Facing The Giants

FIGHTING GIANTS IN OUR LIFE

“Every battle we fight in the flesh is one which was already lost in the spirit”

We as Christians are in a daily war. It's a spiritual war. And we have an enemy. (Ephesians 6:12) says that our struggles are not against human opponents, but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.

Bible Text : 1 Samuel 17:20-58

SIX STEPS IN FIGHTING GIANTS

STEP ONE: Expose/Acknowledge the Giant. Give a name to the enemy who stands in your path.

I Samuel 17:26 “...Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who defies the armies of Israel, the living God?”

Acknowledge there is a struggle/giant.  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".

STEP TWO: Cast Aside Naysayers. Be Careful Who You Listen To.

I Samuel 17:28-29 David's brother, Eliab said “...Why camest thou down hither? With whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.”

David answered: “What have I done? Is there not a cause?”

I Samuel 17:33 Saul said to David “Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou are but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth.”

You've got people who will join in with “the giant” with all the taunting. Be careful of the voices you listen to and the thoughts you entertain. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Cast down, take captive thoughts.

STEP THREE: Create Comparisons. Remember Your Memorials.

I Samuel 17:34-37 “...thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear. The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine.”

God came through for me before. He will do it again. (Rom. 8:31, 37) If God be for us, who can be against us? We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

STEP FOUR: Be Armed with God's Armor

I Samuel 17:38-40 “...And Saul armed David with his armor. David attempted to go. He said to Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them.” And he put them off him. And he put them off him. He took his staff in his hand and chose him five stones out of the brook....and his sling was in his hand. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

STEP FIVE: Speak To the Giant

I Samuel 17:45-46 “...Thou comest to me with a sword and a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand.”

The Bible tells us that if we speak to the mountain (our problem), to be removed, it will be cast into the sea, if we believe. (Mark 11:23)

STEP SIX: Count on God. The Battle is the Lords.

I Samuel 17:47 “...for the Battle is The Lords! He will give you into our hands.”

For the LORD our God is the one who goes with us to fight for us against our enemies to give us victory (Deuteronomy 20:4)

David knew He was not alone. And that the battle was the Lord's battle. He counted on God. He acknowledged the giant, he cast aside the naysayers, he remembered God had helped him before, he was armed with God's armor. He used what God prepared him with. And he spoke to the giant!   

"Sometimes God will place a GOLIATH in your life for you can find the DAVID within you"! 
"And for every GOLIATH, there is a STONE!"

ARMOR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-18

“Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand".

STAND FIRM – BE ON GUARD – DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THE INFLUENCE OF THE ENEMY. HALF THE BATTLE IS RECOGNIZING WE HAVE AN ENEMY LURKING, SEEKING.

1. BELT OF TRUTH – Build armor on Truth to stand firm. We can be confident in battle. Be truthful to ourselves. Truth binds you, surrounds you – ties everything together.

2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – It boxes the enemy out and away from the heart. We are given the righteousness of God. We will make mistakes but God sees us righteous. We must know who we are.

3. FEET SHOD WITH PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE – Forward motion. Advance forward to take back territory the enemy thinks he stole forever. The hobnails on the bottom of shoes gave better traction, kept you well planted in unstable soil. When we become discouraged, we have that peace and hope that keeps us anchored – to keep up upright during our battles.

4. SHIELD OF FAITH – Belief is one thing but faith is belief with feet....in action. You're doing something about what you believe. Faith erects a shield over our life that blocks out and deflects and even distinguishes all the fiery darts of the enemy. Faith is being willing to fall back into the arms of God. When darts of discouragement or insecurities come, we are able to rise up despite them. Fiery darts are used to distract (set something nearby on fire) Resort your attention to it, causing us to lose focus.

5. HELMET OF SALVATION – Our salvation is so much more than a ticket to eternity. Our mind today is not over some distant land, but it's a battle of the mind. Helmet is over the mind blocking the enemies lies that we're not valued, worthy, etc. Protects the knowledge of the security of our salvation. We need to unpack the inheritance, all that comes with our salvation.

6. SWORD OF THE SPIRIT – Living and active Word in us. We must speak the Word to our enemy. It alerts them that we are armed and dangerous. It's a defensive weapon and it belongs to the Spirit. It's not our sword, it's the spirit's sword, He gives a Word in the exact time of need. He hands you a dagger so you can do business with the enemy. He gives directive and clarity to your situation.

7. PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT – Activates all the other pieces of Armor. If we do not pray, we have no relationship with God. Having a relationship with God is most needed for us to even be able to align our behavior with each piece of armor. Be must be girded and armed daily. Praying in the Spirit makes that possible.