Stand Firm

March 29, 2026

Dr. Paul Cannings

“….Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10; NASU – Job was not the exception; he was the rule; Job 1:7-12).

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8; NASU).

This is our daily reality: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

It may seem easier to approach every situation we encounter by relying on our past experiences, education, or advice we receive from others. But does this grow us spiritually, provide wisdom, and shield us from the relentless attacks of Satan? Does our engagement with the world inspire Biblical application? Does our prayer life become more persistent as the challenges we experience intensify?

The answers to these questions reveal whether our approach to what we call “life” is humanistic—guided by reason and logic alone—or whether it is a spiritually dynamic experience where the Holy Spirit matures us (Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:15-21). It begins with a fundamental question: Do we see the person or the situation before us as simply “life,” or as spiritual warfare? According to the Word of God, everything we encounter has a spiritual dimension (Ephesians 6:12).

Peter witnessed everything Christ did on earth, yet he still wondered whether Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah (Matthew 16:14). God had to illuminate Peter’s mind for him to see that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16-17). Peter saw the Roman government and Jewish leaders take Christ to the cross, yet Christ had to personally seek Peter out and restore his heart before Peter could recommit himself to follow Him (Mark 16:9-18; John 21:15-17).

This is why Peter instructs us to approach ‘life’ soberly (1 Peter 1:13; 5:8). If we address our challenges from an earthly perspective, Christ warns that the thorn bushes and rocky soil of life can choke or stunt our spiritual growth (Luke 8:11-15).

In order to accomplish the purpose of our trials (James 1:2-4) and receive the reward promised to those who overcome (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)—after all, we are told that we are overcomers (Romans 8:37; 1 John 4:4)—we must first view our challenges spiritually. We must soberly commit to wearing the armor of God while continually praying (Ephesians 6:10-18).

We must constantly remember that turning to a purely humanistic approach exposes us to being overcome by the devil (Hebrews 10:37-39). Ultimately, it is not who or what we face in this ‘life’ that determines our growth. It is who—Christ—and what—His Word—we choose to apply that determines whether we mature powerfully in our faith or become spiritually disillusioned (John 20:19-23).

‘Christ Alone!’