A Study of Spiritual Warfare - Week 4

Week 4: Standing Firm in Faith

Welcome to Week 4 of your spiritual warfare journey!

You’ve made it to Week 4, and this week we’re going to focus on the crucial role of faith in spiritual warfare. Faith isn’t just a belief we hold—it’s how we stand firm in the face of the enemy’s attacks. Through faith, we resist fear, doubt, and temptation, trusting that God’s power is greater than any force against us. This week, you’ll learn how to deepen your faith and use it as your shield in the spiritual battles you face.

Key Scriptures:

Let’s start with some powerful scriptures that speak about standing firm in faith and resisting the enemy. These passages will lay the foundation for understanding how your faith becomes a shield and source of victory in spiritual warfare.

1. James 4:7 (ESV):

   • “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

   • Reflection: Submission to God is the first step toward resisting the enemy. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been hesitant to fully surrender to God? How might submitting to God strengthen your ability to resist the devil?

2. 1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV):

   • “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

   • Reflection: Faith is not a passive belief but an active fight. How are you fighting the good fight of faith in your life? What areas of your spiritual walk need more persistence or action?

3. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV):

   • “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

   • Reflection: Faith is foundational to your relationship with God. Reflect on how your faith impacts your daily decisions and spiritual walk. Are there areas where your faith is being challenged or needs strengthening?

Faith as a Shield in Spiritual Warfare:

Now that you’ve reflected on those scriptures, let’s explore how faith functions as your shield in the spiritual battles you face. Faith is more than just believing in God’s existence—it’s about trusting His promises and acting on them, even when circumstances are tough.

Tony Evans, in Victory in Spiritual Warfare, explains that faith is “the shield that extinguishes the flaming arrows of the enemy” (Evans). These arrows are the lies, doubts, fears, and temptations the enemy sends your way. But faith acts as a protective barrier, extinguishing those attacks before they can cause harm.

Evans also points out that faith is an active force. He says, “Faith is the practical expression of your confidence in God’s Word” (Evans). This means that faith isn’t just something you believe—it’s something you live out daily. When you trust God’s promises and act on them, you are exercising your faith and standing firm against the enemy’s attacks.

Prayer and Faith:

So how do we strengthen our faith and use it as a shield in spiritual warfare? One of the key ways is through prayer. Prayer not only connects us to God’s power, but it also fuels our faith. As we pray, we declare our trust in God and His promises, which strengthens our ability to stand firm.

E.M. Bounds, in The Necessity of Prayer, writes that “faith and prayer are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other” (Bounds). If you’re struggling with doubts or feeling weak in your faith, the answer is to go deeper in prayer. Prayer builds your confidence in God, reminding you of His promises and His power to overcome any situation.

• Challenge: This week, focus on strengthening your faith through prayer. Ask God to reveal any areas of doubt or fear, and pray specifically for Him to build your faith in those areas.

Practical Steps for This Week:

Here are some practical ways you can live out what you’ve learned about faith this week. These steps will help you strengthen your faith and stand firm in the face of spiritual attacks.

1. Identify Areas of Weak Faith:

   • Take time to reflect on areas in your life where your faith feels weak or shaky. Maybe it’s a specific situation where you’re struggling to trust God, or an area where fear and doubt are creeping in. Write these areas down and commit them to prayer, asking God to strengthen your faith.

2. Use Scripture to Build Faith:

   • Find specific Scriptures that speak to faith and God’s promises. Memorize these verses and use them in prayer whenever you feel your faith being tested. Some great examples include Hebrews 11:1, Romans 10:17, and Ephesians 6:16.

3. Put Your Faith into Action:

   • Faith isn’t just about believing—it’s about doing. Look for opportunities this week to act on your faith. Whether it’s stepping out of your comfort zone, sharing your testimony, or making a tough decision based on God’s Word, take practical steps that demonstrate your trust in God.

Sample Prayer:

Here’s a prayer you can use to help strengthen your faith and stand firm in the spiritual battles you’re facing this week:

“Father, I come to You today, recognizing that my faith is essential in standing firm against the enemy. I submit myself fully to Your will, trusting that You are in control of every situation. Strengthen my faith where it is weak, and help me to live with confidence in Your promises. I resist the enemy in the name of Jesus and declare that my faith will protect me from every lie and attack. Teach me to fight the good fight of faith, relying on Your Word and Your strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Testimony: Peter Walking on Water

Let’s look at a powerful example from the Bible of how faith can help us stand firm, even when we feel overwhelmed. The story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33) is a beautiful illustration of faith and doubt in action.

When Jesus walked on the water toward His disciples, Peter was the only one brave enough to step out of the boat and walk toward Him. With his eyes fixed on Jesus, Peter began to walk on the water. But as soon as Peter looked away and noticed the wind and waves, fear overtook him, and he began to sink.

Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught Peter, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). This story teaches us two important lessons about faith:

1. Faith allows us to do what seems impossible, as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus.

2. When we focus on our circumstances instead of God’s promises, doubt creeps in and causes us to sink.

Like Peter, you may feel overwhelmed by the “waves” in your life—whether it’s fear, doubt, or difficult circumstances. But when you keep your eyes on Jesus and trust in His power, you can walk in victory. What are the “waves” in your life, and how can you fix your eyes on Jesus instead of the challenges around you?

Personalized Reflection & Journaling Prompts:

As you reflect on what you’ve learned about faith this week, take some time to answer these journaling prompts. Writing down your thoughts will help you process what God is revealing to you and track your spiritual growth.

1. Where is my faith being tested?

   • Write down specific areas where you feel your faith is being tested. Is it in a relationship, a financial situation, or a personal struggle? How can you strengthen your faith in those areas by trusting God’s promises?

2. How can I actively resist the enemy’s attacks?

   • Think about the ways the enemy has been attacking you—whether through fear, doubt, or temptation. How can you actively resist these attacks by standing firm in faith? Write down practical steps you will take this week to exercise your faith and resist the enemy.

3. What does Peter’s story teach me about faith?

   • Reflect on Peter’s experience walking on water. Are there “waves” in your life that are distracting you from Jesus? How can you shift your focus back to Him and trust that He will help you stand firm, no matter what you’re facing?

Additional Insights:

Faith is more than just belief—it’s a powerful shield that protects you from the enemy’s attacks. As Tony Evans says, “The key to victory is understanding that your faith is not in your circumstances—it’s in the God who controls them” (Evans).

Standing firm in faith doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges, but it does mean that you are trusting in God’s promises and not being swayed by fear or doubt. The enemy wants to shake your faith, but when you stand firm in prayer and the Word, you can extinguish every “flaming arrow” he sends your way.

Final Thought:

This week, focus on strengthening your faith and standing firm in God’s promises. The enemy will try to attack you with fear, doubt, and discouragement, but as you trust in God’s Word and live out your faith, you will overcome. As Tony Evans says, “Faith doesn’t make things easy, but it makes them possible” (Evans). Keep your eyes on Jesus, and let your faith be your shield in every battle you face.

Bonus Reading:

• Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans: Chapters 5 and 6

• The Necessity of Prayer by E.M. Bounds: Chapter 4

Want to Go Deeper?

Here are some practical steps you can take to go even deeper with faith this week. These steps will help you strengthen your faith, build your trust in God, and stand firm in the battles you face.

1. Daily Faith Declarations:

   • Start each morning by declaring God’s promises over your life. Use Scriptures like Romans 8:37 and Hebrews 11:1 to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness. Speaking these truths out loud will build your faith and help you start the day with confidence.

2. Create a Faith Journal:

   • Keep a journal specifically for building your faith. Write down the promises of God that you’re standing on, and track how He answers your prayers. This journal will serve as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and help you when your faith feels weak.

3. Act on Your Faith:

   • Look for ways to put your faith into action this week. It could be as simple as making a decision that aligns with God’s Word, stepping out of your comfort zone to share your testimony, or trusting God in a difficult situation. Faith is built when we act on it.

4. Fast from Fear and Doubt:

   • Choose a day this week to “fast” from fearful or doubtful thoughts. Every time a negative thought enters your mind, replace it with a Scripture or prayer. For example, when you feel anxious, declare Philippians 4:6-7 over your life and trust God’s peace to guard your heart and mind.

5. Discipler for Faith:

   • Find a mature Christ-follower that you can share your faith journey. Having a discipler who prays with you and encourages you will strengthen your faith, especially during difficult times. Pray for each other regularly and support one another in standing firm.

How is God building your faith this week? Are there areas where you’re still struggling to trust Him? Let me know how I can support you in your journey of standing firm in faith!