Our Roaring Enemy

Introduction

Once again, we come to a passage that many of us (myself included) do not like. Peter understood something that we need to be reminded of every day of our lives. Peter wants to remind us that we are in a battle!

If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to 1 Peter chapter 5. We will begin our reading today with verse 8.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV84

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

We Have An Enemy

Peter begins by reminding his readers of two characteristics that each follower of Jesus must possess.

Be Self-Controlled

The idea of self-controlled is sober-minded, or well composed in mind.

Alert

This has the meaning of awake, or paying attention.

Peter stresses that the followers of Jesus to pay attention while keeping themselves under control. Think about it this way, In the middle of battle we are to keep alert, and keep our heads!

Our Enemy

There is an important reason why we do this! Peter says it is because we have an enemy!

The word enemy has the meaning of adversary, accuser, or opponent. Listen to what A. W. Tozer, the 20 century theologian wrote,

“To avoid spiritual confusion, we need to understand the difference between an enemy and an adversary. An enemy is hostile toward us. This enemy, however, can be temporarily inactive. . .An adversary is an enemy in active opposition.” (A.W. Tozer, “A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night;” pp. 48-49)

Peter tells his reader exactly who our enemy is! Our enemy is the devil—or Satan! He has NOT taken a break from trying to devour us—he is an “Adversary!” Actively seeking to destroy us!

Peter, then tells us that our enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour!

There’s an interesting thing about lions. When they are on the hunt, they seldom roar—but when they are satisfied, they can roar so loud that their roar that can be heard as far as 2 miles away!

Today, in America, I believe Satan is roaring. I believe he is satisfied with his work in destroying Christians. I believe is satisfied because he had caused us to believe a lie—he makes us believe we are not in a battle.

Again I turn to the the words of A.W. Tozer, “We cannot live the Christian life and expect we will never be opposed. There is so much opposition to Christianity in the world, and it has been that way since the beginning.” (Ibid. pp. 48)

Peter tells us that our battle with Satan requires us to:

1 Peter 5:9 NIV84

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Resist the devil!

The word resist means we need to set up against Satan, we are to be hostile, oppose and hold our ground.

How well do you resist? If I’m honest, I don’t resist very well. I tend to take the easy way out. I stop sharing Jesus when someone tells me it’s not politically correct. I tend to stop calling sin when the idea “offends” someone. And If I’m honest, there are many times when I cave to sin!

We—you and me—we must RESIST!

Stand Firm

Remember, Peter has said that we have an enemy, and we’re in a battle! That is why he tells us we need to be immovable! We need to hold our ground!

Remember!

Peter tells us to think about our brothers and sisters throughout the world who are also undergoing suffering for the name of Jesus. We can resist Satan, and we can stand firm because we remember!

Here in America we have been blessed for more than 200 years with religious freedom! For most of those 200+ years followers of Jesus have enjoyed a freedom from religious persecution.

But today we need to remember. Take a look at Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and you will be reminded of men and women of God who were violently opposed by Satan and the world!

1 Peter 5:10 NIV84

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

The Result of Suffering

Draws Us to God

Peter says, “And the God of all grace. . .after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you.”

Makes Us Strong

Peter tells us that through our sufferings God will make us strong. “. . .and make you strong”.

Makes Us Firm & Steadfast

Finally, Peter tells us through our sufferings God will make us firm and steadfast—immovable!

Doxology

Peter closes this section with a doxology!

1 Peter 5:11 NIV84

To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter wants his reader to join him in a wonderful praise to God. To Him, to God who restores us, makes us strong, firm and steadfast—to that one we acknowledge His Power. And His power lasts for ever and ever. And Peter closes this passage with the affirmation Amen—may it be so!

The Closing

Peter closes his letter with greeting from those who have been working with him.

SO WHAT!

As we close this morning, I want us to come back to ______ points!

It’s time for us to wake up—to be self-controlled and alert. We are in a battle!

Our enemy is three fold:

Satan—the roaring lion. Which this passage focuses on.

Sin—James says our own lust entice us.

James 1:14 NIV84

but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

The World Around Us—we don’t think about this, but the world, its ideology, way of life, and desires ALL stand in opposition to the true Gospel of Jesus!

We need to learn how to resist—this is something that we must do. Hebrews tells us that we have not resisted enough.

Hebrews 12:4 NIV84

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

We need to stand firm in the faith. We need to understand that God’s promises are for us!

If God worked in a way in the past—He can work that way with you. If God promised it in the past the promise is true for you. But we—you and I—need to follow God obediently, in stand firm no matter what comes our way.

The God of all grace will restore us to Himself.

The God of all grace will make you strong.

And the God of all grace will make you firm and steadfast!

None of us like to think about suffering. Many of us want to believe the United States of America will always enjoy the freedoms we have celebrated for more than 200 years. Unfortunately, I don’t believe this is true. What we do in the midst of opposition and suffering either demonstrates our trust in Almighty God, or it is a declaration that our enemy has won!

So this morning, I leave you with a poem that was written by the pastor and Holocaust survivor, Martin Niemöller.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

While there are variances of Niemöller’s poem, the message is clear—We need about people—even the people with whom we find ourselves in opposition, and even if it causes us to suffer. Followers of Jesus need to stay strong in the midst of suffering for the sake of Jesus. And that is something that ALL of us—ever follower of Christ is called to. What about you?

[PRAYER]