A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Resist the Devil"

For most the word resist carries a negative connotation. When Scripture admonishes us to "resist the devil" (1 Peter 5:9) we get the mental image of a person standing tight-fisted, grit-teethed with their entire body tense ready to do heated battle with evil. There are times when this posture is necessary in order to resist evil's onslaught, but Scripture reveals that if positive, or pro-active steps are built into our daily lives we will not have to fight the grit-teethed tight-fisted battles anywhere near as often. This seems to be part of what Peter was trying to get across when we read verses 5 through 11. The devil is pictured as a "roaring lion" seeking to devour Christians. The lion roars to intimidate his prey. Unprepared Christians are easy prey. The prepared Christian is not intimidated by Satan's roar or taken by surprise by his schemes. Therefore, we need to learn and put into practice the divine instruction found here in 1 Peter so that we are prepared.

Rather than taking a defensive posture we can be pro-active. This passage (1 Peter 5:5-11) gives us some crucial and necessary pro-active actions which keep us from being devoured. They include, in order they are found in the passage, submission and humility to elders and fellow Christians, submission to God, casting all care upon God, and exercise self-controlled.

Somehow many have become convinced that we must make our way alone. People just have to live their Christian life by themselves. They will have to make mistakes and find out for themselves. This misnomer is as deadly as the arrogance that I can make it on my own. I don't people to tell me how to live the Christian life. I can study the Bible myself and live for Jesus just fine alone. Both beliefs are far from the truth and certainly are not biblical. We must rediscover community. We need to submit to the wisdom and teaching of our older brothers and sisters in the Lord. We can save ourselves a great deal of pain, struggle, and failure by admitting our need and weakness, and leaning through others; submitting to the elders.

It is impossible for anyone to live the Christian life without submitting to God. But, how often do we go about our business ignoring God and His directives in Scripture. We need to be reminded we must submit to God who has a "mighty hand" that is able to "lift us up in due time." Our submission - obedience - to God and His Word places us in a position for His hand to lift us up when necessary.

Too often we bear our burdens and cares alone. We neglect taking them to the Lord. This Carrying them ourselves wearies us making us easy prey for the roaring lion. That is why this passage directs us to "cast all our anxiety on the Lord." We must throw our cares and burdens upon the Lord open palmed as fisherman casting the fishing net into the lake from the shore. All our cares. None are to be held back and handled by ourselves. He cares for us and we need not hesitate to thrust ourselves with all our needs and burdens upon our Lord.

Self-control is made possible by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 tells us it is a "fruit of the Spirit." Resisting the devil requires self-control. Self-control keeps us alert to dangerous activities, subtle traps and unsafe places. Lack of self-control leaves vulnerable to the roaring lion. Life is not lived to the fullest by living without restraint and control. Self-control, living within God's parameters, is one of our greatest protections against the roaring lion.

We need not fall prey to Satan and his schemes. We need not grit our teeth, clench our fists and dig in our heals trying to hold off the devil. Rather, beloved, let us live victoriously abundant lives putting these four pro-active steps into practice rejoicing in the wonderful knowledge that in Christ we are victorious over Satan.

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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