Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
There are stand your ground laws across the United States of America, where persons have been given authority to stand their ground when they’re facing imminent danger. If threatened, persons could use guns to stop any potential attackers, before they are assaulted.
We are living in an increasingly dangerous world in which human life isn’t valued as it should be and for this reason, persons have armed themselves to the tooth, to protect themselves and their families.
The Christian will be facing even more dangerous foes, of the invisible kind, and there are going to be multiple instances where the Christian will have to stand his or her ground.
Thus, we should be aware of the ways, and means used by devils, to try to force their way upon us, so as to make us walk contrary to a Thus saith The Lord and thereby, not only imperil our lives, but also our very souls for eternity.
As a general rule, the use of force by devils is often the method of last resort, only employed after many other devices have been tried, and failed. One of his main methods used is that of flattery, by which he’ll seek to destabilize the soul, using pleasant words of praise.
This often goes to the person’s head, and before you know it, they become dizzy with flattery, and often go on to deny Christ in word and deed. But the devil also deals in heckling, by which he may try to make the Christian feel bad, especially if the popular, and the majority get involved and are arrayed against us.
The Christian therefore, will have to learn to stand his ground, “with his face to the foe” not backing down for a moment or in any degree, lest he be run over by man’s nemesis. Thus, anyone who is prone to buckle under flattery, or heckling, should be on guard, for both strategies will be drawn upon from satan’s arsenal.
Aaron was a man of pliant character, who often was found buckling under pressure; a man, whose mild mannerisms and gentle demeanor often caused him to say, and do things that should never have been said or done. And without a doubt, Aaron was the crowd’s favorite, when contrasted with his brother Moses.
Being the ordained high priest, it was fitting for him to be gentle, but firmness, gentleness and courtesy can and must always come wrapped up in a bundle in the Christian, so that the one would support the other, or otherwise offset the other when due.
For instance, if the devil were to come to you using flattery through some human agent, you should say no, in a courteous manner. No need to shout, or to make a brawl, for no should be a firm no, regardless of one’s demeanor. As Christians, we can stand our ground in a Christlike manner, without becoming all riled up.
But if flattery and praise do not work, devils will try another tactic, by trying to heckle the Christian into submission. Some persons are quite good at dealing courteously with flattery, but when the fiery darts of heckling, gossip, and character assassination are to hurled at us, some Christians blow a fuse.
Such was the case with Peter, who could not stand the thought of being linked with an unpopular Jesus and as satan got wind of it, he turned up the heat of the furnace several notches until in a fit of anger, he blew a fuse. Multiple rounds were fired by satan for he a careful observer, and saw that Peter courted a penchant for popularity.
Thus, as Christ was humiliated, and handcuffed in the public square, Peter sought to distance himself from Christ somewhat for he feared an association with Jesus, would draw him into an uncomfortable position, in the eyes of the popular majority. And as satan studied his tendency, he went to work, using agents to cause Peter’s fall.
The true soldier of the cross in our day must be very careful of aligning himself / herself with the popular, for when it comes down to the wire, they could turn and rend you, like they did with Christ. When Jesus was healing all the diseases of the people, and was providing M.R.E s, He was no doubt the favorite and the disciples pressed closely about Him, seeking the seat closest to Him.
But when the tide of popularity turned negative and following Jesus became a liability, the disciples were at a loss as to how they should deal with these new unfavorable ratings. As it is currently, it doesn’t cost us here in America, anything, or very little, to follow Christ, that is why any, and everyone can claim to be a Christian, without fear of retribution, and heckling and scorn.
But all of that is about to change, and when it does, we hope the lessons from Peter’s experience would have done its work already, so that, we too may be able to stand our ground, courteously, yet firmly. In the following passages, and excerpts, let us find out what exactly the devil was observing, as pertains to Peter. Let’s read:
Matthew 27:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Previously there was a strife amongst them, as to who should be the greatest, and when Jesus was transfigured to His glory, on the mount, Peter then offered to build three tabernacles, for he was beside himself with joy, wonder and admiration.
Again, when there was a storm on the lake that had threatened their existence, Peter was the one who had asked Jesus to walk on water, and as he did so, he looked back on his fellows as one being blessed and highly favored. Satan observes all this, but now, with Jesus in handcuffs, and potentially headed to jail, Peter follows at a distance. Let’s read:
[The Desire of Ages pp 710] After deserting their Master in the garden, two of the disciples had ventured to follow, at a distance, the mob that had Jesus in charge. These disciples were Peter and John.
The disciple John, upon entering the judgment hall, did not try to conceal the fact that he was a follower of Jesus. He did not mingle with the rough company who were reviling his Master.
He was not questioned, for he did not assume a false character, and thus lay himself liable to suspicion. He sought a retired corner secure from the notice of the mob, but as near Jesus as it was possible for him to be. A company drew about the fire, and Peter presumptuously took his place with them.
He did not wish to be recognized as a disciple of Jesus. By mingling carelessly with the crowd, he hoped to be taken for one of those who had brought Jesus to the hall.
These are two completely different approaches to the same situation, one, where John is not ashamed of the Gospel, or of Christ, the other, in which Peter is ashamed of being associated with the Gospel’s Author.
In our day, some preachers are ashamed or afraid of the gospel for this generation, for to preach present truth is like walking on pins and needles. Therefore, rather than be singled out by satan for some of the same assaults from human agents, some preachers avoid the hot button issues, or sensitive topics like gay marriage and weed.
The marriage institution is like a house on fire, and burning down, yet for some strange reason, some of the contemporary preachers seem to dance around the issue, fearing to stand up, and take a stand for the right lest what recently happened to the United Methodist Church, happens to their congregations. Let’s read:
CNN Nov. 29 261 Georgia congregations leave the United Methodist Church over a divide on LGBTQ issues.
The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church voted Saturday to accept the decision of 261 congregations to leave the denomination over a divide on LGBTQ issues.
The churches are breaking from the UMC after a 2019 decision by the national United Methodist Church to allow congregations to leave by the end of 2023, “for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”
As of early August 2023, over 6,000 congregations of just over 30,000 in the United States have been approved for disaffiliation since 2019, according to the UMC’s website. Their exit marked a “solemn day,” the North Georgia Conference of the UMC said in a news release.
And we as Seventh Day Adventists are not to think, or consider ourselves as being insulated from these issues, for the waves of change are already lapping at our doorsteps. In other words, sooner or later we will have to confront the issue head on, and will be asked to make a statement of clarity, as to which side of the fence we stand.
Some, in order to avoid conflicts, backlash and the infamous financial persecution, vainly endeavor to thread both needles, if haply there might be some lengthening of our tranquility.
By so doing, some are actually following in Peter’s footsteps by following Jesus “Afar off”. The Christian in our day must stand his ground, by taking a public stand for present truth, even if it triggers economic boycotts, or even if congregations may have to split up because of irreconcilable issues. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 88] The early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deportment and unswerving faith were a continual reproof that disturbed the sinner's peace. Though few in numbers, without wealth, position, or honorary titles, they were a terror to evil-doers wherever their character and doctrines were known.
They felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness then let there be difference, and even war.
Then, after folks decide not to associate themselves too closely with the gospel or with Christ’s kingdom, because the truth has become very unpopular, the very next step is to go in, and sit with the mob, just like Peter did, so as to hide one’s convictions under the proverbial bushel, lest the truth in the matters be known. And satan observes all this.
Therefore, by sitting in the seat of the scornful, one places himself on satan’s enchanted ground, and he will certainly buckle under pressure, when the heat of the furnace is turned up several notches, because all of the preliminary steps in denying Christ and the gospel have already been taken.
In other words, the Christian who only follows Jesus when it is convenient and pleasant to do so, will not be able to stand his ground in times of real peril, for a pattern of choosing the path of least resistance is established, and unless there is a radical change in one’s mode of thought and action, the observations made by satan will bear fruit in denial of Christ. Let’s read:
Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat outside in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, you also were with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
This first assault shook Peter out of his comfort zone initially, but he had time to regroup, if he so chose. But once, having set his feet in a downward path by avoiding shame for Christ’s name, it is only a matter of time before the devil will open fire again.
This second time around the maid will not make the heckling accusation in any quiet manner, between herself and Peter; instead, the devil gives her a bull horn to ask the disturbing question, over the public address system. Let’s read:
Matthew 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Just as Jesus was tempted three times in the desert, just so Peter is being tempted three times, but this third time, the devil is going for the jugular, not by merely asking Peter a question, but by confirming in public, what Peter really prefers to keep quiet. The devil then goes to the sound room, and tells the sound engineer to turn up the volume to its loudest so that everyone could hear. Let’s read:
Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, certainly, you are one of them; for thy speech betrays thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Multiple rounds were fired by satan, because he is a relentless foe, and therefore, if we intend to live and conquer as Jesus did, we must be reconciled to the fact that we might be the target of multiple assaults from the enemy of souls, some by flattery and some by heckling, among other devices.
Jesus suffered his first three bouts in the wilderness, back-to-back, as did Job, and many other heroes of faith who have gone before, but in all and through it all Jesus stood His ground albeit courteously, quietly and very firmly.
The love of praise, and the love of popularity will in many cases prove the ruin of some, who have never become accustomed to swimming upstream with Christ. One day soon it will be very unpopular to be a Christian, let alone a Seventh Day Adventist, in the true meaning of the name.
Therefore, the time is now and the place is here in which we must never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, and if we are really convicted of this truth in our hearts, we are to stand up and be counted as such, on the job, at the grocery, at the gym, or wherever we may be, so that satan wouldn’t observe what he once did in Peter.
Thus, with some historical context at our back. Let’s go into the Bible study for this afternoon, namely:
How To Stand Your Ground.
Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what is become of him.
Aaron was a man of pleasant and gentle mien, both characteristics that are essential to a high priest. In this instance, the multitude clamored for something that both Aaron and themselves knew were wrong, and being vested with authority as high priest, the onus was on him, to take the lead in tamping down, that which was clearly out of line with God’s will.
But, like as it was with Peter, the devil observed that Aaron was pliable, for he loved, and often preferred the easier way of doing things and rather than come out of his tents, with his guns blazing with a definite no, he begins to reason and negotiate with them.
As Christians, we are to maintain decorum, and the truth need not spoken in fits of anger. Yet, when it comes time to stand up for right there must be no negotiation whatsoever, for if, and when persons do enter into negotiations with satan, he will absolutely win the day every time.
In fact, it was this singular disposition of preferring to choose the path of least resistance that led Aaron to overlook serious faults in his own sons, for rather than correct them, when correction was due, he let things slide, in order to remain in their favor.
When Christians choose to take the path of least resistance, when there is confrontation between truth and error, they will be bulldozed by devils, for the mob mentality will be invoked and the wavering pliable Christian, will be overwhelmed with the firm, unrelenting dispositions of the popular majorities. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 316] In the absence of Moses, the judicial authority had been delegated to Aaron, and a vast crowd gathered about his tent, with the demand, “Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”
The cloud, they said, that had heretofore led them, now rested permanently upon the mount; it would no longer direct their travels. They must have an image in its place; and if, as had been suggested, they should decide to return to Egypt, they would find favor with the Egyptians by bearing this image before them and acknowledging it as their god.
Such a crisis demanded a man of firmness, decision, and unflinching courage; one who held the honor of God above popular favor, personal safety, or life itself. But the present leader of Israel was not of this character. Aaron feebly remonstrated with the people, but his wavering and timidity at the critical moment only rendered them the more determined. The tumult increased. A blind, unreasoning frenzy seemed to take possession of the multitude.
There were some who remained true to their covenant with God, but the greater part of the people joined in the apostasy. A few who ventured to denounce the proposed image making as idolatry, were set upon and roughly treated, and in the confusion and excitement they finally lost their lives. Aaron feared for his own safety; and instead of nobly standing up for the honor of God, he yielded to the demands of the multitude.
In the final conflict between good and evil, it is not a guarantee that all who would stand up for right will not lose their lives. God has promised to protect us, but this will be according to His will, and discretion. Others may not fare so well as to pass through the ordeal unscathed.
In Aaron’s case, he went a step further in the pursuit of favoritism, by announcing that there would be a feast to the Lord on the following day. The people had not asked for this, but Aaron, seeing the favor with which the newly formed idol was received, he went a step further and made the announcement for the following day.
Thus, by not standing his ground initially, he opened the door to a slippery slope, and the great observer that satan is, made the most of the situation, to the detriment of many thousands. Le’s read:
Exodus 32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 317] A religion that permits men, while observing the rites of worship, to devote themselves to selfish or sensual gratification, is as pleasing to the multitudes now as in the days of Israel. And there are still pliant Aarons, who, while holding positions of authority in the church, will yield to the desires of the unconsecrated, and thus encourage them in sin.
The question we have to answer for ourselves, in lieu of what we have studied, is “How can I stand my ground, when my turn comes?
First, we will need the presence and power of Christ in the heart in order for us to do so. Persons might have the will, but the motive power to stand firm is from God alone. Having said that, the Christian will have some definite things to do, so as to cooperate with The Holy Ghost in standing firm. Let’s read:
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
For instance, if some young man in the church or at the job is harassing you, by trying to cozy up to you against your will and against your conscience, there are two ways to stand your ground by saying no.
The first way is to say a gentle stop, even while you may be smiling and grinning from ear to ear. Guess what, he will never stop, for he will rightly conclude that if he were to push the envelope a little further, you might buckle under pressure.
In fact, the dude will most likely interpret that type of gentle, loving “stop” in that loving, sensual voice to be an actual invitation to continue his forays into your private space. And he absolutely will. This is the kind of gentle “Stop” Aaron had used with the multitude and they continued to push him over the brink.
But if you were to say a very firm no, with your eyes bulging in anger, disgust, and righteous indignation, he will get the message loud and clear, and before long he will put his tail between his legs, and go his merry way. Let’s read:
[Testimonies Vol. 5 pp 595] Men who are doing God's work and who have Christ abiding in their hearts will not lower the standard of morality, but will ever seek to elevate it. They will not find pleasure in the flattery of women or in being petted by them.
Let men, both single and married, say: “Hands off! I will never give the least occasion that my good should be evil spoken of. My good name is capital of far more value to me than gold or silver. Let me preserve it untarnished.
Again, when it’s time to stand your ground on those occasions of social drinking, the Christian must not be pliable. If alcohol is being served on some festive occasion, and the Christian is prompted to indulge, for the sake of friendship, let a clearcut answer be given in favor of the truth, and the prompters will in most cases be reconciled to your firm principles.
Standing your ground also pertains to issues on the proper observance of the Sabbath, for there will be times when pressure will be brought against those who choose to honor God, by keeping holy the 7th day of the week.
When employers might need work done urgently, they may attempt to get the Christian to violate his or her conscience, by working on the sacred hours just this once.
And it may seem unreasonable if the Christian in question doesn’t buckle under the load of pressure. The Christian in such circumstances must be able to stand their ground, and leave the results in God’s hands.
Every year when daylight saving time comes around, and the hours are shortened there’s always that one thing that has to get done, or else. What we have all discovered over the years is that there can never be enough hours in the working day.
If the sun were to set at midnight, some will still be found rushing at the last minute to enter into God’s haven of rest and therefore whether it be six O’clock or 12:00 midnight when the sun sets the law of God doesn’t change. If one is threatened with firing for not working on the sacred hours, the results should be left in God’s hands.
And there are tools and remedies available through our own network, to try and mitigate such instances if the saint in question decides to go that route.
But persons must be aware that the secular and the religious world will become more antagonistic to the Sabbath of the4th commandment and therefore if currently we may experience push back on this issue, we are to view it as practice for the big one.
In learning to stand your ground on all matters that pertain to conscience, The Lord often gives us baby steps, beginning with the little things, and then the larger issues, if we will learn to be strong, trusting in God every step of the way.
Disciple and discipline are words that come from the same root, and if the three Hebrew boys had buckled under pressure on the issue of food, they could not stand their ground on the more important issue of worship.
Similarly, if we fail in taking baby steps on the issue of diets and foods, we may be steamrolled when the issue of worship surfaces, which it is scheduled to in the not-too distant future. Therefore, faithfulness in little things would pave the way for us to stand our ground on more consequential issues, for he that is faithful in that which is least, will also be faithful in much.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will enable us to stand our ground, not with carnal weapons, but with those that are given in the Bible, for without them, failure is not a matter of if, but when. Let’s read:
Ephesians 6: 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
God Bless!