CLOSE THE DOOR ON SATAN
“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.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
Scripture focus: 1 Peter 5:5-11
Have you ever heard the statement: “The devil is on my back”. I need to say, that I have always had a problem with that statement. If you and I are drawing closer to the Lord, it would mean that Satan is also, and we know that is not true. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is writing this epistle to the saints that are dispersed and are undergoing trials. As we approach the end of this age, we too will undergo trials. The instructions from Peter are vital to us today.
1. Insight from the passage: We have an unseen enemy, who is our adversary, an opponent out to destroy us. Since he is seeking whom he may devour, it means there are those individuals that are not available to his destructions.
We can learn some things from our natural understanding of warfare. And we are in a war against the forces of darkness. Armies have built steal tanks to protect their men. We too have protection in the body of Christ. Do we know how to use it? Peter told the young people to submit themselves to the elders. What wisdom is available to each of us from others with more experience? As we submit ourselves to one another and are clothed with humility, God provides the grace for each of us in our circumstances.
2. We are not suffering alone: All around the world, we have brothers and sisters standing for their faith and are suffering. Satan would like us to believer that we are the only ones going through hardship. Satan is a liar from the beginning. God will use the suffering in our lives to perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us. Our hard times have a God purpose.
3. Satan can be resisted in the faith: We talk a lot about faith, but the Word also gives us the value of humility. We are told to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time. It takes faith in God to humble oneself in the midst of struggles. Yet, God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble. Faith to obey God’s Word will allow God to exalt us in His timing.
4. Actions for each of us: Peter is clear to give us the requirement to close the door on Satan. We are told to be sober, rational and reasonable because we have an enemy that wants to destroy us. In addition, it requires each of us to be vigilant, alert, careful, and watchful because of the wiles of Satan.
Closing the door on Satan will not keep us from the trials of life, but it will keep Satan from gaining any victory. As we submit ourselves to our elders, and one another, the body of Christ is able to give glory to God, who has the glory and the dominion forever and ever. “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:7-10.