Verse of the Day 9/16

Verse of the Day 9/16

 

1 Peter 5:8-9    Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For today's verses we'll return to 1 Peter chapter 5 to those that immediately followed yesterday's verses about "humbling" ourselves before God and cast our cares upon Him and He will lift you up because He cares for you.  Today's verses remind us that the devil, Satan, is real and that he is on the prowl.

 

Back in the 60's, comedian Flip Wilson made a living joking about how "the devil made me do it".  When asked what most people think of when they hear about the devil, many will think of the caricature/cartoon of the man in the read suit, horns and a pitch fork.  Many would dismiss him as a fictional character with no real power or influence.  Others will use him as the excuse for anything wrong that they do, something similar to what was expressed by Flip Wilson, "the devil made me do it".

 

The verse first calls and challenges us to be sober, to think clearly and seriously about this.  He is real, he is an adversary and accuser and we have to be on the lookout for his temptations.  He preys upon the weak, he preys upon our weaknesses.  Think about the roaring lion.  He is not using stealth in sneaking up, he is roaring, his voice putting fear into his adversaries and he looks for those who are in a weakened state to be the easiest to pick of and to deceive.

 

If he comes after us, we need to realize that we are not the only ones going through what we are experiencing.  Others have and are going through the same thing.  There is strength in numbers and strength in having like minded believers to encourage, comfort and sometimes challenge us to hold onto what we believe without wavering.

 

When the devil approaches us, roars at us, we do have a way out.  The Apostle Paul writes:

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.  New Living Translation

 

As you head out into the world today, be sober minded, be aware of the devils tricks, and if he tries to deceive you remember to resist him, firm in your faith, and that the Lord is the faithful one who will show you a way out.

 

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Peter 5:6-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. ⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers^[a] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

¹⁰ In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. ¹¹ All power to him forever! Amen.