We are Under Attack!

Hello my friends. Today I want to remind you of the spiritual battle that you are in. In 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) the apostle says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

Let's start at the end. Peter tells us that the same afflictions that we are going through are accomplished in our brethren that are in the world. You are not the only one experiencing these trials. Peter tells us that our adversary, the devil, is walking around looking for someone, anyone, that he can overcome. He is not that particular, although I do believe that he delights when he can sink his teeth into someone in a position of leadership and influence. But he will be content with destroying anyone. Any life that he can deceive, any life that he can destroy, any life that he can play a part in its being cast down into the Lake of Fire will do.

He walks around seeking his prey. He is patient, willing to wait for the one opportune moment of weakness that he needs to overpower you. And not only is Satan patient, but he is also incredibly persistent. Just because he did not succeed in overpowering you today, does not mean that he will give up. Not at all. He will keep trying and trying for as long as he can.

The problem that many of us have is that although we know that our real enemy is the devil we sometimes forget and act as if it is someone else. Deep down inside we know it's the devil, but we still keep fighting each other. We blame the government, we think the fault is in the school system. We are convinced that the problem is with the Democrats or with the Republicans. The apostle Paul was absolutely right when he wrote in Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

What are we to do? Peter tells us to be sober, to be vigilant. The NIV puts it like this: "Be self-controlled and alert." When you lose self-control you become a likely candidate to be used by the enemy. But we are also to be alert. That means that we should stay awake and pay attention. Peter is telling us to "Wake Up!" because there is someone out there that is intent on destroying us.

The second thing that we must do is to be aware of the ways Satan will try to deceive you. In 2 Corinthians 2:11 the apostle Paul reminds us that we are not to be ignorant of the devil's schemes. He attacks us from the outside using people to come against us. But he also attacks us from the inside using things such as doubts, fear, and discouragement against us.

Lastly, let me remind you that we are to resist him, being steadfast in the faith. Never back down. Be strong and of good courage. In the fourth chapter of his epistle James tells us what will happen when we do. He says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7 (KJV).