Resisting the Devil “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 The Bible likens the devil to a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is the great deceiver who cunningly hunts his prey. He lies in wait, looking for opportunities to steal, kill, and destroy. Often he takes over our thoughts and lives so slyly that we hardly realize what has happened. But 1 Peter 5 goes on to say that if we resist the devil and stand firm in the faith, the God of all grace will restore us and make us strong and steadfast. So how do we resist this roaring lion? We do so by looking to Christ. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He met Satan’s twisted words and empty claims with the holy Word, “It is written.” Satan skewed Scripture in attempt to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus refuted him with truth. If we are students of God’s Word—hiding its precious promises in our hearts—we recognize when Scripture is misused or misinterpreted. Dependence on our own strength to resist evil will never work. Our only hope is to lean on our omnipotent Savior and the power of His Word. SF: Matthew 4:1-11 Insight: “I write to you… because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:14b) BIAY: Jeremiah 33-34 Psalm 119:65-120 1 Corinthians 12 |
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