I have verses that anchor me. Think of them like the rock a barnacle clings to in a tumultuous storm. Nothing can shake that little creature. Here is one of my anchor verses. Psalm 63:8 Amplified says, “My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

Isaiah 59:19 says, “…when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” The Holy Spirit uses God’s word that we have hidden in our hearts. He brings them into our mind so that we can fight effectively.

First we have to hide them. James 1:21 says that the implanted word will save our soul. There are times when negative thoughts come into our mind. If we entertain those thoughts they will become a barrage against our faith. One thought of doubt can have a domino effect of thoughts that throw us off kilter.

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Though Paul faced his upcoming execution, his confidence was in the Lord.

Are you that persuaded? 2 Timothy 1:12 says, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

We must counter every fiery dart with our shield of faith. Ephesians 6:16. We stand by continually strengthening our faith. The Lord orchestrates trials that cause us to center on Him and not our circumstances. Mark 11:22 says, “…Have faith in God.”

When you are tempted to doubt, give into fear, or waver in what you believe, recognize you are under attack. Hold fast to your hope, like Paul did, which is the anchor of our soul. Hebrews 6:19.

Peter revealed another truth about this battle. 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.” What is his weapon? Deception. 

Verse 9 says, ‘Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” 1 John 5:4 says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Back to Paul. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” When we memorize and meditate in God’s word, it becomes our hidden weapon against the enemy’s lies. Truth embedded rises up to whack the suggestions to sin into pieces, rendering them impotent.

Paul’s last letter to Timothy held instruction as well as encouragement. 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:13-14 says, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you learned them.”

His words ‘hold fast’ reminded me of Ephesians 6:13. It followed Paul’s instruction to the folks in Ephesus about the warfare from the spiritual hosts of wickedness. It says, “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.” 

Then he listed the powerful armor of God that we are to daily put on. Our battles are not against flesh and blood. Therefore we must hold fast to the gospel and not waver.

1 Peter 1:10 says, “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.” Verse 11 says that they searched what manner of time the Spirit within was indicating. 

Verse 12 says, “To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven…”

I’m reading Isaiah now. Isaiah 42:6 says of the Lord, “…I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.”

Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…” We were bound in sin, held captive in satan’s prison—until His light penetrated our hearts.

Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” John 1:13 says of those who receive Jesus as their Savior, “Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Ephesians 1:7. We are redeemed by Jesus’ shed blood. Forgiven according to the riches of His grace. Verse 9 says, “Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.”

Speaking of Assyria, Isaiah 14:27 records a principle we can stand on. It says, “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” Titus 1:2 says, “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” Salvation is eternal.

James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” When we are grounded in God’s word through hearing it, memorizing, and meditating on it, we have the knowledge of truth. It is there, ready to apply as we face each temptation.

The Holy Spirit’s marvelous role in our lives will convict us of sin’s trap before we step into it. It is when we continually ignore His check in our spirit that we fall prey to the enemy’s trap.

In 2 Timothy 1:4 Paul warned Timothy, and then in verse 5 he explained the why. It says, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.”

When we disobey God’s word, our faith is compromised in that moment. Continually ignoring the promptings of the Holy Spirit will sear our conscience. 1 Timothy 4:2.

I am now working on memorizing 2 Timothy 1. This was Paul’s last letter before he was beheaded. Think about what you would write to those you love, as a reminder of what essential truths you wanted to impart.

2 Timothy 1:3 says, “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience…” I often visit Acts 24:16. Paul’s testimony says, “…I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

The Holy Spirit uses our conscience as a tool when we encounter a temptation. If we ignore that check in our spirit, we will entertain thoughts that could lead us into a trap. 

In 1 Timothy 1:4 Paul warned Timothy to not give heed to futile things, “…rather than godly edification which is in faith.” I want to jump to Romans 14:23. It says, “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.”