Overcoming Spiritual Opposition to Your God-Given Dream
“Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:10-18).
Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers describes the workmanship of God, His creation and its purpose. It brings great revelation concerning the relationship of the believer and their place in the body of Christ.
While we are assured of the authority of Jesus Christ in our lives, Paul warns the believer that there are many adversaries that we will have to face. These foundational truths and purposes in the book of Ephesians are to position the believer to be prepared for opposition and to defend the truth of God’s Word in their lives.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word reveals that we are divinely positioned towards the fulfillment of God’s will and purpose, which is revealed through the church of Jesus Christ. The Word of God shows us that there are promises we are to contend for through our faith in Him.
When a promise is given by God, it will cause your life to become a witness to His Word and its truth. Sometimes, this can be a witness to something that has not happened yet, but you can see it through revelation. I believe that when we bear witness to His Word, even before we see the results, it gives us the power to face the uncertainty of the opposition of the enemy and to believe in God to fulfill His promises.
In order for you to be a bold witness of Christ, a contending Christian, you cannot be passive, immature, insecure or indifferent. You cannot just sit on the sidelines. The mandate to be a contending Christian demands that we seek the face of God. When you abide in the secret place of His Presence, it will cause your spirit to be renewed and your faith to be strengthened.
The Apostle Paul asserts this when he says, “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). When you have seen with your eyes what others say is impossible, that revelation will become a strong foundation that causes you to fight through all the uncertainties of life. You will be ready to fight for what you have received by faith! Once you have seen the power of God at work in your life, you cannot be talked out of it, no matter what comes against you. You must become a contender!
Unless you understand that there is going to be opposition against your God-given dream, then you will be overtaken during the time when you need to contend for your breakthrough the most. That means that we must not be passive believers. There has to be a level of aggression and unwavering persistence in our fight of faith. Paul declares that when we have “done all to stand, stand therefore.” Do not be moved out of your Promised Land. You must stay standing and you will see the salvation of the Lord!
I pray that the upcoming year will be a year of fulfilled promise as you stand in the destiny that God has divinely positioned you for in your life. Amen!
Nathan Morris founded Shake The Nations Ministries (STN) in 2006 based on the Scripture Haggai 2:7 that says, “I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with Glory.” Nathan stands as both the spiritual and business head of the ministry. He travels extensively around the world, ministering and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. His unwavering desire is to see the full gospel of Jesus Christ at work seeing multitudes saved, healed and restored in these last critical days.