Where Might The Devil Find You?

Barry G. Johnson, Sr. / www.BarrysBureau.com

Zoom Devotion / Satan; Safety / 1 Peter 5:8

Are you safe and where you should be so that the Devil will not devour you?

We've seen the nature shows where the Lion is lying in wait to pick off an unsuspecting little one who wanders off from the safety of the fold. We often find ourselves doing what we should not be doing, putting our souls and salvation in jeopardy.

The Apostle Peter warns his readers concerning the Devil.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

For example, in the beginning, he found Adam and Eve contemplating sin in the garden.

• Satan found Lot's wife longing for home and not for God and His Word.

• Satan found Abraham fearful for his life when he and Sarah were traveling.

• The Devil found Samson in the arms of pagan and immoral women.

• The Devil found David on the balcony in idle time he inappropriately made for himself.

• The enemy found Judas, where men enticed by power and money fall.

• The enemy found Jesus hungry and tired in the desert alone and struggling in the garden.

• Satan doesn't have to work hard to find and devour you.

• He finds you excusing your behavior because God knows your heart, and you've convinced yourself He understands.

• He finds you when you are mad at your brother or sister in Christ, now participating in assassinating their character because they had it coming.

• Our adversary finds you online because there is stuff there you should not see nor participate in it.

• Our adversary finds you in your pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness when you give people a piece of your mind to straighten them out.

• The serpent finds you in a politically charged atmosphere leaving the safety of the fold during your protest.

• The serpent finds you in your car in heavy traffic when you are in a hurry and not very patient.

• He finds you when you are broke and would compromise honesty and generosity to get what you want.

• He finds you after a fight, an insult, or offense as you plan revenge to get the offender back.

• He is aware of how to find you to devour you and draw you into sin.

• Of course, there are places where he cannot find you, places where his power cannot overcome you.

• This is when you are in the Word and prayer, worshipping, fellowshipping, and serving with other Christians.

• These are places where he knows he is not welcome, and his power is severely limited.

• Here, you are in the fold, and he would instead not attack you in the presence of the Lord and His Word.

• The defeat might cause you to Study, Pray, Worship, Fellowship, and Serve more.

• That is not his goal.

Here are a few things to remember the next time you sense him nearby or find yourself outside the safety of the fold:

1. If he has found you, it is because you are where you are not supposed to be. Be aware and avoid the places where you know he is going to be.

2. When attacked, stand firm. How? Say no, ask God for help, and He will defend you. Responding to attacks takes practice. It would help if you had victories over bad judgments. Develop wisdom that looks into the future of what comes when making bad spiritual decisions.

3. Try to fill your time with things and places where you know that God will be. Spend time in the fold, where the safety of the Lord is for your protection.

• The Church is a safekeeping place for the Saints. However, it is not the building. It is the behavior and the character of the souls who follow Christ and His Word. Commit to that, not just reading, but doing so that you would increase your safety from the evil one who desires to devour you.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think some religious people don't believe in hell or the Devil?

2. Share a time in your life when the Devil found you.

3. What do you think Paul means when he says, "stand firm" in I Corinthians 16:13? How does one do this?

4. What do you say to a Christian who has failed repeatedly? What do you say to those in overcoming temptation in a specific area of his life? Are they still saved? Why?

5. Share with your group your best personal strategy in dealing with the Devil and his many temptations.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 5:12 PM September 21, 2021.