In the spiritual battle we face, faith serves as a crucial piece of our defensive armour. Paul instructs believers to take up "the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16 KJV). The enemy's attacks come in many forms—accusations, temptations, discouragement, and lies—but faith in God's truth and promises provides protection against these assaults.

The shield of faith works in conjunction with the other pieces of spiritual armour: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Together, these form a complete defence system for the believer. When we stand firm in faith, wearing the full armour of God, we can "withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13 KJV).

Our faith must be rooted in the reality of the spiritual battle around us. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12 KJV). Understanding the nature of this conflict helps us recognise why faith is so essential—we are engaged in warfare that requires supernatural resources.

Standing Firm in Times of Trial

Trials are inevitable in the Christian life, but they serve a purpose in strengthening our faith. James writes, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diver's temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:2-3 KJV). Through trials, our faith is refined like gold in fire, becoming purer and stronger.

When facing trials, we must remember God's faithfulness. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV). God never allows more than we can handle with His help, and He always provides a way through.

Standing firm requires perseverance. Paul encourages us, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV). When everything around us shakes, we can remain unshaken because our faith is built on the Rock, Jesus Christ. As the hymn writer Edward Mote penned, "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand."

Standing firm in faith is not a passive stance but an active, daily choice to trust God regardless of circumstances. It requires us to understand faith's importance, cultivate it through Scripture and prayer, demonstrate it through our actions, overcome doubts and fears, utilise the spiritual armour God provides, and persevere through trials. As we do so, we fulfil Paul's exhortation: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV). May we be found faithful, standing firm until the day Christ returns…

Key Takeaways:

• Faith is essential for pleasing God - Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)
• Faith leads to salvation - We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)
• Faith must be cultivated - Through regular engagement with God's Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers (Romans 10:17 KJV)
• True faith produces action - Faith without works is dead; our beliefs must be demonstrated through obedience and love (James 2:17 KJV)
• Faith is our shield in spiritual warfare - It protects us against the enemy's attacks and fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16 KJV)
• Trials strengthen our faith - Testing refines our faith like gold in fire, producing patience and perseverance (James 1:2-3 KJV)
• Standing firm requires daily choice - We must actively choose to trust God regardless of circumstances, remaining steadfast and unmoveable (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV)