How to Resist the Devil: Lessons from 1 Peter 5

This passage in 1 Peter 5:6-11 has been on my mind lately.How to avoid being devoured.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 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. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Verse 8 is a familiar verse. Our adversary is seeking someone to devour. But look at this in the context. Peter lets us know who is more likely to be devoured. Who is that? The one who is not humble, but prideful. Maybe you say, “the devil could never fool me.” Be humble and don’t think you could never be fooled.

What other times do we become an easy target? When we are anxious. Peter says to cast our anxieties on to the Lord. When we are anxious, we are afraid and worried. Often we are worried about the wrong things! Then in verse 8 he says to be sober-minded and watchful. In other words, we are to be paying attention. The predator seeks prey who is not paying attention. The one who thinks they will never be the prey is the first to be devoured.

When else are we susceptible to being devoured? When we think our situation is the worst of all. Peter reminds us that our suffering is common to the believer. We can become an easy target when we suffer. The best way to approach our suffering, is to keep our eyes on Jesus. Peter tells us that after “a little while” (who knows how long that may be) God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

So be humble, don’t be anxious, be watchful, and keep your eyes on Jesus. This is the best way to avoid being devoured by the enemy. Walk closely with Jesus. Know that you have an enemy. But, even more, know that Jesus is the victory!