THE REAL ENEMY
1 PETER 5:6-11
How many times do you find yourself watching a news show and hearing about some horrible sin done to another person, or some injustice in our country, or another devious plot to undermine our Christian foundations in this country? As you hear the details you either lash out at some legislator, or become angry toward the person committing the crime, or want to do some-thing to change our country. Many times our thoughts and actions are focused on the wrong thing. We sometimes believe erroneously that politics will change our country. If we just had the right man in a particular office, or if we could get this law passed, or if more people would vote, etc.
In Peter’s day the worst possible political situation existed to the detriment of Christians. Nero ruled in Rome and persecuted believers. Certainly, those saints thought like us today, “If only we had the right person in office we would not be persecuted.” Yet Nero, Roman rule, corrupt legislators, or a political party are not the real problem. In this passage Peter reminds his readers that they, as we, are in a spiritual war. Every lost person lives under the dominion of Satan, in darkness, dead, and depraved. They are his pawns simply carrying out his plan against Christ and the church.
Peter wants to remind us of three important truths in dealing with the god of this world. First, we need to know the diabolic scheme of the devil in verse 8. Secondly, we need to apply the decreed strategy against the devil (v. 6-9). Finally, we need to rest in the divine sovereignty over the devil (v.10-11).
I. THE DIABOLIC SCHEME OF THE DEVIL v. 8
Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” One of his schemes involves deception and craft as recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:1-3. He desires to lead us astray from the simplicity which is in Christ. Later, in verses 13-15, Paul refers to Satan as an angel of light just like the false teachers. He is the accuser of the brethren (Zech. 3:1-7; Rev. 12:10). Here Peter warns about the prowling about of the devilish roaring lion who wants to devour Christians. In the context, the devil is the one behind the persecution of the saints.
This scheme is not new. Satan first attacked a true believer with Job. In the New Testament the devil attacked Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 with a thorn in the flesh. It was Satan who hindered Paul from coming to visit the Christians at Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:18). Persecution itself is attributed to Satan in Revelations 2:10, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.”
The roaring lion seeks to devour believers. The word “devour” means “to drink down or to gulp entirely.” One has said concerning the lion who roars, “This is the older lion that cannot chase his prey. He has no teeth, but he can roar so as to chase the prey in the opposite direction, right into the jaws of the younger lions who have teeth.” We need to know that our enemy is behind suffering. He uses it to scare us into the jaws of worry, fear, unbelief, anger, depression, self-pity, etc.
BUT HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH THIS ENEMY?
II. THE DECREED STRATEGY AGAINST THE DEVIL v. 6-9
Three imperatives frame the strategy used in opposition to our enemy.
A. The Command for Humbleness v. 6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,…”
In verse five the groundwork is laid for humility in stating that God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud. “Therefore humble yourselves….” This command relates to the theme of suffering. To humble one’s self under the mighty hand of God is an act of surrender. If humility stands opposite pride, then taking this step involves renouncing our efforts to handle suffering, to accept the difficulty, and to cling totally to the Lord. Notice, this action is “under the mighty hand of God.” This expression occurs first in the Old Testament in reference to God’s ability to deliver (Ex. 3:19). It was used other times as well all in the Old Testament. The readers, being predominately Jewish, would know about the mighty hand of God. Most would equate His mighty hand with His ability to deliver, and therefore this would fit victory over the enemy here.
Do you want to see the devil flee? Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand. Admit your weakness, your lack of power, and your dependence upon the Lord. This represents humbling one’s self under God’s mighty hand.
Along with this humbling is a modifying participle, “casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” In this act of humility is the action of throwing or casting anxiety or cares upon the Lord. The two go together as one unified thought. In one sense we are under God’s hand in humility, and in another way we are throwing things upon the Lord. The word “casting” means “to throw upon.” Vincent says, “The aorist participle denoting an act once for all; throwing the whole life with its care on Him.” The word “anxiety” means “distraction, concerns, worry or anxiety.” It is the root word used in Matthew 6 in Jesus’ discussion about not taking thought for what you wear or eat. The word “all” captures as total casting upon the Lord. If one totally casts all upon the Lord then worry will not be a problem. Vincent says, ““Not every anxiety as it arises, for none will arise if this transference has been effectually made.”
Why should we cast it upon the Lord? The Lord cares for each of us. The word “cares” means “to be of interest or to be of concern.” Our “cares” become His, because His concern is for us. Two factors motivate the saint to humbleness. First, we are motivated by the capacity of God – His mighty hand. Secondly, we are motivated by the care of God – He cares for you.”
B. The Command for Alertness v. 8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert…”
These two imperatives combine for one command. The word “sober” means “abstain from wine and to watch.” The word “vigilant” means “to keep awake and to watch.” Thus both combine to emphasize the need for alertness when it comes to dealing with our enemy. Satan never sleeps. He and his minions continue day and night with schemes to bring us down, to swallow us entirely. Vigilance keeps our eyes on the Lord and always humble before Him. If not, pride, the very tool of the devil, will capture us. We cannot become lax, allowing little sins to erode our ability to be alert to his ploys.
C. The Commnd for Steadfastness v. 9 “But resist him, firm in your faith….”
The word “resist” speaks of “standing against or striving against.” The word “firm” means “strong, solid, or sure.” Robertson adds that it means “solid like a foundation.” The word “resist” is used in an exact way in James 4:7. Here the resistance is tied to a firm faith. The steadfast saint continues to trust and resist the enemy. In so doing, according to James 4:7, the devil will flee from you. The motivation to remain steadfast occurs in the last part of the verse. Other saints also suffer in the world and they remain steadfast.
III. THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE DEVIL v. 10-11
The jist of verse ten suggests that God uses the suffering for His continuing and completing work in each believer. This seems to fit based on the phrase, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace…will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Even though Satan attacks us through persecution, God, after we experience it, uses persecution for our good and His glory.
Notice the four-fold characteristics God accomplishes in our lives. First, God Himself will “perfect” us. This word means “to complete thoroughly, repair, mend, restore, or to fit and join together.” God uses these satanic attacks to put our lives back together as He intended for it to be in creating us. Next, the Lord confirms each one through the suffering. This refers “to set fast, turn resolutely, steadfastly set.” This word was used with Peter in Luke 22:32. The Lord told Peter after he denied Him three times that he would turn again and “strengthen” his brethren. The Lord Himself sets us fast or strengthens us. The third word is “strengthen,” which means “vigor of body or to confirm in spiritual knowledge and power.” The Lord Himself, Who is the God of all grace, will strengthen us after our suffering. Finally, the God of all grace will establish us. The word “establish” means “lay a basis for, to erect, to consolidate or lay foundation.” Vincent says, “Ground securely.” This word was used in Matthew 7:25 of one who “lays a foundation” of his house on a rock.
As a result of our suffering at the hands of Satan, we experience God’s grace to bring about these four aspects of our continual growth in the Lord. Thus we proclaim with Peter in verse 11, “To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
We need to know that at the center of persecution and assault upon Christians is the devil. We need to take steps of obedience to insure we avoid pride, stay alert and resist him by faith. Through it all we take courage in knowing that the Lord using Satan’s evil ploys will bring good out of it all.
