“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

 

We are challenged by Paul to always be on watch and on guard, not living sleepy, lazy, or distracted. We have to be on guard against Satan, Self (our sinful desires), and Sinful patterns and temptations of this world. 

How are we to be on guard? By standing firm in the faith.This means to be immovable in what you know is true, following after the revealed will of God, and not giving it all up for the ways of the world. This is not the only warning and charge to Christians to stand firm, it is woven all throughout the Bible.

Isaiah 7:9, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

Luke 21:19, “Stand firm, and you will win life.”

Mark 13:13, “Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Stand firm and you will win life? You will be saved? Clearly, standing firm matters a very great deal! For you and I to have what it takes to stand firm against the temptations of the world and the attacks of the enemy, we have to abide deeply: spending time in God’s presence, meditating on the Word of God day and night, persisting in prayer, and worshiping him with joy and gratitude. Without abiding, Scripture tells us we can do nothing. 

Paul doesn’t just stop at the cautioning “keep watch and stand firm.” He then goes on to charge us to, “Be strong. Be Courageous.”

Where do you need courage? What are you most afraid of? I know I can have quite a long list.. Fear cripples us, robs us, and it almost always leaves me with that nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach. Fear can keep us from relationships, careers, successes, and dreams. It has the power to prevent us from living the life we desire.

But Paul commands us to “be strong and courageous,” he doesn’t suggest it. It is a command to walk in. Not a feeling to follow or option to choose. But how are we supposed to be strong and courageous no matter what we face? The truth: you don’t have what it takes to stand firm or be strong on your own--and neither do I.

When we choose to follow Jesus and give him our whole heart, we become one with him—body, soul, and spirit. The strength to overcome isn’t from you or by you, but rather comes from God’s Spirit inside you. We can find the courage we need in our relationship with God and his Spirit within us. He promises never to leave or forsake us, and that should make us brave and give us hope! 

Knowing this Truth has instilled a courage in me that I didn’t have before I started intimately following Jesus. Now, knowing who I am and whose I am, I fear God and not man, and am able to walk through life with steadfastness and stay true to what and who I know no matter what comes my way!  

 

Written by Madi Prewett Troutt

Madi is the host of the podcast Stay True as well as the author of "Made for This Moment" and "The Love Everybody Wants."