Why is the holiness of God so powerful? There is a correlation between being holy and disarming the enemy’s attacks. We’ve been taught to quote scriptures and sing praises in order to overcome the enemy’s assault. But, how many times have we considered the power of God’s holiness to totally disarm the attacks? Do we realize the ability of God’s holiness within us to shield and protect us from our spiritual adversary?

In Zechariah 3, Joshua the high priest was standing before the throne of God and Satan was at his right hand accusing him. Joshua was under attack and he came to God for help. Joshua was filthy. His dirty garments were the result of the iniquity and sin that permeated his life. However, the Lord rebuked the Accuser and told those attending nearby to take off Joshua’s sin-stained garments.

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Then He said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments” (v.4). Those pure vestments represented the righteousness and holiness of God. Because of Joshua’s posture of heart in coming before the throne of grace, God cleansed him of his sin and that which the Accuser had brought against him. Given a clean slate, the Accuser now had no case against Joshua. He was now covered in the righteousness of God, thus totally disarming his Accuser.

Because we have now been declared priests unto the Lord, this promise is also for us (Rev 1:6). When we stand in the righteousness of Christ, the enemy has NO hold on us. God has given us access into the holy place knowing that this is the place where the enemy can’t touch us.

This is not automatic, however. We must approach the throne of grace just as Joshua did. Hebrews tells us we can come with boldness and confidence because of Christ’s sacrificial love for us (Heb 10:19-23). We don’t come because we deserve it. We come because we believe in what Christ did for us (Gal 3:6). We become holy, not by doing things better or trying harder, but by fixing our eyes on Him and partaking of His divine nature (2 Tm 1:9). He calls us to be like Him in holiness and righteousness because of the power it produces.

Holiness is not a set of rules but a power source from heaven. So, I will show My greatness and My holiness and make Myself known in the eyes of many nations.  Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ez 38:23 ESV)

Holiness grows when we are willing to do whatever it takes to be right with God and others. It is this posture of surrender that the enemy cannot withstand. Determine to access the holiness of God by coming before the throne of grace to be cleansed, restored, and renewed. Trade in your filthy rags and stand secure in the righteousness of Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me access to the throne of grace through the work of the cross. I now come and ask to be cleansed of my sin in order to embrace Your gift of righteousness in my life. I want to be holy, even as You are holy. Fill me with Your truth and silence my Accuser. Thank You for helping me stand secure in this place of freedom and peace. Teach me to walk in the power of Your holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

*Taken from devotional, “Oracles of Grace: Building a Legacy of Wisdom and Revelation” by Wanda Alger.