Sanctify Them Through Thy Truth: Thy Word Is Truth.
If we want to stand against the trials and tribulations that will come our way while we live in this fleshly body, then we have to be equipped to fight as a warrior of the All Mighty God. As Jesus finished up the time with His disciples during the last supper, right before going to the cross, Jesus prayed that we might have His joy fulfilled in us (remember He came that we could have life more abundantly, John 10:10), and He prayed that God would keep us from evil. Jesus, God, and the Spirit are one in three persons. This prayer is proof that trials and tribulations come from the world not from God. Read the whole prayer in John chapter 17, it is AWESOME, I have faith that Jesus didn’t pray any dud prayers.
John 17:13-19 (KJV) From Jesus’ Priestly Prayer 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Paul prayed for us in Ephesians 3:16-21 (KJV) 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Then Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:11-18 (KJV) 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the revelation of God to us. We are sanctified through the truth. Paul prays that we may be able to comprehend the love of Christ and gives glory to God that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (dominion), to God be the glory. The power that works in us comes from putting on (choosing to operate in) the armor of God. We are to girt our loins with truth (the Word), put on the breastplate of His righteousness, shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, take up our shield of faith (which comes from hearing the Word) and our helmet of salvation (which comes by faith, from hearing the Word) and we are to offensively be equipped with the sword of the Spirit, which goes on to say (is the Word of God): Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. . .
It is all about Jesus, Jesus is the Word, it is all about knowing the Word, which is Jesus. Then we can stand in faith and fight the good fight, and live life more abundantly with the joy of Lord, which is my strength.