James 2:1

My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality (toward people-show no favoritism, no prejudice or snobbery).

We are to be good to all people, not regarding their wealth or poverty, and judge people with wrong motives. God judges the heart that is on the inside and can see a person’s motives. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves and see to walk as Jesus walks toward mankind on this earth.

Psalm 16:7-8

I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my heart (mind) instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

The more we focus on God and His counsel, the closer we draw God to us. The Lord will teach us and instruct us in His ways. He will lead us with the Holy Spirit and guide us closer to knowledge and understanding of His word. The relationship with God develops with time and practice as we learn to trust God and His works. 

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks and praise the Lord, with all my heart; I will tell aloud all Your wonders and marvelous deeds. I will rejoice and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 

Praise helps us focus on all the good that God has done in our lives. When we praise, we turn our focus off the problem and onto the solution to the problem. We express our faith in God in praise as we lift our voices and remind the devil that God is in control. 

Romans 10:3-4

(The Jews) For not knowing about God’s righteousness (which is based on faith), and seeking to establish their own (righteousness based on works) they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law (it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him), for (granting) righteousness to everyone who believes (in Him as Savior).

God created the law to help a man keep from sin, but a man without the Holy Spirit could not keep the law. Jesus came to remove sin once and for all and remove salvation by works. Our faith in Jesus and believing in Him redeems us from sin. Our faith is the key to overcoming the enemy and keeping us free from sin.

Romans 8:5

Those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh (which gratify the body), but those who are living according to the Spirit (set their minds on) the things of the Spirit (His will and purpose).

We must school our minds to the things of the Spirit and cast down and out anything against the Spirit of God. It is the only way to keep our peace and to walk out our call here. The practice and time are worth the effort. A sound mind takes a sound faith, and the flesh is an adversary to both.  

Romans 6:6

We know that our old self (our human nature without the Holy Spirit) was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.

God gave us armor to protect ourselves against enemies’ attacks. The adversary’s job is to find weaknesses to drag us back from faith. Our knowledge of the word is necessary because we speak the word to counter the enemy just as Jesus did when He was tried. We are no longer slaves of sin; the Word is our sword.

Galatians 4:31

So then, believers, we (who are born again-reborn from above-spiritually transformed, renewed and set apart for His purpose) are not children of a slave woman (the natural), but of the free woman (the supernatural).

The devil will use the past like a movie screen across the mind. The born-again believer has the power and authority Jesus gives us to shut that movie down. We speak out loud, reminding the devil of our born-again status, free and washed clean from our past. We cast down any imagination that exalts itself above the word of God. We speak the word, and the devil will flee.

Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk habitually in the (Holy) Spirit (seek Him and be responsive to His guidance), and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature (which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts).

We can use all the help we can get to follow God and His teachings successfully. The Holy Spirit is that guide who will caution our spirit when we take steps in the wrong direction. What looks good on the outside can lead us into a sinful trap. It can be simple, and the Holy Spirit will keep us from going forward when we listen.

Ephesians 6:10

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him) and in the power of His (boundless) might.

Building up strength doesn’t happen overnight. When we practice the word of God, we build up trust and strength in what we believe. We see God working through His word on our behalf when we pray and believe. Weak faith will not see the same result because it hasn’t developed a faith relationship with God. 

Isaiah 40:7-8

The grass withers, the flowers fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; most certainly the people are (like) grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God stands forever.

The word of God stands forever. Everything around us changes fades and disappears into the past and our memories. God stands firm in the middle, keeping the world in order. God knows the end from the beginning, and when we put our trust in the eternal, we keep our faith secure no matter what changes around us.