Shielded Day 4 Unmasking The Real Enemy: Digging Deeper
January 30, 2020
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
1 Peter 5:6-9
8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
The Original Intent
1) Why does the author call the readers to humble themselves (verse 6)?
The apostle Peter was writing to the Jewish people dispersed throughout Gentile lands. (1 Peter 1:1) In chapter 5 we find the central reason Peter had for writing the letter. In verse 12 he says he wrote, “in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God.” The exhortation he gives in verse 12 is a repeated thought from verse 9: “Stand firm” in it, which is the grace of God.
As Bible students, we note the “therefore” in verse 6 and should be careful to connect what is being said before this verse and connect it correctly to this verse. We humble ourselves “because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (verse 5)
By recognizing God’s sovereignty in our salvation and our sanctification (the process being made holy), we understand that everything we have is because of God’s grace, which is unmerited favor. Peter had learned it was better to humble himself before God than to be humbled by God. (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-74) There will be a day of reward. Maybe in this life, but definitely in the next. (James 4:6-10, James 1:9-12)
The Everyday Application
1) Why does the author call the readers to humble themselves (verse 6)?
One of my favorite passage of Scripture is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter 2, we learn about the humility of the perfect Son of God, who “emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when He had come as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.”
Paul goes on to say that the humble Christ was exalted by God to the highest place. (Philippians 2:9-11) Humbling ourselves is not simply thinking less of ourselves. Rather, it’s moment by moment thinking of ourselves less and thinking of God most.
Often, God opens doors to us as a reward of our humble obedience to Him and to following His call in our lives. We may even find ourselves in exalted positions with platforms and big opportunities to speak for Him. Along with this, we need to prepare ourselves that this will possibly lead to and demand much more humility as we depend on His grace to sustain us as serve Him.
The Original Intent
2) What does it mean that the devil is “prowling around”?
The prophet Isaiah revealed that Satan, who is the devil, was created by God, but turned against His authority (Isaiah 14:12-15) in search of his own. The New Testament tells us that at the present time, Satan leads the kingdom of evil (Matthew 25:41).
His power exists not only in the spiritual realm (Hell), but he’s also been allowed by God to roam the earth and wreak havoc until the appointed day when God will destroy him and his demons forever. (Hebrews 2:14-15, Revelation 20:7-9) Until that happens, Peter warned the believers the devil was not to be underestimated.
The devil’s power is limited, but he is attempting to steal, kill and destroy as many people as he can. (John 10:10) Even though he’s described as a lion, his ways are often subtle and cunning. In John 10, Jesus described Himself in comparison to the religious leaders.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd came to bring life. The enemy of life uses even those who claim to be of God to carry people away from the grace of God by telling them their morality (their works) can save them.
The Everyday Application
2) What does it mean that the devil is “prowling around”?
God has granted Satan some power in this world, though he is most certainly on God’s leash. In fact, his power does not control the grave even now. Even if Satan thought he had won when Judas betrayed Jesus, it was God who was in control to bring life to all of us!
John Piper said, “God uses demons to undo the design of the father of demons. God uses Satan to defeat the purposes of Satan. The death of Jesus disarmed Satan in his warfare against God’s people. It stripped him of his one damning weapon: unforgiven sin.
When Satan entered Judas, he signed his own death warrant with the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 2:14-16) The devil is prowling, yes. The devil has some power, yes. BUT death has NO power for the soul surrendered to Jesus! That’s why we can approach the throne of grace boldly (Hebrews 4:14-16) and cast all of our cares on God.
The Original Intent
3) How are we to encourage our hearts to resist sin and remain faithful amid suffering and evil?
We are challenged through Peter’s letter to resist the enemy’s schemes and stand firm in our faith because we have a family of Christians around the world who are experiencing hardship, temptation, and trials like we are. Peter reminded the believers that though it may not seem like it, there were many who followed God faithfully and endured suffering.
In Hebrews 12:1, the author writes something similar to Peter as he addressed the oppressed believers, reminding them of those who’d gone before them in faith, “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.”
Paul told the Corinthians it was important to remain humble, resist temptation, and remember it wasn’t uncommon to face hardship as a believer. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) We also do this by meeting together with one another and encouraging one another in obedience and faithfulness. (Hebrews 10:19-25)
The Everyday Application
3) How are we to encourage our hearts to resist sin and remain faithful amid suffering and evil?
We can cheerfully cease from endorsing ourselves because we have the assurance from God that He will exalt us, when the time is right. I can’t think of a better way to remind ourselves that Satan’s days are short-lived than the testimony of faithful saints who have endured in the fight against the devil’s schemes.
Several years ago, the words to this well-known hymn was slightly modernized by Brian Doerksen who had studied the history and possible meaning in the day it was written. I believe it communicates well what Luther was proclaiming:
A mighty fortress is our God, a stronghold never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe conspires to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with bitter hate,
On earth is not his equal.
If we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
unless God’s man is on our side – the man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
The Lord of Hosts, His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure;
God’s Word shall overthrow him.
That Word above all earthly powers is evermore abiding.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Jesus with us siding.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill, God’s truth is with us still
His kingdom is forever.
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