Strength 2026

Strength Against What We Tolerate

Sunday, April 12, 2026

The things we allow in our lives today do not just affect us—they can impact those who come after us.

What we tolerate will become the next generation’s battle. What we tolerate will try to eliminate the next generation.

Discussion Point #1: Are we supposed to tolerate things that are working against us or trying to destroy what God is doing in our lives? Why do you think people sometimes tolerate things in their lives that they know are not from God?

John 10:10 (NIV) ¹⁰“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The enemy’s purpose is clear: to steal, kill, and destroy. He works to steal our identity, our peace, and our blessings—anything he can.

So if we recognize his plan, why would we tolerate the fruit of it in our lives?

Discussion Point #2: What should we do when we recognize that harmful words—whether spoken by others or even by ourselves—have been allowed to take root in our lives?

Isaiah 54:17 (AMP) ¹⁷“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the LORD.

We are not powerless. The Scripture tells us that every tongue that rises against us can be condemned.

That means we can take authority in the name of Jesus and reject words that were spoken over us—or even words we have spoken over ourselves.

Romans 10:13 (ESV) ¹³For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

When we call on the name of Jesus, we are not just asking for help —we are standing in the authority He has given us.

Discussion Point #3: If we are not meant to tolerate the enemy’s work in our lives, what should we do with the blessings and promises God has given us?

Ephesians 3:16–21 (AMP) ¹⁶May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, ¹⁸be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; ¹⁹and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. ²⁰Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, ²¹to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

God has not called us just to avoid destruction —He has called us to walk in fullness.

We are meant to be strengthened, rooted, and filled with His power and love. His desire is to do more in us than we could ever ask or imagine.

So not only should we refuse what the enemy tries to bring —we should also receive and walk in what God has promised.