When the apostle James was writing to the Church, he said to consider it all joy when you encounter various trials. We are in a time when many people are experiencing various types of trials in their lives. But as you experience problems in life, whether they are physical, financial, or emotional, you must know this—your problem is not the issue. It’s how you react to your problem that will determine your destiny.
Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” This verse clearly tells us that there will be afflictions and that the righteous will be the ones who get them. But I’m so glad the verse doesn’t stop there! It goes on to say that these righteous people who are being attacked by the enemy will be delivered out of all their trials.
If you are born again, you are righteous. Righteousness is not something that you earn, develop, or grow in. You are made righteous in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, when you gave your heart to Jesus. When you received Him as your Lord and Savior, you became as righteous as you will ever be.
Yes, we grow in holiness. As we develop our understanding of God’s Word and as we walk in our belief of what He has spoken, our holiness moves to a higher level. You might say that when you become a Christian, you are made righteous and you start becoming holy, and you spend your life working out your salvation and developing holiness.
Being righteous does not shield you from the attacks of the enemy. It is your shield of faith that does that. According to Ephesians 6:16, your shield of faith quenches “all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Your faith does not make the enemy quit shooting at you; however, your faith will be like a bullet proof vest that will keep his bullets from killing you.
Since the Bible tells us that faith is the barrier between us and the weapons of the enemy, common sense would say that we want this barrier to be as strong as possible. If someone is shooting at me with a powerful weapon, I want that barrier to be thick and strong because the greater the barrier, the more secure I am against an attack. Faith is simply believing God and developing a complete lifestyle of words and actions wrapped around that belief. When we believe in our heart that He heals and align all of our words and actions with that belief, then that strengthens the faith barrier for healing. When we believe He redeemed us from the curse of poverty and wrap all of our words and actions around that belief, then we strengthen the faith barrier against the attack of poverty.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). One reason the fight of faith is so difficult for some Christians is that the substance of faith is invisible in this realm, but the enemy’s attack can be seen clearly. The enemy stands plainly in the open for us to see and struts around like Goliath, knowing that if he can cause us to focus on his visible attack instead of focusing on the invisible barrier of faith between us and him, then he can defeat us.
His attack is visible in the physical realm, but our faith is in the spiritual realm. God wants us to focus on what we can’t see in the natural because we walk by faith and not by sight. “…We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).
So your Goliath may be strutting around on the hill claiming that he will destroy you. He could be your physical Goliath, your financial Goliath, or your emotional Goliath, but with the sword of the Spirit and faith in your heart, you can sever his head and he will “Go-lieth” down, dead with no chance of survival! It’s just like when you cut off a snake’s head. Its body may wiggle for a while without its head, but have no fear, it is dead and can no longer hurt you.
So, when the enemy (illness, debt, and hurt) gets in your face, put your faith in God and His protective promise. Use the sword of the Spirit while holding your shield of faith, and your adversary will fall before you.
Scripture References:
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
(2 Cor. 5:7)…We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
(2 Cor. 4:18)Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
(Pss. 34:19)Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
(Eph. 6:10-18)My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
(James 1:2-3)For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
(Rom. 5:19)Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Heb. 11:1)
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of eight books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.