OUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL- -1 PETER 5:8

OUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL

1 PETER 5:8

Introduction:

This grave warning concerning the devil was given not only to young Christians who are easily subject to temptations, but also to “the elders which are among you” (v. 1). It often appears that Satan’s greatest victories are among those who should be aware of his works among men.

I. GIVING OCCASION TO BLASPHEME

A. David, the king of Israel was not occupied with the DANGERS OF TEMPTATION and FELL into Satan’s trap, 2 Samuel 12:13-14, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14- Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”

B. Christian leaders who are not wise regarding the adversary, Ephesians 5:15, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

1. Walk CIRCUMSPECTLY = cautiously, watchful on all sides, 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

2. Walk ACCURATELY as the Apostle’s teaching was accurate about Jesus Christ, Acts 18:25, “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”

C. Satan’s BUSINESS is to deceive the whole world, Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

1. Note his character:

a. The great dragon, Revelation 12:3, 7, And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 7- And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,”

b. That old (ancient) serpent, Genesis 3:1, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”

2. He is the great deceiver, 2 John 7, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

a. He tried to deceive some in the church in SMYRNA, Revelation 2:9, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”

b. He tried to deceive some in the church at PERGAMOS, Revelation 2:13, “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

c. He tried to deceive some in the church of THYATIRA, Revelation 2:24, “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.”

II. PETER COULD SPEAK FROM BITTER EXPERIENCE

A. The Lord had WARNED him, Luke 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat : 32- But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

B. Peter’s PRIDE has risen up in the form of SELF-CONFIDENCE, Luke 22:33, “And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”

C. Later it is Peter WARNING US of his bitter experience, 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

1. Be careful for the CARES of this life, Luke 21:34, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

a. He warns pastors of GREED, 1 Peter 5:2, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”

b. He warned them about PRIDE, 1 Peter 5:5-6, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

2. No Christian can allow Satan to get an ADVANTAGE, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

CONCLUSION

Though Satan is deceptive and powerful, we need never fall to his tempting if we simply do what James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”