In 1 Peter chapter 5 these words are written, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” 

Notice that in both cases we are called to stand firm. In almost 35 years of ministry, I have encountered evil many times, in many forms. I have seen people controlled by evil spirits, paranormal activity and things that don’t seem to have an earthly explanation. Unlike other individuals who go around seeking out encounters with spirits or claiming to do exorcisms, my encounters always happened in the normal course of doing ministry.

Instead of rebuking the enemy or seeking a “power encounter”, I have learned simply to stand firm and in doing so, the enemy has to retreat. I call on my Heavenly Father to give me the strength to endure and to stand firm while also calling on my Lord and Master Jesus to deal with the evil in front of me. Could I rebuke the unclean spirits in my authority as a Child of God? Yes. But I can also appeal to my Lord who is always with me. Now, if He says, “I will let you del with this one”, so be it. Until then, I will resist the evil, pray to the Lord to overcome my enemy and continue to stand firm in the face of all dangers.

Simply having the strength to stand firm in the face of terrible evil is difficult. It is overpowering, full of depravity and uncleanness. It is emotionally taxing, especially for those of us who are empathetic in nature. It is frightening when facing non-mortal entities and experiencing some of their power. Standing firm takes a lot of spiritual strength.

Ephesians 6 goes on to say, “¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Three times here we are told to stand. We prepare by putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the gospel of peace. All this, just to stand firm. James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. We don’t have to attack him, we just have to resist, to stand firm, and like a strong seawall, his waves of attack will break against us and fail, leaving him no choice but to retreat.

We don’t roll over, freeze up or cower in fear – we stand. We also do not go seeking trouble, challenging what we don’t fully understand, but we stand firm in the truth. We stand firm in presenting the gospel, we stand firm in discipling the nations, we stand firm in advocating for morality, decency and peace. We don’t abdicate our responsibility. We keep our eyes on Jesus and stand in Him alone. He is our Shield and Defender. He is our Rock in whom we trust. Who shall we fear, knowing the Lord is for us.

Be encouraged, then, when the enemy reveals himself and you encounter evil. Stand firm in the strength of the Lord and watch the enemy retreat.