Contending For The Faith
Use the Power of the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and
in the power of His might.
NKJV
We need to remember that we fight a spiritual battle. Paul sets forth a great deal about this in Ephesians 6:10-18. And while evil exists as the tool of Satan, it is important for us to always keep in mind that the false brothers, the false teachers, and the false prophets of the world - past, present, and future - are all tools of this spiritual warfare. Those supporting false doctrine are nothing more than an outward appearance in time and space of the spiritual battle. Everything is a choice - between God and Satan. Contending for the faith is nothing more than always choosing God!
At the same time, we must grow in our faith and spiritual maturity or else we are apt to give too much attention and credit to the forces of evil. While it is true the world system is the result of sin and evil, not everything that happens to us is traceable to Satan. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that Scripture comes alive. By growing in spiritual maturity, we come to rely more and more upon the teaching and illumination of the Spirit. This allows us to discern the seasons and times. We may come to recognize false teachers from those who are merely "mixed up" about doctrine. We are to help the latter, while we contend with the former.
God uses the Spirit to preserve His Word and to teach us how to best contend for the faith in each and every situation we encounter. In contrast to this, Jude describes the false teachers as those devoid any the guidance of the Spirit. We need to learn the difference - and this can only occur in the world of the Holy Spirit. Devotions and daily Bible study are so very important. Taking time to spend with God cannot be over-emphasized. Christianity is a relationship. We need to learn to build this relationship, just as we build all of our other relationships.
This is our responsibility, to build ourselves in the truth of Jesus Christ. This may only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, a power given to us through study of the Word of God and much prayer.
But you, dear friends of mine, build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith and by praying through the Holy Spirit keep yourselves within the love of God. Wait patiently for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will bring you to the life eternal. There are some whom you must pity because of their doubts; some you must save by snatching them out of the fire. But there are others whom you must pity with the utmost caution, hating the very clothes which their deeds have soiled.
Jude 20-23, Phillips
