Resist the devil

Before we dive in today, I'd like to apologize to anyone who has left comments that I've not responded to....I'm doing my best to check back and see if peeps have commented. Used to be, I would get an email and could respond directly to you, but that doesn't happen any more. I've tried my best to fix it, but no luck!  Looks like other bloggers are experiencing the same issue....I will keep trying. Until then, please bear with me, and know that I do value each and every one of you that leaves comments or feedback. I love you all, and wish God's best for each of you!

Remember that our friend, Peter, has an impulsive streak a mile wide? I can just imagine that after he's gotten us to relax, by casting our cares on the Lord, that he suddenly hollers, "Wake up! Be alert!"
And then, "There's a lion on the prowl, and he's going to eat you up if you aren't careful!"
(Grin)

Here are our verses for the next few days:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (I Peter 5:8-9)

Have you ever noticed, that when it comes to the devil, believers often go to one of two extremes? Some see Satan behind every bush, and behind every tree. Some ignore him altogether.  I guess there are more people that see him everywhere.....they say they believe that he causes the common cold, their latest car trouble, and much more. I firmly believe that he can indeed cause emotional and mental anguish and trouble for believers and unbelievers alike. But I wonder sometimes if he gets blamed sometimes for things that stem from our own sins and mistakes? (Grin)
At any rate, Peter does tell us to resist him, and we need to pay attention. After all, Satan is a pretty powerful and unseen foe -- he is so powerful that the archangel Michael didn't pronounce judgement on him, but said to him, "The Lord rebuke you." (That's in Jude.) I guess we don't need to get on our high horses, as my grandma used to say, and take him for granted..... if we don't believe he's powerful, and prepare and resist him, he is perfectly willing to make "short work" of us.
On the other hand, though, Satan isn't omnipotent. And, he is not omnipresent. Even better for us, he is a defeated foe! The cross of our Savior spelled his doom and then Christ's resurrection sealed Satan's fate. So we can resist him, and know that he will flee from us:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Peter describes Satan as "your adversary, the devil." Adversary means our opponent, our attacker, accuser.  In Revelation, he is described as our accuser in chapter 12.
Oh, that wily devil..... the strategies he will use!
Sometimes he will hit us when we are under some intense trial, and suggest "Are you sure that God is strong enough to deliver you?" Or, "He must not care. Why are you following Him, if He treats you like this?"
Or if we have fallen into some sin, and confessed our sin to Christ, the devil will say, "Some Christian YOU are....how can you imagine that you can be forgiven for that?"
He will even make us think that we're all alone in the world. Look at the end of verse nine. The devil would like for us to think that we are the only ones in the world that are going through the kind of suffering that we are experiencing. No one else understands! But Peter says, "No, you are not alone .... your Christian brothers throughout the world are going through similar trials."

We must not forget that verse 6 comes before verse 9. We must bow before God before we stand against the devil. And many believers are vulnerable to Satan's attacks because they are not alert to spiritual danger. I'm betting that if a nearby zoo reported a missing lion, we probably would not go for a stroll and admire the flowers.....but how many Christians watch filth on television or in movies, and allow their children to do the same? Is there any wonder why some believers have trouble staying interested in spiritual things?

Many believers are going through trials, and they grumble and complain. They don't realize that they are playing into the devil's hands! Their faith will be weakened and the goodness of God is discredited..... As God's children, we need to be careful to speak well of our Father! Even when He is taking us through trials. To grow, to handle suffering, and to resist the devil, we must humble ourselves and be alert.

Next time, we will look at some thoughts on hunting lions. Hope you will join us!