We should all be a part of the resistance. An organized, cohesive unit poised to take back that which an occupying force has usurped. No one should be sitting on the sidelines as long as this occupying force has a shred of influence in our territory. We have been tasked to confront this force and wield against it such weapons as are suitable for its defeat. 

This enemy force has been usurping and occupying for millennia—sometimes with great success—sometimes suffering great harm. The head of this occupying force has been called the ruler of this world by the Man who caused him the greatest harm of all. Yes, and many have worshiped him, usurper and enemy though he is. 

When We Opposed The Resistance

In fact, I would venture to say, we have all paid him homage in some way or another whether we knew it or not. And this, because of the corruption of our own nature. Also because of the darkness, and deception with which our enemy enshrouds himself. He also comes as an angel of light, convincing us we are doing good by following him. There are all kinds of subtle tricks as old as the ages. Satan and his hordes use these against us, to cause stumbling and unwitting honor to himself. 

But, once the light of Jesus—the One who gave him that big blow two thousand years ago—enters our lives, we begin to see some of the devices by which we were tricked and deceived. And as we read the Word, we discover this command we are under to join—if you will— the resistance.

James 6:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. – ESV 

The Order Of Business In The Resistance

So we are commanded first, to submit ourselves to God. Obviously, the first step in working against satan would be to leave his ranks. Then we join those of his enemy—the ranks of God. And we do that by submitting to God. Once we are submitted to God and are under His protection by the blood of Jesus—then, and only then can we effectively resist the devil.

We need to cleanse our hands as sinners and purify our hearts. There is no use attempting to join the resistance in engaging the enemy as long as our hands are dirty and our hearts are impure. The enemy laughs at us if we come against him in this condition. But if we meet the conditions, mountains begin to move and darkness begins to flee. 

Power In Unity

But why have I implied a group effort in the beginning of this post? It certainly is an individual effort, too, right? It is both, but it is far more effective if done as a group. Sometimes we find ourselves alone in our struggles and that’s okay for a season. But we as a church are called to be united in prayer. This is one of our biggest weapons against the enemy. 

Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. – ESV 

So, we see, there is power in agreeing together in prayer. There is power in the unity of the church of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is why the enemy has sown so many seeds of discord through denominationalism over the years. But God is doing a new thing, in tearing down the walls of denominational division. 

A New Era

What are we going to do with this new movement? Are we going to use it licentiously to pursue our own agendas without judgment from others? Or do we see this as an opportunity to join in greater number, the resistance and the true church of Jesus that is slowly emerging from all the shaking and moving the past few decades have brought?    

I hope more and more people will arise from their slumber to join in the resistance of the very one who has caused their eyes to droop. 

Why Bother?

What is the incentive? After all, good and evil have each been rising and falling, ebbing and flowing since the fall of man. And that, with little permanence for either side, it seems at times. And yet we are called to fight this good fight, with the promise that one day, the Messiah will return, not as a lamb, but as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to finish that which He began and which His saints have carried on in the Spirit. 

Yes, there will come a day when our feeble efforts in the resistance will be rewarded as we watch our Savior finish His work, of bruising the head of the enemy. There will come a day when all things will be made new, and Jesus will set up His Kingdom in Jerusalem, and His enemies will be made His footstool. Then we will reign with Him and we won’t regret a moment of suffering in the resistance.