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."
Peter's first term, "be sober" urges us not to let fear fluster us to the point that we cannot think clearly. sober is to be calm and collected in spirit. In more common language, instead of saying, "Be sober" we might say, "Keep cool", "Keep your head in the game" "Don't lose your presence of mind" "Don't be afraid, don't freak out" "Chill"
He also says to "Be vigilant", which means to watch, give strict attention to be cautious, be awakel We need to be on the look-out for the enemy's wiles and ask the Lord to help us recognize his tactics and strategies. Thiis same phraseology is also used in reference to prayer. It is our responsibility to pray that we not enter into temptation and to remember that when we are tempted the Lord has given a way out! Prayer is part of being vigilant! We must be ever watchful in the spirit!
The third term,"resist him" is command not to turn and run but to stand firm. This instruction let's us know that the devil is not all powerful! In Christ, the devil can be resisted and beaten! The same Jesus who has already defeated the enemy is on the throne, overseeing our well-being! AND His spirit lives inside of us! His protection s not something to flaunt, but is power we can count on!
James 4:7 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" Again we must resist, but it is directly joined with submission to God. Submission is the voluntary act of placing yourself under the authority of another to show respect and give obedience. If we submit to God, satan will flee.
How then do we resist? How do we hold our ground? In 1Peter 5"9 the first phrase is better translated as "Resist him, standing firm (or solid) in the faith. If we put this into military terms, a soldier would be commanded, "Do NOT surrender! Do not give up any ground! Do not back Down! Move forward with all you got!"
Peter's first term, "be sober" urges us not to let fear fluster us to the point that we cannot think clearly. sober is to be calm and collected in spirit. In more common language, instead of saying, "Be sober" we might say, "Keep cool", "Keep your head in the game" "Don't lose your presence of mind" "Don't be afraid, don't freak out" "Chill"
He also says to "Be vigilant", which means to watch, give strict attention to be cautious, be awakel We need to be on the look-out for the enemy's wiles and ask the Lord to help us recognize his tactics and strategies. Thiis same phraseology is also used in reference to prayer. It is our responsibility to pray that we not enter into temptation and to remember that when we are tempted the Lord has given a way out! Prayer is part of being vigilant! We must be ever watchful in the spirit!
The third term,"resist him" is command not to turn and run but to stand firm. This instruction let's us know that the devil is not all powerful! In Christ, the devil can be resisted and beaten! The same Jesus who has already defeated the enemy is on the throne, overseeing our well-being! AND His spirit lives inside of us! His protection s not something to flaunt, but is power we can count on!
James 4:7 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" Again we must resist, but it is directly joined with submission to God. Submission is the voluntary act of placing yourself under the authority of another to show respect and give obedience. If we submit to God, satan will flee.
How then do we resist? How do we hold our ground? In 1Peter 5"9 the first phrase is better translated as "Resist him, standing firm (or solid) in the faith. If we put this into military terms, a soldier would be commanded, "Do NOT surrender! Do not give up any ground! Do not back Down! Move forward with all you got!"
Watching this video of this roaring lion may not be that scary. but the sound of the lion's roar strikes fear and apprehension into the heart of the animal kingdom. The roar of a lion can often be heard more than five miles away! I often think of the lion's roar, when I hear Christians talk about the enemy, the devil, from a heart of fear. We are not to fear him, we are to stand in faith! We have the God =backed promise that satan will flee! The key words here are "standing firm" and "faith" "Standing firm" or "solid" is used in the sense of UN-MOVABLE! When we are standing firm in our faith we are immovably convicted in the face of a strong test! We plant our feet on the ROCK and set our face as flint against the roar of the enemy!
So I ask myself rightnow, Am I un-movable in my faith?
Father God, thank You so much that You teach us abot our enemy and how to withstand his attack! We want immovable faith, Lord! Thank You that You teach us to trust You and that You always show Yourself faithful and true! Lord search our hearts and any place that we are not willing, we are willing to be made willing! Increase our capacity to carry You! Tank You that You are showing us how t be sober and watchful and steadfast in You! Thank You that we do not have to fear the enemy, for he is already defeated! We love You Poppa, In Jesus Name amen
So I ask myself rightnow, Am I un-movable in my faith?
Father God, thank You so much that You teach us abot our enemy and how to withstand his attack! We want immovable faith, Lord! Thank You that You teach us to trust You and that You always show Yourself faithful and true! Lord search our hearts and any place that we are not willing, we are willing to be made willing! Increase our capacity to carry You! Tank You that You are showing us how t be sober and watchful and steadfast in You! Thank You that we do not have to fear the enemy, for he is already defeated! We love You Poppa, In Jesus Name amen
RSS Feed