1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
I must be honest with you, I’m very biased against Satan. I’ve heard Satan in my head on only one occasion and was fortunate enough to survive it. I now know his voice. Satan assaults our mind when we’re under great emotional stress or weakened through alcohol or drug use to the point where we don’t think very clearly. Satan will always urge us to do something stupid and destructive that will harm us or others because he hates us and his sole purpose is our destruction. Satan never sleeps and either he or his demons watch us constantly, always looking for some weakness and an opportunity to strike out at us.
The Apostle Peter knew Satan well and in the above verse gives us good advice. “Be sober,” means don’t get drunk or take any medication, drugs or anything else that’ll dull your mind and prevent you from adequately recognizing and defending yourself against Satan’s mental assault. “Be vigilant,” means to be constantly on your guard, always on the lookout for Satan, expecting him at any time and being ready for him when he does show up. Don’t be lukewarm about Satan. God hates Satan and so should you. If you always strive to love what God loves and hate what God hates you know you’re in good company. This mantra will help keep you on the right path in your walk with God.
How do we defend against Satan? By learning all we can about Satan and his tactics from God’s Word so we can defend ourselves against the forces of darkness. One of the reasons God gave us the Bible was for our protection from the evil one and his minions. For those who have eyes let them read and understand what I’m saying. The Bible’s message about Satan is clear. Satan is the polar opposite of God. The goodness of God knows no bounds and the evil of Satan also knows no bounds. Satan is a thief, a liar, and a destroyer. If God didn’t place a restraining hand on Satan to hold him back he’d kill every man, woman and child on earth within 48 hours. Satan’s greatest tactic by far is to convince us he doesn’t exist. If that doesn’t work Satan next tries to convince us he means us no harm. Both of those ploys of Satan are nothing but lies. Satan hates us because we are loved by God. Satan can’t touch God so he seeks to destroy us, God’s beloved children.
In the previous blog we read scriptures penned by two of Jesus’ disciples, Mark and Luke, several of the Apostles, and two of Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, and they all confirmed the existence of Satan. Don’t believe Satan exists just because I say so but because God, Jesus and the Bible confirm it. If you believe in God and his Son Jesus Christ, then believe what they have to say about the wicked one. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, mentioned Satan at least fifteen times during his ministry. Jesus was God come to earth in the flesh. Christians who profess to believe in God and his Word can’t deny the existence of Satan. If they do they aren’t reading their Bibles and paying attention to what Jesus had to say on the subject. Anyone who denies the holy scriptures contained in God’s Word also denies the testimony of the Savior himself and will face the wrath of God on the last day.
Matthew 4:10 – (Jesus speaking) – Away with you Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”
Matthew 16:23 – (Jesus speaking to Peter) – Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.
Matthew 25:41 – (Jesus speaking) – Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Luke 10:18 – (Jesus speaking) – I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Luke 22:31 – (Jesus speaking to Peter) – Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
John 6:70 – (Jesus speaking) – Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
John 8:44 – (Jesus speaking) – You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.