HOW DO I RESIST THE DEVIL?

1 PETER 5:8-9: “Be sober-minded,  be alert.  Your adversary, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” CSB

OBSERVATION: How do I resist the devil? This is a question that I must answer. Why? The Scriptures make it very clear – “Your adversary, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” Therefore, I have two choices.

I can be devoured.

Or…

I can resist the devil.

Now, I don’t know about you, but getting devoured is not my first choice. I have had my fair share of times when it seemed like the enemy chewed me up and spit me out. I don’t want to live in fear, and I don’t want to live in defeat. So, I must learn what to do with the roaring lion who is constantly trying to devour me, my faith, and my calling.

Peter tells us what to do! “Resist him, firm in the faith!” We are not simply to resist the enemy of our souls. We are to resist him, firm in the faith. This is where there are many different interpretations of what this means. Many claim their authority in Christ and have a shouting match with the devil. Others hunker down and quote Bible passages. While still others try to hide in their Christian enclaves and avoid temptation (the roaring lion) altogether.

I have tried all three of these approaches with little success. I have rebuked the devil until I was blue in the face, quoted Bible verses until I ran out of them, and tried to hide in the safety of Christian fellowship. Yet, I still experienced times when I found myself being devoured by the enemy. There must be something I was missing! As we read Peter’s instructions in context, we discover what these things are!

“Humble  yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand  of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time…”I Peter 5:6 CSB

First, I must HUMBLE myself. Whenever I think that I can take on a roaring lion in my own strength, I am setting myself up for a rude awakening. My victory over sin, self, and the devil is not found in my actions. Rather, my victory is anchored fully in the cross of Jesus Christ and His resurrection! We overcome the enemy of our souls by the blood of the Lamb and not by any other means! (Revelation 12:11). When we realize that our victory is in Christ alone, we position ourselves in the correct attitude of humility!

“…Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7 CSB

Second, I need to PRAY! When Jesus faced the cross, He won His victory in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed! When Jesus found the disciples asleep, he exhorted them with these words…

“Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 CSB

“Be sober-minded,  be alert…” 1 Peter 5:8 (Peter is echoing the words of Jesus!)

Prayer is the exhale of humility. When we realize that we are inadequate within ourselves, the natural response is to call upon the One who is fully capable. What a wonderful call with a wonderful promise – “…casting all your cares upon Him, BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU!” We are not alone! We have an advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous! He is our victory, and He is attentive to our prayers. When we cast our cares upon Him, He stands between us and the roaring lion!

The roaring lion is powerless in the face of the Risen Christ!

“Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,  will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever.  Amen.” I Peter 5:9-11 CSB

Finally, we must realize that we are NOT IN THIS FIGHT ALONE! Everyone is facing a roaring lion. We are not being singled out. Our suffering and struggle are not unique. And, we are not alone! (Read Hebrews 11 – 12) This is where the church is so important. As we confess our faults (weaknesses, struggles, battles) one to another, as we pray for one another (call upon the name of the Lord together), we find grace in our time of struggle and victory! (James 5:16)

God is faithful! He will not allow us to be tempted or tried above what we, in Christ, can withstand. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Jesus is our way of escape! Humility is our pathway! And prayer is the key. As we stand in Christ, as we draw upon the grace of God, as we continue in faith and prayer, something wonderful happens.

“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,  will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever.  Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11CSB

“WILL HIMSELF!”

What powerful words. What chance does a roaring lion have against the God of all Creation! What victory does the enemy have against the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? And, what overwhelming assurance do we have as we humble ourselves, cast our cares upon Him, pray for one another, and continue in faith! The God of all Grace is on our side!

“What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” Romans 8:31-32 CSB

“He who calls you is faithful; He will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 CSB

“…Will Himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To HIM be dominion forever!” I Peter 5:10-11 CSB

I would rather there were no roaring lions. There is a day coming when this old lion, the enemy of our souls, the accuser of the brethren, will be cast into his final cage. (Revelation 20:10) Yet, until that time, we can resist him, steadfast in our faith, casting our cares upon him, standing in faith with our brothers and sisters in Christ, positioned in the victory of the Cross of Jesus Christ, and resting in His faithfulness and promise.

He has called and destined us to eternal glory…and, by His Grace, we are going to make it!

In Jesus’ Name!