Be Alert! And Of Sober Mind
Resist The Devil
1 PETER 5:8-9
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
”I Peter 5:8-9 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/1pe.5.8-9.nkj
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Lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone, or not alert or are vulnerable.
Peter warns us to watch out for Satan, to remain alert and sober, particularly when we are suffering or being persecuted.
As Christians, we are all tested; Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil when Jesus was weak from fasting forty days, and He was hungry (MATHEW 4:1-4).
The devil patiently waited until Jesus was at His weakest and tried to tempt Him into using His divine privileges to get food, which was contrary to His pledge that He wouldn’t use His divine privileges as something to cling to (PHILIPPIANS PHILIPPIANS 2:6).
But Jesus responded with His Word, passing the test with flying colours, “and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ””
Matthew 4:4 NKJV
Just like Jesus, you will face these testings, and you can be sure that Satan knows when you are at your weakest and when you are vulnerable.
For forty days and forty nights Jesus fasted and became hungry and the devil tested Him.
But Jesus did not yield to the temptation that Satan placed before Him.
The devil, not willing to be defeated, tried again and again to cause Jesus to fall, and he will try again and again and again to cause you to fall.
“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Matthew 4:5-11 NKJV
Jesus used the Word of God to get Him through His test, but Satan continued to test Jesus, using scripture to entice him into sin, but eventually Jesus answered him with a rebuke, and the devil went away and angels came and ministered to Jesus (MATHEW 4:1-11).
Just like Jesus, as Christians we are going to be tested, and even when we pass the test, rebuke the devil and he flees, we shall need some ministering.
Testing is vital for growth. Like children, we can not climb to new levels until we have overcome the level we’re at.
James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NKJV
Peter warns us to watch out for Satan, particularly when we are suffering or being persecuted, when you are feeling weak, helpless and cut off from other believers.
The devil has no mercy, he is very happy to kick you while you are down.
During time of suffering, we humans naturally seek to be alone, but that is exactly what the demons want.
Therefore, seek other believers for support, and focus your thoughts on Christ,rebuke and the devil, then says James, "he will flee from you" (JAMES 4:7).
Rebuke, is to verbally call out the devil and command him to stop or leave. Without such a command, he will not stop.
It is encouraging that Peter, was able to rise above the most powerful storm and literally walked on those stormy waters when focused on Christ. But even when overwhelmed by the noise, Jesus was in arms reach to take Him by the hand and lead him to safety, and then calm the storm (MATHEW 14:22-33).
These test are very real and no one is exempt from them.
“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
I Corinthians 10:1-13 NKJV
Therefore, when temptation comes, ask God for a way of escape, and He is faithful to make a righteous way forward for you.
All glory to God forever and ever. Amen.
