1 Peter 5:8-9: Be Watchful

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils,” wrote C. S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters.

“One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them,” Lewis warned. “They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”

Lewis’ admonishment follows a Biblical injunction by the apostle Peter in a passage every Christians should seriously ponder.

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

# The Devil’s Reality.

When asked about the Devil’s existence, D. L. Moody replied, “I believe Satan exists for two reasons: first, the Bible says so, and second, I’ve done business with him.” No one knew that better than Peter.

Jesus had warned Peter that Satan sought to sift him like wheat (Lk. 21:31-32). Yet, that same night Peter denied Jesus, not just once, but three times. Yes, Peter, like the rest of us have done business with the Devil.

#2 Recognizing the Devil’s Dangerous.

The Devil is called our adversary. The original word was used to refer to an opponent in a lawsuit. He’s our enemy. Our antagonist. Our accuser (Rev. 12:10).
The Bible also identifies and describes the Devil as…

…The Evil One (Matt. 13:19).
…The Temper (Matt. 4:3).
…The Ruler of Demons (Matt 9:34).
…The Father of Lies (Jn. 8:44).
…The Old Serpent (Rev. 12:9).
…The Great Dragon (Rev. 12:9)
…The Deceiver of the Whole World (Rev. 12:9)

Of course, our text uses a graphic description of “a roaring lion.” He’s like a lion on the prowl. Stalking his prey. Seeking to devour. Hungry. Ferocious. And voracious.

Take the Devil seriously. Don’t underestimate his influence. Or belittle his impact. Or mock his presence.

Be alert. Be aware. Be watchful. Be on guard.

#3 Resisting the Devil’s Devices

The devil is devious. Deceptive. Duplicitous. Consider these three devices he uses.

He Amuses. Satan has always been the master of amusement, entertainment and pleasure. He deceived Eve into disobeying God by eating the forbidden fruit. It was good to eat and pleasant to the eyes.

The great deceiver says, “There’s no harm in looking!” Enjoying. Nibbling! He amuses us today through TV shows that glorifies immorality and carnality. He presents them as pleasurable and certainly preferable to abstinence, self discipline and sobriety.

He piques our curiosity for carnal pleasures through the internet. Through movies he titillates the senses. Through romance novels he feeds the lurid imagination. Through music he mocks our morals.

He Excuses. The Devil will allure you to find alibis for disobeying God’s Word, for neglecting his work, and for seeking the secular instead of the spiritual. “I’m too busy.” “I don’t have any talent” “Someone else could do a better job.” “I’m too young…too old.” “We’ve got other obligations.” “I’ll do more when the kids are grown” “I have more time, more money, when work slows down, when the economy gets better, when I retire..”

And the list of excuses goes on. And on. And Satan smiles gleefully!

He Infuses. Really? Can the devil do that? John 13:2 says the Devil had entered the heart of Judas. He filled it with greed. Corruption. Betrayal, Of course, he can’t do it without your permission. But when our hearts are unprotected from his devices, and susceptible to sin, we are vulnerable.

He infuses our minds with doubt. Doubting God. Doubting His Word. Doubting His promises

Discouragement is another device of the devil. He loves to infuse our hearts with emotions that drain us. Wear us down. Cause us to give up. Or give out. Discouragement erodes our self esteem, weakens our resolve, and diminishes our defenses.

This spiritual predator may fill our hearts with pride that leads to over confidence. Selfishness. Reliance on our own abilities rather than God’s. Pride precedes our fall. And is predictive of our failure.

How do we defeat the devil? Be aware of his devices. Be alert to his tactics. Be awake to his schemes And then follow the advice of James.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:7-8).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman