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BE SOBER BE VIGILANT BIBLE STUDY
YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL BIBLE VERSE
Welcome back to
Daily Bread, and the concluding chapter of Peter's first epistle. In the
first chapter of this letter, as you may recall, Peter was addressing this
writing to believing Jewish people who were not living in Israel, however,
if you're reading this letter before you read what Paul wrote in
2 Timothy 3:16,
let me tell you what he said. Paul said:
All
scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect (complete),
thoroughly furnished (prepared) unto all good works.
Peter will be talking
about this a little bit more in his second epistle as well, so just in case
you didn't know, this letter is really addressed to anyone, anywhere,
anytime.
BE SOBER BE VIGILANT CONCERN
YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WARNING
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1
Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour... |
Now, let's also
refresh our memories a little bit about the character of Peter. Who is this
person who is giving us this advice? Well, he's one of Jesus' twelve
Apostles, who will sit on a throne in Jesus' kingdom judging the twelve
tribes of Israel. He is the one that Jesus said would be called Cephas,
which means, Rock, and Jesus said he would be the rock upon which Jesus
would build His church. Jesus told Peter that He would give him the keys to
the kingdom of Heaven, and said, that whoever Peter found innocent on earth
would be found innocent in Heaven and whoever he held as bound (guilty) on
earth, would be held bound in Heaven. That's why people imagine Peter at the
gates of Heaven, with the authority of deciding who enters and who doesn't.
Peter is the
Apostle who walked on water to Jesus. He is also the Apostle who denied
Jesus three times the night of Jesus' arrest. Peter jumped from a fishing
boat and swam to shore when Jesus appeared to the Apostles on the shore one
morning after His resurrection. Peter's shadow healed people. An Angel of
God freed Peter when He was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. Peter was
the one who had the vision of the sheet, with the message of God, saying
that the Gentiles were now accepted by God. Peter indeed started the
foundation of the church. He has some impressive credentials, and he has
genuine human qualities as well. He spent 3½ years with Jesus, at His side,
ministering to Him, learning from Him, loving Him. Let's go ahead and read
what else he has to share with us now.
I, who am an
elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the
glory that will be revealed, urge the elders among you to
feed the flock of God
which is among you, taking responsibility for them, not being forced, but
willingly, not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind, neither as being
lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
Remember when Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep (John
21:15-17)? Now, Peter is passing on the privilege to us. He goes on:
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you will receive a crown of glory that
doesn't fade away.
Likewise you
younger people, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you, be subject
one to another, and be clothed with humility, because God resists the proud,
and gives Grace to the humble.
This is truly something that young people
have forgotten how to do. The world has made it cool to be disrespectful,
and peers encourage this kind of behavior everywhere. It's absolutely
astounding how children talk to their teachers, their relatives, their
coaches, their parents ... And the list goes on. Peter would be horrified.
He says:
Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He
may raise you up in due time, laying all your cares on Him, because He cares
for you.
BE SOBER BE VIGILANT TRUTH
YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL DANGER
Many of us can use
this advice about being humble, ourselves, and then our examples to our
children may make some difference. A little weed, if it's not pulled when
it's little, can become a tree that's next to impossible to get rid of.
Now, Peter gives
some great advice, that you may want to take to heart, because a lot of
folks don't really believe that it's true, but it really is. He says ...
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring
lion, walks around, seeking whom he may devour.
If you've read the
Book of Job, you know that
this is true. And the movies that you see with spirits lurking around, which
seem so much like science fiction, are not really so far fetched. They're
really waiting for every weak moment that you have as an opportunity to
pounce. You can't see them, that's why many don't believe it, but you can't
see the wind either. You can't see love. You can't see heat or cold. Yet you
believe in all those things. They're out there searching. It is not pleasant
to imagine but it is TRUTH that there are
evil spirits
that seek to have you fail.
However we have been given power over these evil
spirits but rejoice not in that TRUTH but that our names are written in the
book of life. (Luke
10:19-20)
No, it is best not to open the door to evil spirits by way of
fear, doubt, pride, anger, lust etc., ... But rather, ponder on the
Holy Spirit
as He is the comforter of our souls.
Peter says:
Resist these imps with strong Faith, knowing that other Christians in the world are
being pursued by these rascals as well. But the God of all
Grace, who has called
us to share His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a
while, make you perfect (complete), establish (confirm), strengthen and
settle (comfort) you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
BE SOBER BE VIGILANT SUMMARY
GOD'S GRACE KEEPS YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL AWAY
In closing, the letter says ...
(Penned) by Silvanus, (Peter dictated the letter and Silvanus wrote it) a
faithful brother to you, as I believe, I have written briefly, encouraging,
and testifying that this is the true Grace of God wherein you stand. The
Church that is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does
Marcus, my son. Greet one another with a kiss of charity (love). Peace be
with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
What a wonderful
letter! Don't you wish you could receive a letter like that? Well, guess
what ... You just did! Whenever you receive a letter, you probably usually
read it at least twice, to make sure you didn't miss anything. Well, just
put a little "Dear Your Name Here" at the beginning of any of the
letters in the Bible, and read them again. You'll find that you've really
missed a lot reading them through only once. Congratulations on completing
The First Epistle of Peter with Daily Bread. As always, can't wait to have
you join again for more, so be sure to come on back 'cause we've got more
mail for ya! Next time we'll be opening The Second Epistle of Peter at
Daily Bread. See you then!
CONTINUE TO THE NEXT STUDY
Spirit of Truth