Be Strong In Your Faith
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Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
Temptation comes in so many shapes, sizes, and disguises that we don’t always recognize it — even when it is staring us right in the face! In today’s verse, the Apostle Peter reminds believers that it is necessary to stay vigilant against the work of the enemy. This fits in with Barb’s message from yesterday in which James reminds us that God never tempts us; it’s our own desires and a lot of the devil’s doing that creates temptation.
When you’re faced with temptation, use your faith as a weapon to banish the devil back to the darkness. Tempted to tell a “little white lie” just because it’s convenient? Implore the Holy Spirit to keep your lips shut. Thinking some obscene thoughts because you just “checked out” that good-looking woman (or handsome man)? Remember that adultery (which can be considered illicit sex, prostitution, viewing pornography) is one of the items forbidden in the Ten Commandments, the original covenant with God. Looking at the Bible app on your smartphone is a better idea.
Do you find yourself tempted to steal something that you don’t have the money to purchase, or cheat on your taxes? Are you obsessed with a celebrity, sports team, or a shiny new car when you should be focused on Jesus? Thinking about lying to a cop or homeowner’s association to get your annoying neighbor in trouble? All of these are temptations, and they all end up in sin.
Peter also wanted to let the early Christians that they aren’t alone in being tempted. It’s something that is common to every believer, and the temptations are relentless. I personally find it useful to pray on Paul’s “Armor of God” as a way of building up my defenses against the attacks of the devil.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer: Lord, my promise to you is to fight the forces of evil at all times. Deliver me from Satan and any evil he wants to do in my life. He’s looking for a weakness he can exploit in me, Lord, so lead me away from his snares. When I feel I’m the only one suffering through temptations, remind me that all my Christian brothers and sisters are also suffering. Give me the power to endure and resist temptation! In the holy name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.