Text: 1 Peter 5:1-14
Having called us to humility in our Christian living and service (vv. 1-7), Peter offers a very incisive and practical teaching on the nature of the devil, how he acts, and how Christians can prevail against him. Note what Peter points out as the single resource that alone can vanquish the devil in verse 9. Read Ephesians 6: 10-18 on this point, noting in that passage how Paul repeatedly calls upon his readers to stand firm against the devil in the evil day. Exercising the faith that God has given us and by which we are united to Christ in his victory over all the works of the devil (1 John 3:8, will not only sustain us, but will also compel Satan to flee from us (James 4:7). For by faith we not only perceive the prowling lion, but we behold and cleave to the Lion of Judah who has overcome the devil for us (Rev. 5: 5). The attitude of humility and trust in God does not mean that we sit back and do nothing. We must do something (vv. 8-12).
Meditate on verses 6-7. What does it mean to ‘humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand’? How are you going to apply these verses to your life? Think back over our studies in 1Peter. What are some of the key things you have learned?
What has really struck you?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me resist the devil and be steadfast in my faith. Amen.