If You Don t Stand for Something, You ll Fall for Anything-

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1 Pause: Take a Stand Psalm 144:1 (KJV ) Blessed be the LORD my strength, war, And my fingers to fight: Which teacheth my hands to 2 Corinthians 10:3 4 (KJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) If You Don t Stand for Something, You ll Fall for Anything- A Fact of Life- No matter where or who you are- we are all going to have battles. Battles within us, battles with our spouses, battle with our families, battles with work, battles in school. Battles can show up at the Mall, at Publix, on the highway, at the park. Confrontation looms all around us! 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) Dear friends, don t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT) Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Your Enemy- 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. Ephesians 2:2 (NLT) You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NLT) But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Revelation 11:15 (NLT) Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. I m Victorious- Romans 8:35 37 (NLT) Can anything ever separate us from Christ s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep. ) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Stay Strong- Ephesians 6:10 (NLT ) A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Take a Stand- Ephesians 6:11-12 (KJV) Put on the whole armour 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. Armor Up- Ephesians 6:13 (KJV) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. James 4:7 (NLT) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1. The Belt of Truth- Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; While the belt would be last described when looking at the solider it is the first by the Holy Spirit. If describing the way someone is dressed, you wouldn't start with the belt. A. Truth Hold it All Together- John 1:14 (KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

3 John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. B. Truth Equals Freedom- John 8:31 32 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. C. The Loins Represent my Reproductive Ability - John 15:5 (KJV) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 2. The Breastplate of Righteousness - Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; A. Positional: Romans 3:24 (NLT) Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Obtained by Belief- Romans 10:9 10 (NLT) If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. B. Actionable - Romans 6:19 (NLT) Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. C. Guards Your Heart- Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

4 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 3. The Shoes of the Gospel- Ephesians 6:15 (KJV) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; A. Barefoot to Shod- Exodus 3:5 (NLT) Do not come any closer, the LORD warned. Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. B. Carriers of the Gospel- Romans 10:15 (KJV) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! C. A Sure Footing- Galatians 5:1 (KJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 4. The Shield of Faith- Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. A. Faith Moves Mountains- Mark 11:22 23 (NLT) Then Jesus said to the disciples, Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea, and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. B. Faith Protects Luke 22:31 32 (NLT) Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers. Romans 1:12 (NLT) When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. 5. The Helmet of Salvation- Ephesians 6:17 (KJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: A. Protection of my Authority- Psalm 140:7 (KJV ) O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

5 Psalm 27:6 (KJV) And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. B. Protection of my Mind- 2 Corinthians 10:4 5 (KJV) ( For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ; 6. The Sword of the Spirit- Ephesians 6:17 (KJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: A. A Spoken Word- Romans 10:8 (KJV) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Logos - which speaks to the written word of God Rhema - which is a fresh, specially quickened and reveled word from God. Ephesians 5:19 (KJV) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; B. Separates Flesh and Spirit- Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Matthew 4:4 (KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 7. The Voice of Prayer- Ephesians 6:18 (KJV) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints ; A. Pray Always- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV) Pray without ceasing.

6 Acts 12:5 (KJV) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Close: B. Pray what you know and what you don't- 1 Corinthians 14:15 (KJV) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 2 Timothy 2:3 4 (NLT ) Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.