How To Stand Firm In Faith When Under Attack: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
Introduction: The Reality of Spiritual Attack
As Messianic Jewish believers, we are not immune to spiritual attack. In fact, the enemy targets those who seek to live according to God’s Word, who believe in Yeshua as the Messiah, and who stand firm in the promises of Israel’s redemption. Spiritual warfare is a very real battle, and in the face of adversity, it is crucial to know how to stand firm in faith, no matter what. Whether the attack comes in the form of persecution, temptation, fear, doubt, or physical and emotional hardship, the key to victory lies in our ability to stand firm on the promises of God, to trust in His strength, and to rely on His Word, His Spirit, and the blood of Yeshua.
In this chapter, we will explore how Messianic believers can stand firm in faith when under attack by looking to the timeless truths of Torah law, the power of Yeshua’s blood, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and key passages from the Tanakh. By understanding how these elements work together, we will learn how to endure the trials and emerge victorious in spiritual warfare.
1. Rooting Ourselves in Torah Law
One of the most powerful ways to stand firm in faith when under attack is to ground ourselves in the Word of God. Torah law, which reveals the character and will of God, is the foundation upon which Messianic believers stand. When the enemy tries to shake our faith or cause doubt to arise, the commandments and teachings of the Torah act as a firm foundation, giving us the courage to resist temptation and stand strong.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Moses tells the people of Israel to keep God’s Word close to their hearts, teach it to their children, and speak it continuously:
> "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hands, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8)
In the midst of attack, God’s Word must be so deeply ingrained in our hearts that it automatically rises to the surface when we face trials. The Torah reveals the faithfulness of God, His righteousness, and His commands, offering us strength to endure hardship. The same Word that established the heavens and the earth is the same Word that empowers us to stand firm.
When the enemy comes against us, it is the understanding of Torah and the practice of its commandments that keep us rooted. Just as the Israelites were commanded to remember the commandments of God and meditate on them day and night, we too must continuously renew our minds with God’s Word.
2. The Power of Yeshua’s Blood
In times of attack, we must also rely on the blood of Yeshua, the ultimate sacrifice that grants us victory over the enemy. His blood was shed not only for our redemption but also for our protection. It is the power of His blood that disarms the powers of darkness and ensures that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
The blood of Yeshua is our victory and our covering. When we are under spiritual attack, we proclaim His blood over our lives, our families, and our circumstances. This act of declaring the blood of Yeshua is an act of spiritual warfare, reminding the enemy that his power has been defeated. The enemy may try to accuse, intimidate, or threaten us, but when we invoke the name of Yeshua and the power of His blood, we remind him that the victory has already been won.
In Exodus 12:13, when the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of the lamb, God declared:
> "The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." (Exodus 12:13)
Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected the Israelites from judgment, so too the blood of Yeshua protects us from the attacks of the enemy. When we plead the blood of Yeshua, we are declaring that we are under His protection, and the enemy has no legal claim over us.
3. Relying on the Holy Spirit for Strength
Another essential aspect of standing firm in faith during spiritual warfare is to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength, wisdom, and guidance. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist the devil, renews our minds, and equips us to endure suffering. When we face trials, it is the Spirit who helps us stand firm, comforts us in times of grief, and reminds us of God’s promises.
In the Tanakh, God promises to send His Spirit to His people to enable them to walk in His ways and to give them the strength to persevere:
> "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." (Ezekiel 36:27)
The Holy Spirit is our helper, sent to guide and strengthen us as we face spiritual battles. In the midst of the enemy’s attacks, we can call upon the Holy Spirit to empower us, to fill us with peace, and to provide the wisdom we need to navigate the trials we face.
When we face trials, we can ask the Holy Spirit to bring the right Scriptures to mind, to fill us with courage, and to remind us of God's faithfulness. The Spirit’s presence in our lives is a guarantee that we are never alone in the battle. His strength is made perfect in our weakness, enabling us to stand firm even when we feel overwhelmed.
4. Trusting in God’s Protection and Promises
Throughout the Tanakh, God consistently promises to be with His people, to protect them, and to deliver them from harm. We can stand firm in faith because we know that God is faithful to His promises. In times of attack, we must remember that God is our shield, our fortress, and our deliverer.
In Psalm 91, the psalmist declares:
> "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Psalm 91:1-2)
This promise is for all of God’s people, including Messianic believers. When we trust in God’s protection, we stand firm against the enemy’s attacks, knowing that He is our refuge. Just as the Israelites were protected during their exodus from Egypt, so too we can trust that God will shield us from harm.
God also promises to fight on our behalf. In the book of Isaiah, God declares:
> "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)
This promise is particularly significant when facing persecution or spiritual attack. God Himself holds our hand and assures us that we do not need to fear. He will help us stand firm and deliver us from every attack of the enemy.
5. Standing in Faith: A Call to Action
To stand firm in faith when under attack requires more than passive belief; it requires active trust in God’s Word, in the power of Yeshua’s blood, and in the strength of the Holy Spirit. It also requires perseverance. In the book of Isaiah, we are called to wait on the Lord:
> "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
When we stand firm, we may experience weariness, but God promises to renew our strength. It is in those moments of trial that our faith grows stronger. By continually seeking God’s Word, applying His promises to our lives, and relying on His strength, we can stand firm in the face of any attack.
Conclusion: The Victory Is Ours
As Messianic believers, we can stand firm in the face of spiritual attack because we are not standing in our own strength, but in the power of God’s Word, the blood of Yeshua, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The enemy will come against us, but we can be confident that God has already won the victory. By holding fast to God’s promises, proclaiming the power of Yeshua’s blood, and relying on the Holy Spirit, we can endure every attack and emerge victorious.
As the psalmist declares in Psalm 27:1:
> "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)
When we stand firm in faith, we can confidently declare that the battle is the Lord's, and in Him, we will find the strength to resist the enemy and overcome.
