Do you have strength?

I saw a sign on the back of a truck while coming in to work this morning that said, “Strength comes from within”. I know many people that do not have much strength. Some cannot resist eating themselves into an undulating blob of blubber. Others smoke cigarettes, take illegal drugs, drink themselves into a stupor, cheat on their spouse, have terrible anger issues, and otherwise harm their body and spirit simply because they do not have the strength to resist satan. Inner strength comes from God and if we are to win the battle against temptation it will be through His strength and not ours.

The Bible makes it clear that our adversary, satan, has been given powers that we do not have. Make no mistake about it; the Bible is vividly clear that we are not match for him on our own. It is just as clear in Ephesians that we can do all’ things through Christ who strengthens us. We should rely on His strength and not our own. We are instructed in a manner akin to a soldier receiving instructions prior to entering battle. We are told to put on the “full armor” of the Lord that we may be able to withstand and at the end of the day having done all to stand.

Truth’, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, always’ praying, being watchful, and having perseverance are all mentioned as being components of the armor of the Lord. Guess which one is pointed out as having the capability to “quench” the fiery darts of the wicked one? Faith! Improve your faith and improve your strength.

Turn your problems and your life over to the Lord and then draw from almighty God’s strength. If you have faith in Him, you can conquer your dieting problems, anger issues, drinking, drugs, et al. Fight satan on your own and you will lose every time

Ephesians 6:10
Finally my brethren, be strong
in the Lord and in the power of His
might.
Put on the whole armor of God
that you might be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.