1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Be sober. Another way of saying this is that we are to be self-controlled.
To be self-controlled means that we show or exercise restraint over our impulses, emotions, or desires.
Additionally, the verse above tells us that we are to be vigilant. This means that we are to be alert and watchful.
These two things that are mentioned (being sober and vigilant) are what will help us be ready for our adversary.
The devil is always on the prowl. He is constantly in roaming, seeking and devouring mode.
People may think, ”oh, that’s not positive talk. We like to hear about the good stuff. We like talking about the blessings of God”.
We do too!
But if we don’t learn about our enemy, who he is and what he is about, we will not beat him at his game.
I want to win, don’t you?
So, let’s break him down a bit more, so we can be sure to understand who he is.
John 8:44 (NKJV) 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Here we see he is a murderer and a liar.
He will take our life from us and not even blink an eye. He will lie to us over and over, making us think something is true. But like John 8:44 says, there is no truth in him.
Matthew 4:1 (NKJV) 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
The devil is a tempter!
He tempted God’s Son, Jesus Christ, in the wilderness during a very crucial time in His life, right at the beginning of His ministry.
He was there in the wilderness, trying to stop Jesus from walking out His purpose. He didn’t wait for the most opportune time. He just made sure he was there.
If he will tempt Jesus and not have a problem with it, he will tempt us that much more, and never even blink an eye!
He is a thief.
He will steal anything he can from us; our children, our home, our marriage, our health. And most importantly, he will work really hard to try to steal our relationship with God.
How do we defeat him? We will tell you in one word; resist!
James 4:7 (NKJV) 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Now, we can’t do this on our own. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we resist him and everything he tries to do to us.
The Holy Spirit will give us strength to overcome his attacks by helping us be self-controlled and watchful! Amen.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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