1. OUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL
(1 Pet 5:5-9; John 8:44)

While the child of God is securely held by the Father's hand (John 10:28-29) nevertheless he is the target of attack by a deadly foe, the Devil or Satan. The Devil is the enemy of our souls, wily, restless, ruthless and powerful. Besides he is invisible, coming in disguise as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) when in fact he is a roaring lion. What do we know of the devil's works?

a) "Satan hath desired … sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31)

These were our Lord's prophetic words to Peter. Self-assured and haughty, Peter boasted that he was ready to die for the Lord. That very night he wilted under pressure and denied the Lord three times. "Sifted" by Satan, Peter stumbled and fell.

b) Satan "a murderer ... a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44)

"… (T)here is no truth in him ..." (John 8:44). The devil's business is to sow seeds of "murder" or hatred among the flock. He is "the accuser of the brethren" (Rev 12:10) as he accused Job before God (Job 1:9; 2:4-5). His one ambition is to spread lies and create discord among brethren and thus divide the church.

c) Source of false doctrines (1 Tim 4:1)

Satan's master stroke in the end time is to subvert the Church by sending forth "seducing spirits" to spread "doctrines of devils" and "damnable heresies" (2 Pet 2:1). By these falsehoods, the devil sows distrust against God, to turn men against their Maker, even as he did in the garden (Gen 3:1-5).

d) Source of "bitter envying and strife" (James 3:14-16)

When "bitter envying and strife" engage the minds of church members, it manifests that “wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” It leads to confusion and every evil work. At the root of the strife is pride which caused Satan's downfall (Isa 14:14-15; Ezek 28:17).

How should we conduct ourselves when confronted by Satan? ANSWER: Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

2. RESIST THE DEVIL
(1 Pet 5:5-14; James 4:7-10)

In the above reading we considered the devil's works which may be summarised as: a) implanting pride in the heart and b) creating doubt in God's Word. Out of these come all the evil works which create havoc in the church. The Apostle Peter (in 1 Peter 5:5-14) gives vital instruction which, if faithfully obeyed, will frustrate the devil and his evil purposes.

a) Mutual submission. This is the best "antidote" against pride, for pride is the great disturber and disrupter, the cause of bitter dissension and upheaval in the church. To preserve harmony, members of the church should practise mutual submission. Firstly, there is the submission due to the older and more mature member. Younger members should learn to submit, with due respect and reverence. Then there is the submission "one to another", the readiness to humble oneself to another with better grasp of the truth, or "in honour preferring one another", with a readiness to bear one another's burdens. Finally, "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

b) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, Whom resist stedfast in the faith ...” (1 Pet 5:8-9). Our wily foe is ever looking for an entry, some unguarded point, some weak spot. Even the most spiritual is not immune from attack. No one should assume that he is stronger than the adversary. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12). Eternal vigilance is the price of victory over Satan. The Apostle writes from bitter experience: "Be sober! Be temperate, self-controlled, not given to carnal passions or inordinate desires. Be vigilant! Be watchful and alert as one approaching impending danger." The enemy is nearer and smarter than we think.

Say no to him and every evil prompting that comes. Resist, and the devil will flee, frustrated and defeated.

KEYNOTE: To resist is to say no to the evil one.