I Will Not Be Shaken!

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

I've talked to Christians that have felt so defeated by the negative thoughts that take hold in their minds. I've been frustrated by them sometimes, too. Those mental strongholds are tough to defeat, but we most certainly have the power to do so within our grasp. We must depend on God's strength, using the mighty weapons he's given us—like prayer, faith, hope, love, His Word and the Holy Spirit. When we “put on the full armor of God” we can “take our stand against the devil's schemes.” And scheme he does...he “prowls” around, watching and waiting for a vulnerable moment to attack.

I'm most vulnerable when I'm tired and/or have a lot on my plate. In those moments, I let my guard down and take my eyes off of God. Before I know it, I've let the Enemy fill my head with his lies—those all too familiar, negative, self-defeating thoughts. Soon, my doubts, fears and anxiety begin to take over. When I finally discern what's happening, I immediately speak the name of Jesus and ask for His help to redirect my thoughts. I also ask for forgiveness and command the Enemy to “get lost!” 

During a recent attack, I defiantly quoted, “I will NOT be shaken!” He left me alone for a bit. But I knew he'd be back, so I looked up the rest of Psalm 16:8 and announced loudly: “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken!” I had to speak it several times, because sure enough, like the relentless bully he is, he came back to try and pull me away from God again and again. Eventually, I spoke it enough times, and so confidently, that the Enemy fled (see James 4:7). 

I continue to speak Psalm 16:8 each morning, along with a few other verses I like to call my “power verses”. I've found they get my day off to a good start. I figure filling my head with His Truth leaves little room for the Enemy's lies. I have much work to do in filling my head with God's Word—and making sure that it's properly understood and applied. However, my progress has given me a confidence I can't explain. I encourage you also, when you're under attack, to “take a stand” and  confidently exclaim, “I will not be shaken!”

Prayer: Almighty God, forgive us for taking our eyes off of you and believing the lies the Enemy fills our head with. Please give us the discernment to recognize his lies and the courage to “take a stand”. And thank you for the mighty weapons you give us to fight this constant battle. Amen.

Sharon Irvin