There is an interesting verse that helps illustrate coming in the opposite spirit. 1 Peter 3:9 says, “No returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

If you have a difficult person in your life, think about how you could bless them. First we respond to them always in an opposite spirit. That will ensure that we don’t fall into judging them. Here is my ‘beware’ verse when I am around folks who have a critical spirit.

Matthew 7:1 says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Romans 2:1 says, “…whatever you judge another in…you who judge practice the same things.” Pause and think about that. Judging others becomes a circular sin. We sin in judging them in their sin, and the judgment comes back on us.

Romans 12:9-21 is like a Christian Magna Carta. We have rights, but we yield them for the sake of others. Verse 14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

If you are around folks who complain, beware that you do not engage in their complaining. Combat it in an opposite spirit of thanksgiving, praise, and rejoicing in your heart.

Proverbs 15:1 instructs us on how to live in an opposite spirit ~ which is to counteract the negative. It says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 17:19 Amplified says, “He who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself in guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction.”

Strife, quarreling, harsh words, and angry outbursts are all fleshly reactions because of our hidden sins. The hidden sin gets triggered and we react. The opposite spirit is clearly stated in Proverbs 25:15 Amplified. It says, “By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bone-like resistance.”

Set the stage. Proverbs 15:30 Amplified says, “The light in the eyes (of him whose heart is joyful) rejoices the hearts of others, and good news nourishes the bones.”

Daniel drew a line in the sand. Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank…” When did he purpose? Long before he was placed in a compromising situation.

We live in the world but we are not to be part of it. Romans 12:2 says to not be conformed to the world’s standards. 1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the word…”

Philippians 2:14 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” We know from Numbers 11:1 that complaining displeases the Lord and brings harsh consequences.

Verse 15 says, “That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” We are called to be light bearers. 

Romans 12:2 J. B. Phillips says, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould…” Complaining is infectious ~ as well as gossip. 

I started memorizing the first phrase in Ephesians 6:12. It says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…” It is essential that we remember this when we are in the midst of adversity. People are not our enemy. True people can be influenced or controlled by the enemy, but they are not the ones we war against.

The verse continues and gives us clarity. It says, “…but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

The apostle Paul had demonic interference. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 says, “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and time again—but satan hindered us.” 

The Collins Dictionary defined drawing a line in the sand as to put a stop to or a limit on something. We are called to represent Jesus in every aspect of our lives. We need to recognize that those who oppose us are opposing Him. We therefore draw a spiritual line ~ by purposing in our hearts to not sin by reacting to others’ fleshly reactions.

Here are a few accounts of David’s army. 1 Chronicles 11:11 says that Jashobeam, “…lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time.”:

Verse 14 says, “…they stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.”

How quick are you with the word of God? It is our only true defense against the wiles of the devil. Do you have the sword of the Spirit ready for battle? David chose specific stones, rounded by time for his sling. His sling was a proven weapon. 1 Samuel 17:34-36.

We need to have anchor verses hidden in our hearts. These are verses that have taken us through the battles of our flesh when we were in hard trials. They are proven truths that have kept us steadfast and immovable in the face of weariness and discouragement.

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

What temptations do you need to stand against? Temptations are not sin. We can cut them off at the pass through preparation. I’m reading 1 Chronicles right now. I came to the part about David’s army. This verse caught my eye. I called my bow hunting cousin to tell him.

1 Chronicles 12:2 says of the tribe of Benjamin, “Armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow…” Judges 20:16 says that 700, “…who were left handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair’s breadth and not miss.” 

David was from the tribe of Judah. Yet he was an excellent shot. One stone felled the giant before him. He was steadfast and unmoved by Goliath’s threats. Temptations are only threats when our quiver is full of the arrows of God’s word.

We prepare our sharp arrow-truths by memorizing verses that we can use to stop a temptation in its tracks. Tempted to get angry? James 1:20 says, “For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Ephesians 6:10 says, “…stand against the wiles of the devil.” As I’m memorizing this phrase, my mind keeps going back to other Scriptures. To stand against means to resist. James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Ephesians 6:13 says to withstand. The Greek word is anthistemi. Anti is “against” temi is to cause to stand. The Strong’s suggests vigorously opposing, standing face-to-face against an adversary, standing your ground.

In 1 Peter 5:8 he warned his readers that the devil looks for those he can attack and devour. Let Peter’s words ring in your heart. Verse 9 says, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” The devil’s attacks against us are always seeking to undermine and destroy our faith.

How did Jesus stand fast when he was tempted by the devil? He quoted Scripture! Luke 4:1-13. That is how we also must stand ~ firmly against his schemings ~ counter attacking through verbal truth. 

Beware! When doubts come into your mind, you have a negative thought about yourself, another, or your circumstances ~ that is an attack against your faith. 

Praise girds us up with truth. Our praise is focused on the Lord who is our Victorious Warrior. Psalm 22:3 says that He enthrones Himself in our hearts through praise.

Psalm 68:1-2 says, “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered…As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.”

The enemy comes to scatter and isolate from others. The body of Christ is made up of individuals. Together we make a whole. Division weakens the link. That is why the enemy seeks to divide so he can isolate and conquer.

What verse-arrows of truth do you have in your quiver? Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” When we stand shoulder to shoulder and back to back, we can lend one of our verse-arrows to encourage and strengthen the ones near us.

Ephesians 4:29 says to impart grace to your hearers. Being thankful is infectious. Philippians 4:4 says to rejoice always!

I’m memorizing Ephesians 6:10-18. Here is one of my favorite warfare verses. I quote it in a militant way. Nahum 2:1 says, “He who scatters has come before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.”

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

I love the picture of 1 Peter 1:13. It says, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Note in my Bible. To gird up your mind comes from Orientals necessarily gathering up their long robes with a belt to prepare for action. 

Preparing for action is to remain alert. It is to be watchful and attentive. When my dad was in Burma India during World War II, he often had to do guard duty at night. He said it was really hard to not fall asleep, so he sang hymns in his heart.

Think of Peter and John. The lame man was healed. Acts 3:9 says, “And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” The people knew the man who begged. Verse 10 says, “…they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Peter and John were arrested, but the whole miracle opened the way for the Lord to be glorified through the salvation of others. Acts 4:4 says, “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

The apostles were imprisoned. An angel opened the door and brought them out. They were beaten and warned to not speak the name of Jesus. Acts 5:41 was their response. It says, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

Ephesians 5:20 says that we are to always and in all things give thanks, “…to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus died so that we might glorify Him through our lives.