We either believe in the truth of God’s unfailing eternal Word or the lies and deception of the father of lies, the devil, who has been a liar from the beginning. In him there is no truth (John 8:44). There is no middle ground; we cannot be lukewarm in this spiritual battle against spiritual forces of wickedness and dark powers of this evil world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and the powers of this dark world (Ephesians 6:12).Therefore, we need to put on God’s full armour each day to extinguish every flaming arrow of the evil one (Ephesians 6:11, 16).
We are called to humble ourselves daily under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6), to persevere and endure in all our afflictions and troubles, and to wait patiently in hope, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). And the God of all grace will himself restore us, make us strong, firm, and steadfast in his unfailing love for us in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 5:10).
As believers, we are called to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4), standing firm in faith and putting our hope in God’s unfailing Word that can never fail (Isaiah 55:11). Otherwise, we fall into the lies, deception, and illusions of the devil, who has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
But God sent his Son from heaven to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). Therefore, as believers in Christ, we must not fall for the lies and deception of the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
The devil’s purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But we are called as believers in Christ to be on guard, sober-minded, and alert in both mind and heart, putting on the full armour of God every day so that we may stand firm in faith and resist the deceitful schemes of the evil one (Ephesians 6:13).
We wait patiently for the day of the Lord’s second coming, which is near (James 5:7–8). Until then, we must do all we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to keep standing on God’s Word that never fails. For it is written: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).