“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.”
Read all of 1 Peter 5
What does the world do with a verse like this? Probably nothing. Depending how they see they world, they might think there’s no need to be alert and watchful. From their perspective they might think that Satan and evil beings don’t exist.
What do Christians do with a verse like this? It’s something we should think about. Sometimes Satan pretends to be an Angel of Light (see 2 Corinthians 10) and sounds almost Christian. He uses deception and seduction to fool people into thinking they’re with him on God’s side when they’re not. Of this sort are pastors who make you feel good about yourself and entice you with promises of wealth, success and happiness. They won’t tell you to deny yourself, take up your cross and be ready to suffer for Christ.
In Verses 8 and 9 we’re warned that sometimes Satan doesn’t pretend at all. He hates God and he hates devoted Christians (see Rev. 12:17). Sometimes he can ruthlessly persecute and crush them, seemingly at will. What should Christians do when confronted with evil in this way?
ANSWER: “Be watchful and sober minded.” “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” Stand against evil and the Evil One and you have done your job. In the last part of the verse he connects our trials to those of others around the world… and perhaps throughout history. With faithful devotion, God will be pleased to either rescue us or welcome us into his eternal kingdom. Those with genuine faith trust their heavenly Father to provide for them in this life and in the life to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment