STAND YOUR GROUND!!!

The title of this message was inspired by the controversial Florida Law called ‘Stand Your Ground Law’. It has also been adopted in half of the states in America under different names yet the same form. It simply states that a person may use force in self defence when there is a reasonable belief of a threat without any obligation to retreat. In some cases, a person may use deadly force in public areas without a duty to retreat. The law would be a defence or immunity to criminal and civil suit. In short, a person has no duty to retreat when under an attack BUT RATHER STAND THEIR GROUND AND FIGHT BACK EVEN WITH  DEADLY FORCE.

This law may be a subject of debate with recent misuse of it by racist persons against innocent blacks but it is the right approach to SPIRITUAL WARFARE. How ironic that what does not seem to be working in the world is exactly  we should  use to deal with the wiles of our enemy – satan. The law was made to deal with genuine cases of attack but like everything else, it has become a tool by certain bigoted whites to kill blacks as seen in the Trayvon Martin murder by George Zimmerman using that law.

 Consider these facts – we have an enemy, satan whose clear mission is to “steal, kill and destroy” our lives (John 10.10). He does it with zeal. This is not an enemy to fool around with or underestimate. The Bible says of him “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5.6nkjv  We are dealing with a life under threat of death situation all the time just as the Florida law envisaged. But how does the Scripture say we should act? In retreat – fleeing from him? In fear - afraid to do anything and only complain about our helplessness? OR STAND YOUR GROUND AND FIGHT BACK!!! The latter is what God has said to us many times and it begins by saying” Resist him, steadfast in the faith...”1 Peter 5.9nkjv

The beautiful aspect of it all is that we have been given both power and authority to act i.e. stand, attack and WIN. Really, we have the upper hand in any confrontation with the enemy whether direct or through people under his influence but we must maintain the victory position -STANDING. What are those positions?

Well, the scriptures tell us that it is not a fight against the devil for Jesus has dealt with that on the Cross and gave us the victory – Hebrews 2. 14 - 15(The reason why you must have a victory mindset) but a fight to unleash and enforce that victory over satan. It is therefore aptly called “Fight the good FIGHT OF FAITH” 1 Timothy 6.12(emphasis mine). It is a fight in which you exercise your authority by THE WORD in any situation to experience the victory already prepared for you.

So here are some of such positions that you should STAND ON IN VICTORY- IN CHRIST

·        Faith – “ Watch, STAND FAST in the faith, be brave, be strong”   1 Corinthians 16.13 nkjv(emphasis mine)

·        “... for by faith you STAND.  2 Corinthians 1.24nkjv(emphasis mine)

·        Freedom from ‘ the spirit of religion - self righteousness’ -  “ In (this) freedom, Christ has made us free(and completely liberated us); STAND FAST then and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery(which you have once put off)” Galatians 5.1 Amplified Bible(emphasis mine)

·        Trust in Christ ONLY -  “Therefore, my beloved and longed for brethren, my joy and crown, so STAND FAST IN THE LORD, beloved” Philippians 4.1nkjv

·        Deadly force - “Put on all God’s armour so that you will be able to STAND SAFE against all strategies and tricks of satan” Ephesians 6.11. Living Bible(emphasis mine)

·        Victory Position – “ So use every piece of God’s armour to resist the enemy whenever he attacks and when it is all over, you will still be STANDING UP” Ephesians 6.13. Living Bible( emphasis mine)

Unlike the Florida State Law that maybe be subject to repeal, misuse or misunderstood, God’s promises are INCONTROVERTIBLE, UNSHAKEABLE AND ETERNAL. They are your only form of action when confronted with life’s challenges. They are neither subject to human interpretation nor action and they only give VICTORY. In the end, you must decide whether to STAND YOUR GROUND IN VICTORY or to retreat in fear and failure. The decision is only yours to make..............Court ARISE; Case adjourned.