In the animal kingdom, it is almost always the weakest in the herd who succumbs to the attack. While those who are the strongest escape safely time and time again. The strong may have some close calls and near misses but it is rare that a predator, such as a lion, is able to overtake the leaders of the pack. Especially when there are so many weaker animals trailing behind that become nothing more than easy pickings. A parallel can be drawn between a herd under the attack of a predator and the church under attack by the devil. Scripture even refers to satan as a lion seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Just as a whole herd is under attack but only the strongest are able to escape the same is true for the church. It may feel as though you are the only one being attacked. But the truth is the whole church is constantly under attack by satan and it is only those whose faith is strong that are able to escape. Seemly untouched or even affected by the attack. While those who are weak in faith will sadly often find themselves caught in sin once again or walking away bruised and battered.
Another great way to look at this is in the parable Jesus taught about the farmer sowing seed. Deep roots are a sign of a strong tree. Only those with the deepest roots will be able to survive any circumstance. As our faith gets stronger our roots grow deeper into God enabling us to make it through even the enemy’s strongest attacks. While those with weak faith or shallow to no roots will struggle to overcome even the slightest attack.
Matthew 13:19–23 (ESV)
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Strong faith is not something that some have while others must simply suffer from weak faith. Just like anything else if you want to become strong in faith you must put in the hard work. Paul compared our faith to exercise multiple times and even spoke of training once self. If we want to have a strong faith and be able to escape any attack of the devil then we must do just that. We must work out our faith and train daily to gain the strength needed to overcome.
1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV)
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV)
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (ESV)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
As Christians, we need to become stronger in God’s word, prayer, praise, and living a godly life. How do we become stronger in these areas? By constant repetition. Someone who wants stronger legs does not do one squat and expects to be stronger. They repeat the exercise time and time again and eventually notice their strength increase.
If you want to get stronger in prayer, study, worship, and righteous living then keep doing those very things daily. Then over time as you continually work on those areas you will notice yourself getting stronger in each. Causing your overall faith to be strengthened. Enabling you to escape the next attack quicker and easier than you could have previously.
The hope is that the whole church would come to have such strong faith that they can all overcome together. That there is not a weak member for the enemy to overcome. Causing the herd to no longer fear the predator but for the predator to fear the herd. Yet new members are added daily and strong faith takes time to grow. So the youngest becomes the most vulnerable to attack. But the stronger our faith is the more able we are to protect them.
Jude 22–23 (ESV)
And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
James 5:19–20 (ESV)
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Romans 15:1–2 (ESV)
15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
It is also important to note that just as muscle begins to deteriorate when not exercised our faith will do the same. If we stop trying to strengthen our faith all our gains will be lost and we will once again become weak. The devil never stops his attacks and we should never stop gaining the strength needed to stand against him.
Luke 4:13 (ESV)
13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Working to have stronger faith does mean you are preparing to fight battles on your own. Really it does not indicate that you will fight at all. Strong faith means a strong belief and trust in the Lord God Almighty. The one who fights your battles will never leave you, gives you a way out of temptation, works all things for your good, and loves you. As you become stronger in faith your trust in these very things, as well as the countless other attributes of God, grows.
Exodus 14:14 (ESV)
14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Romans 8:31 (ESV)
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 34:17 (ESV)
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
1 John 4:16 (ESV)
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Strong faith results in a strong reliance on God and not yourself. Having strong faith enables you to overcome any attack not because you are strong enough to fight. But because you know that the one who lives in you is stronger than he who lives in the world. By working to strengthen your faith you learn to not rely on any strength you possess to save you but that of God. You learn to trust more and more in His might daily and know that you are never facing any attack alone.
1 John 4:4 (ESV)
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Strive to be among the strongest in the faith. Be one of those in the church ready to weather any storm and protect those who’s faith is weaker when attacks come. Every Christian is under attack by the devil but it is those with weak faith that will fall first. Know that you don’t have to settle for weak faith. You have every opportunity to become a mighty warrior in the faith if you will only put in the work.
Make the decision today to strengthen your faith. Dedicate time daily to pray, study, worship, and to live out God’s word. The more time spent in each of these areas the stronger you will become in them and the stronger your overall faith will become. Then you will be ready to stand strong on God’s truth relying not on your strength alone but His might strength the next time the enemy attacks.
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