We don’t relate to the world from a natural perspective anymore.  We’re not enticed and overcome by “the lusts of the flesh, and the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life.”  Oh, we’re tempted, but we’re not overcome.  We may even fail periodically in sin, but sin doesn’t have the dominion over us.  It’s not habitual.  We confess our sin and “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  And then, we go back fighting.  And let me remind you, that the times that we do sin—and we’re not supposed to sin—if you sin.  If.  If.  If.  Not when, but if you sin, you “have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).  Let’s not find ourselves, when we should be at battle, taking our ease like David and looking at Bathsheba.  It was the time that kings went to war (2 Samuel 11:1).  Many of us that have besetting sins and we’re wondering, “Why can’t I get power over this thing?”  You have too much idle time.  You have too much time to think about yourself.  You have too much time to think about this enticement that has had so much power over your life.  If you’re out dodging arrows, you won’t be thinking about those other things.  Let’s get busy about the kingdom.  Let’s get busy about serving others.  You see, this besetting sin that is in your life is all about you serving you.  If we can get about serving others, there won’t be time for you to serve you anymore.  And the next thing you know, you’re free.  Hallelujah!  “Put on the whole armor of God…that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, Stand” (Ephesians 6:11 and 13).  Oh, beloved, stand.  He that endures to the end “shall be saved” (Mark 13:13).  Stand.  Finish in Jesus and you win.

So, when the Apostle is speaking here by the power of the Holy Spirit—remember up in verse 10, as he’s bringing the final truth here, he says in verse 10, “Finally”—here’s the end of the thought.  Here’s the conclusion of the matter.  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord.”  Not strong in yourself.  Or your evaluation of yourself.  Without Him we “can do nothing” (John 15:5).  Well, how do I get strong in the Lord?  “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).  “So, if I abide in him and his word, I can ask what I will?”  Yes.  I’m asking to go out and beat the snot out the devil.  I’m asking God to empower me so I can go out and snatch souls from the hands of the devil.  Like a brand from the fire in these last days.  Remember, “By grace ye are saved” (Ephesians 2:5).  It’s by grace you’re saved.  It’s by your faith in the blood of Jesus; amen?  Just finish this race. 

Put on the armor of God.  The whole armor of God.  “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God,” verse 11, “that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).  So, we realize that our weapons, then, are not carnal.  Carnal weapons have no effect in this spiritual war.  But in fact, these weapons are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).  Withstanding is not defensive; its offensive.  The word withstand is talking about setting out against.  We’re the offense.  When all of this persecution starts, go on the offense.  “Well, what’s our offense?”  Our offense is prayer; amen?  “And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying” (Ephesians 6:17-18); amen?