What to do with the devil, and how to do it.

1st Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1st Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Peter moves from the call to humility and the reception of grace from God, to how we posture our lives in light of the devil who is seeking whom he may devour. 

First of all, he says to be sober, be vigilant. Or be self controlled and alert. When we are out of control, it's easy to get tripped up, and do things that one later regrets, and or at the same time becomes less strong against spiritual darkness, and is an easy target for the devil's attacks and temptations. Being alert is a companion strength to self control. Paying attention is needful. Both of these are the basis of how we are to deal with the devil. 

Peter then explains that we have an adversary, the devil, who is our enemy, also called the slanderer, is always actively seeking an opportunity for a vicious attack against us. And, this is why we need to be sober and alert. In other words we need to be on our guard as it were. 

What satan wants to do is to devour the Christian, that is to destroy the work of God in his or her life. He wants to stop any progress towards spiritual growth and maturity. He is a fruit devourer. 

Here's what else to do....it's a short sentence concept and action to take. "Resist him, steadfast in the faith"

 We are to stand immovable against him, by being rock solid in our faith. In other words the best defense against satan, is a consistent walk with the Lord. Be steadfast in the faith, in your faith. Be firm, solid, hard, rigid. Walk with the Lord, that's how you stand against the enemy. 

Finally, Peter brings in what his readers knew, or were coming to know, and that is, the same kinds of sufferings were going on in the lives of other christians in other parts of the world. 

In life, it often helps to know that other people go through the same things. And, so often when we are suffering, we forget that others are also. We tend to think that no one knows the kind of trouble I'm going through. But, when you do meet someone who has a similar trial and challenge, or is also suffering in some painful way much as you are, there is a comfort and encouragement found there. Thus, Peter says, "your not the only one" etc.

So, while it's true the devil and his angels are tricky and deceitful, it's no secret as to how we are to deal with him. To sum it up then........

1. Be sober, or self controlled.

2. Be alert, and aware.

3. Resist the devil by being stedfast in your faith. 

4. Remember, other christians are also going through it. 

Well Lord, once again, Your Word is so simple and yet true. Thank You for it. In Jesus name Amen...

Girding up our minds, and two other things to do.

See 1st Peter 1:13 

1Pet 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

In light of the Word of God, and the truth of Jesus Christ that has been brought to you says Peter, here's what to do. 

( by the way, the normal sequence of things in the Bible, seems to be, that first of all, God tells us what He has done for us, given to us, or will do for us, and then calls us to do something. First we receive what He has done, and then we can and ought to respond to what He is calling us to do. Such is the case here )

1. Gird up the loins of your mind. 

2. Be sober.

3. And rest your hope fully upon the grace that's coming.

What do these things mean? 

First of all, to gird up the loins of your mind, means, to be prepared. Taken from a custom of that day, to be able to be unimpeded in their movements, they were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened with a leather belt. 

So, the idea for us, is simply, that of being prepared as we follow Jesus.

Secondly, "Be sober" or Watch, be calm, and be collected in spirit. Be temperate in what you do. Be circumspect, ( or keep your guard, observe )

Don't be intoxicated by the world, and the things of the world. Keep a sober head and heart.

Thirdly, "rest your hope fully the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"  God has been gracious to you, and He is being gracious to you right now, but He is going to be gracious to you in the days ahead, at the revelation of Jesus Christ. What a moment that will be. 

We see Him through a glass darkly now, but then face to face, and we will know, even as we are known. We are going receive more grace, and will have that grace revealed to us, for all of eternity, ( of which there is no end. It will be a revelation of grace forever )

So, the idea here, is just rest in hope. And hope is a good resting place as we travel along this path to heaven. We can rest even while we walk and run. While we work, and battle. We can rest in hope. 

Thank You Father for these things given so clearly to us in Your Word. 

Application/Promises

1. God's Word is our roadmap for life

2. God's Word explains how to live and walk.

3. God's Word is full of comfort and hope.

4. God calls us to hear and do His Word.

5. Let's try and do these 3 things today.