1 Peter 5:6-9
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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.
Satan does not guess on how to tempt or torture you. He stalks you, just how a lion stalks it's prey. He learns what your faults are, if you are apt to take that second glance at a woman on the side of the street with lust in your eyes, or if you just can't keep secrets in and gossip to the entire neighborhood. Satan is not going to tempt you with alcohol and drunkenness if your sin struggle is sexual immorality. He studies the best way to attack you because he knows that his time is short, and wants to take as many souls with him to Hell as possible.
Are you a worrier? He instills fear in your heart, and lets it grow until you are paralyzed by it.
Do you have a bit of a temper? In those stressful moments he taunts you into a deeper anger until suddenly you're seeing red and taking extreme acts - screaming, throwing things, hitting people, slamming doors.
Hold yourself higher than you should? Just how Lucifer thought he was better than God, he tells you how you could never have such cheap and low quality material items, or how you are so much better than everyone else when in fact we are equal in the eyes of God.
The devil is ready to pounce on you, and meticulously examines you. Whereas God tells you you're loved and precious (Isaiah 43:4), Satan tells you that you could never be loved and are worthless. Satan uses the same tricks on everyone, there is nothing new in his playbook. Lies, deceit, division, discouragement, and imitating God. Satan knows how to deliver every single one in a new package with a pretty bow on top, but the root is always the same. Be alert and of sound mind. Know how the enemy works, and do not be deceived by his tricks, but resist him, standing firm in your faith of Christ. I know it is easier said than done, but we must resist Satan and his schemes. As soon as you feel the temptation to open up that porn site, go to that party with substance abuse in every room, or even slip that little item from the store into your bag before checkout you need to take a step back and pray for the Holy Spirit to intervene and give you the strength to turn away. Even if you have to squeeze your eyes shut, clench your teeth, and physically remove yourself from the situation. Pray for God to replace your nature with His own, and realize that the enemy is feeding you lies. You do not need to see that video, that person can cause you to compromise your marriage no matter how much you convince yourself they can't, that little white lie will not make your life easier.
You can find comfort in the fact that you are not alone in this. Every other believer of Christ is going through trials and temptations just how you are. Living for Christ guarantees a target on your back for Satan, but it also ensures the protection and power of God. The treasures, blessings, and love that God gives in return are so much greater than what Satan can inflict here on earth. To be a Christian is the real revolution against sin and flesh.
Ephesians 6:10-20 tells us how we can guard ourselves against the enemy with the Armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, and the sword of the Spirit. Keep this armor on, and stay alert. Our enemy scours night and day, and fights hard to separate you from God - but He has given us the power, knowledge, and tools to fight harder and to win.
Comments