Resistance
@gnatsmom (2371)
April 19, 2024 11:06am CST
As with many words, the word resistance comes with many definitions, depending on its context. Those definitions range from: a force that opposes a particular motion, underground organization wrestling against a current occupation, an organism fighting against the onset of a disease, cells or tissues refusing to respond to drugs or treatments in the desired way, rebellion, standing against authority, etc.
Upon first hearing the word arise in conversation, it often evokes negative feelings. We, automatically, assume the negative. This is often a result of one's worldview. However, resistance can be a good thing.
I believe our world is in a complete mess and downward spiral because we will not stand in resistance unholy philosophies and agendas. This is, especially, true for Christians. We will not stand against the sin condemned in God's Word. We will not stand against the violence being perpetrated by evil men. We will not stand against the hypocrisy and sinful lifestyles that have taken root in our churches. We will not even speak against those things because we don't want to hurt feelings or make waves or be labeled as difficult (among other labels).
We, as believers, better learn to stand up and speak out. God's Word says it best:
James 4:7 "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
I Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
II Corinthians 10: 4-5 “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.”
Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
The only hope for saving America and the world is a return to holiness.
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1 response
@sabtraversa (13004)
• Italy
19 Apr
Thanks for your insights! I see resistance as the opposite of surrender, it all depends on what you're resisting and what you're surrendering to. Very few fights are worth fighting, and the spiritual warfare that mostly happens inwards is definitely one of them. We are our worst enemies when we accept evil or surrender to evil. Maybe we can't make much of a difference in the "world", especially on an individual level, but we can always do better when it comes to our own thoughts, words and actions. 
@gnatsmom (2371)
•
19 Apr
"the opposite of surrender"- I love that definition.
Yes, sometimes we are our own worst enemies. One of my daughters often says, "You can's abuse me. I abuse myself. I'm and overthinker". I tell her that is how the devil keeps us useless and from experiencing the joy of the Lord. I know because I have been there.
Spiritual warfare begins in our minds. God knows that and gives us instructions on how to combat this. Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
You are right. making a difference starts in our own hearts and minds. Thank you for your comment.
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