Mature Thinking
Thoughts About the Tempter – Part 3

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:8

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The Apostle Peter’s admonishment to all believers is: “Resist him.” The New Living Translation says it this way: “Stand firm against him.” Both ways get to the heart of the original language used. The apostle is telling us that we can win; we need not fear the battle.

Peter wanted his readers to understand that the attacks from the evil one are universal to all believers. All Christ followers are subject to the ongoing attacks of the devil; he spares no one. As you battle temptation, understand that you can defeat the tempter who is trying to lure you into sin. The temptation looks so appealing but has disastrous long-term effects on us. The Bible admits that sin can be pleasurable, but only for a season—a short time. All sin, if it’s truly sin, is like a good tasting poison; it will bring death eventually!

For Christ followers, we have the Holy Spirit to help us and we can win. The Apostle James reminds us that if we resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). Resisting is not a small, one time effort on the believers’ part. Resisting is setting oneself up against the devil, ready to fight for as long as it takes. Our weapons are sincere prayers and quoting scriptures. We use the name of Jesus as we fight against the evil one. Yes, with these weapons, the devil will flee. We are victors in Jesus!

Father, I claim victory before I go into battle because of your power and strength in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.