When Peter penned the following words, he was being directed by the Holy Spirit to give a warning to Christians. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8, 9). While those in the world may not care about this warning, the child of God should treat it seriously.
The attacks made by Satan come many times when we are not expecting them. He knows the times when we are weak and vulnerable. If we always were on guard, as if a real lion was trying to get at us, the attacks would not be as successful.
The Bible shows us many examples of times when people were attacked and overcome by Satan. For instance, when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, Satan attacked.
Can you imagine the beauty and serenity of this place, a place that God had created and said was good? Yet into this glorious garden Satan came seeking to destroy God’s creation. His talk with mother Eve led to her sinning against God and in her being a stumbling block to Adam. Satan appealed to her just as he appeals to man today, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life.
Today, Satan employs man’s modern conveniences to entrap and devour his prey. Television and movies today seldom are found to be without vulgar and filthy language. The works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19ff) seem to make up the biggest part of the scripts of most shows today. The Internet, while a useful tool for good, also can be used as a snare of Satan. Parents need to be aware of what their children are “surfing” on the Web, and Christian adults need to be aware less they also are overcome by the lust of the flesh.
In every life, there comes times of weariness. It might be during periods of great trials that our faith begins to weaken – beware – Satan will be there at those times.
James wrote about the importance of vigilance during such times: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing … Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:2 -12).
Just as Jesus used scripture to overcome Satan when he was tempted, so should we; for if the word of God is a part of us, we will have an answer to Satan when he attacks.
Many times in weariness, Christians fail to follow other advice Peter gave: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Christians can know that they are not alone, for God is with them, and there are brothers and sisters in Christ that are there for them.
Satan wants us to feel alone in times of weariness, but is as when Elijah felt so alone, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). We are not alone. Faithful Christians stand ready to help “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2).
We must never give up and give in to Satan. We must be faithful students of God’s word to build up and maintain our faith in God so that we can stand against Satan.