Spiritual Strength

Lesson 10 of 12 in the Man of God series

When people think about strength, they usually picture a weightlifter at the gym or a soldier in battle. But spiritual strength isn’t measured in muscle mass or physical endurance. It’s measured in resilience—our ability to stand firm in faith when life gets heavy, when temptation pulls, or when hardship presses in.

The Harris brothers, in their book Do Hard Things, remind young men and women that real growth comes when we choose the harder path—the one that requires discipline, perseverance, and trust in God. Anyone can take the easy road. But if it was easy, everyone would do it. Real strength is proven when the task is tough and the pressure is high.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10

God’s Word doesn’t call you to generate your own strength. It calls you to stand in His strength. True spiritual strength is leaning on His power, not your own.

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Part 1: Strength to Endure

Spiritual strength first shows itself in endurance. Life will bring trials, setbacks, and disappointments. A man of God doesn’t crumble under the weight—he leans into the Lord.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:29–31

Endurance means pressing forward when quitting feels easier. It means facing temptation and saying, “I won’t bow.” It means trusting God’s power when your own strength runs dry.

Paul described it this way:

"For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10

Strength is not pretending you never tire; it’s learning to draw on God’s Spirit when you do.

Think of Job. He lost wealth, health, and family, yet refused to curse God. His friends misunderstood him, his wife told him to give up, but Job endured. That is spiritual strength—not because he had answers, but because he trusted the One who did.

Or Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, thrown into prison—yet he remained faithful. Year after year, he endured hardship without letting bitterness take over. And when the moment came, his endurance positioned him to save nations.

The ultimate picture of endurance is Jesus in Gethsemane. Sweat like drops of blood fell as He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” He endured betrayal, mockery, and the cross—not because it was easy, but because He was spiritually strong.

Endurance doesn’t mean you never stumble—it means you keep standing back up in God’s strength. It’s the ability to keep walking when you feel like collapsing. It’s the determination to keep trusting when you can’t see the outcome.

Part 2: Strength to Serve

But endurance is only half the picture. God doesn’t just give you strength to survive—He gives you strength to serve bigger and love harder.

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” – Romans 15:2

True strength isn’t shown in domination but in devotion. The world says strong men assert power over others. Jesus showed that true strength kneels down, washes feet, and sacrifices self for the good of others.

At the Last Supper, the disciples argued over who was the greatest. Jesus silenced the debate by picking up a towel. He washed their feet—including Judas’s. That’s strength.

Paul also modeled this strength to serve. Beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked—he kept preaching, planting churches, and encouraging believers. His strength wasn’t for comfort but for mission.

And Moses carried the weight of an entire nation through the wilderness. He endured their complaints and interceded for their sins. That wasn’t weakness; it was spiritual strength poured out in service.

Here’s the mark of a man of God: he uses strength not to lift himself up but to lift others. The world loves those who love them back; you’re called to love your enemies. The world looks out for number one; you put others first. The world clings to comfort; you carry crosses.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3

The strongest men are not those who conquer people but those who carry people—fathers who serve their families, leaders who protect their teams, brothers who love their church. Spiritual strength gives you the endurance to keep going and the compassion to keep giving.

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Conclusion

A man of God develops spiritual strength. He endures hardship without giving up and serves others without holding back. He loves when it’s costly, gives when it’s inconvenient, and keeps going when others stop.

If it was easy, everyone would do it. But true strength is forged in difficulty, tested in resistance, and proven in love. And here’s the good news: God doesn’t just call you to be strong—He promises to supply the strength you need

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

The man of God knows where his strength comes from. It’s not in the gym or in grit—it’s in God. And when you stand in His strength, you’ll endure trials, serve others, and shine as an example of what real power looks like.