I want to quote something from the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. Here’s their definition of a fever:
“Fever is one of the body's reactions to infection. Although the mechanism is incompletely understood, a fever apparently plays a role in the way the body adjusts to and fights off many infectious diseases.”
A fever is a built-in fighting mechanism God created in the body. When something threatens your health, the body raises its temperature and directs its energy toward fighting off the intruder. Without this defense, infection could overwhelm and destroy us.
In the same way, God designed your spirit to resist spiritual attacks. Just as your body is not passive when sickness comes, neither should your spirit be passive when the enemy comes against you. God’s Word says:
James 4:7 — “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
The word “resist” literally means to stand against or oppose. That is not a passive word—it’s a fighting word.
I think John Wayne once said, “Them’s fightin’ words!” In the same way, every evil report that contradicts God’s promises is fighting talk. Whether it’s a doctor’s prognosis, a job loss, or a discouraging circumstance, the enemy uses those reports to steal your faith and hope. The doctor is not your enemy—he’s doing his best to help. Your boss isn’t your enemy either. But the devil is behind discouragement, fear, and hopelessness. That’s what you fight.
This is why Isaiah’s question still matters:
Isaiah 53:1 — “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
Every time you hear a negative report, you have a decision to make: Whose report will I believe? Will I believe the discouragement, or will I stand on God’s promises?
Years ago, Becky Fender wrote a song many churches still sing: “Whose report will you believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord.” That’s more than a lyric—it’s a battle cry.
We were not created to be passive when the devil attacks our lives. We were created to fight—not against people, but against spiritual forces. Scripture makes this clear:
Ephesians 6:10–12 — “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
And again in:
2 Corinthians 10:3–5 — “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
A stronghold is simply a lie we’ve believed—something that feels unshakable, like fear or despair. But it’s not unshakable! God’s Word says His truth demolishes strongholds. Taking hold of His promises is where victory begins.
Jesus put it plainly:
John 10:10 — “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
You’ll never have faith for God’s promises until they are settled in your heart. That’s why it’s so important to know—not just vaguely hope—that His will for you is good. When that truth becomes settled, you’ll be ready to resist the devil and his lies.
So ask yourself: Is the devil robbing you? Is he stealing your joy, your health, or your peace? Don’t accept it. Get angry about it. Find God’s promises, put them before Him in prayer, and resist the enemy. Remember, Scripture promises that as you resist, the devil will flee.
Here’s one of those precious promises to hold onto:
Psalm 103:2–3 (NIV) — “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”
