SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Peter 5:9a

1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

In our previous devotions in our series we have seen our need, as God’s people, to keep their fleshly desires under control and always be on the aware of what is taking place in our lives.  This is because Satan uses many different devices to attempt to lead us into unfaithfulness.   By being unfaithful to our call and allowing other forms of sin in our life, it gives Satan more ammunition to vainly attempt undo the work of Christ on the cross and to falsely accuse us before God.  This explains why we are told to resist Satan’s workings in our life…  “whom resist stedfast in the faith”. 

How is this resistance to take place?  We are to resist “in the faith”.  This refers to two different aspects of our Christian walk, both of which are mentioned in the context of overcoming Satan and sinful world in 1 John 2:12-17 (KJV)…  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one…I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.…For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.(See also 1 John 5:3-5)

Please notice the two-fold faith that gives us victory over Satan:

1.  First, OUR SAVING FAITH IN CHRIST through which we have forgiveness and a relationship with God, also gives us the victory over Satan… “your sins are forgiven you”… “ye have known him”.

2.  Second, notice that our faith also refers to the application of THE TRUTHS FOUND IN GOD’S WORD that are also attributed to Satan’s defeat. “the Word of God abideth in you”

Both of these principles are combined in the last verse of this text, when this sinful world and our sinful lusts are defeated when we “doeth the will of God”.   To do God’s will involves an exercise of faith by applying the truths of His Word to our lives and actions.

This is what is meant by resisting Satan “in the faith”.  In other words, trusting the Lord in our day to day walk and being equipped with God’s Word as the offensive weapon we can use to recognize Satan’s workings and fight against His attacks.  Eph 6:10-17 (KJV)…

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:…”

Let us be continually trusting our Lord, equipped with His Word, as we seek to resist the workings of Satan in our lives.   We can never defeat Satan of our own ability, power, or merit.  But by God’s grace through His active intervention in our lives and the application of His Word we can be more than conquerors!

May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.

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