Living Victoriously
Read 1 Peter 5:1 – 11
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)
The Work of the Enemy
The Greek word for “devil” means “slanderer.” The Apostle Peter describes the devil as one who prowls around like a roaring lion, always seeking opportunities to malign and slander believers. He sows pride by creating discord, disagreement and discouragement among Christians, dragging them away from fellowship with Christ and each other, and hindering their service to God and others.
Guarding Against the Enemy
As a community, the elders, as spiritual fathers, are called to provide oversight as shepherds for the well-being of their flock. They should not exploit the weak but serve willingly, with eagerness to care for one another. Likewise, young men are to accept the authority of their spiritual fathers and submit to them—and to one another—with humility. This is captured in Philippians 2:3, where disciples are urged to “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves.”
As individuals, be sober in spirit and stay alert. The devil, depicted as a roaring lion, is intent on terrorizing God’s people—luring them into moral corruption or deceiving them spiritually by distorting God's word. Do not take this spiritual warfare lightly. Resist him and stand firm in your faith, not by your own strength but under God’s protection. He gives grace to the humble and will exalt you at the proper time.
Application
You are a new creation; the old has passed away. Do not let the devil accuse you of past sins—they have been nailed to the cross, forgiven, and cleansed by the blood of Christ. Seek humility, support one another, and walk alongside those in need. Be a blessing to others.
Prayer:
May the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:1-11
5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.