Today will be the third and final post in a series recapping the time of reflection I hosted as part of my church’s women’s retreat a few weeks ago.

In Part One, I highlighted the critical importance of casting all our cares on the Lord. In Part Two, I talked about our enemy, the roaring lion, and how spiritual warfare is a reality we would be wise to study up on and take seriously. This week, as promised, I’m going to share the biblically-proven, surefire way to resist the enemy – a tactic powerfully illustrated by our Savior, Jesus Christ – as well as a few of my favorite verses (a.k.a., ammunition) for winning health and fitness-related battles.

Immediately following Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. Why, you might ask? Because it was God’s will that through Jesus’ key strategy we would learn how to combat the devil and walk away victorious.

So what was Jesus’ M.O.? Very simple: reciting scripture.

For forty days, Jesus was tempted relentlessly by Satan (Luke 4:1-12). Each time, Jesus rejected Satan’s lies by inserting the truth of God’s Word. He stated the passage most relevant to His situation and claimed it for Himself. Filling our minds and spirits with God’s Word brings us into agreement with God, which in turn completely dissipates the lies the devil generates and the world perpetuates.

Spiritual strongholds are brought down by the knowledge of God (which is why studying the Word for yourself is of the utmost importance). Many times, we find ourselves still entangled with our former incorrect thinking about X, Y, or Z and fail to recognize the enemy’s attack. This is when we should especially go to the Bible and speak God’s Word aloud and remind ourselves of God’s plan for our lives as His cherished children, the beloved bride of His Son.

Here are a few verses I fire at the devil when he comes against me with attacks concerning my health and my stewardship of it. They are categorized for your convenience, so if you’re struggling with something in particular, scroll on down ‘til you see it listed and write down a verse or two, then post it on your fridge, desk, or mirror.

GENERAL HEALTH

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” –Psalm 103:2-3, NLT

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” –Psalms 139:14, NIV

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:19, NIV

“Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” 3 John 1:2

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” -1 Thessalonians 5:23, NLT

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” -1 Timothy 4:8, NLT

GLORIFYING GOD WITH YOUR BODY

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” -1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV

“I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” –Romans 12:1, NLT

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” -1 Corinthians 3:16-17, ESV

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT

HEALING

“O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.” –Psalm 30:2, NIV

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” –Psalm 147:3, NIV

“O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!” –Jeremiah 17:14, NLT

“‘He himself bore our sins’” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “‘by his wounds you have been healed.’” -1 Peter 2:24, NIV

 

I pray these scriptures are a blessing to you and encourage you to dive into God’s Word the second the devil comes roaring at you with his atrocious lies of doubt, fear, discouragement, inadequacy, inferiority, you name it! Ask the Lord to lead you to the right verse to wield like a weapon before the enemy. And fight confidently, knowing that if God is for you, who can be against you?[1]

“Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” –Ephesians 6:13, NLT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Romans 8:31