I am not a fan of scary movies. Of the few that I have seen, I spend the entire time anxious because I see danger around every corner, in addition to people making unwise and dangerous choices. I don’t like the feeling of being on high alert, waiting on something that might or might not happen.
It can be easy to read this passage and think that we must be scared and anxious waiting for Satan’s attacks. I don’t think that’s what Peter has in mind. Yes, we must not be naïve. Satan is on the prowl trying to keep believers from seeking God, growing in their faith, trusting Jesus with their circumstances and day-to-day. But, he is no match for Jesus. In fact, he has already been defeated.
Knowing this, what does it look like to be sober and alert? How do we resist the enemy and remain strong in our faith? These are great questions.
Know who your enemy is.
The first step, as mentioned earlier, is to know who your enemy is and the ways that he works. Satan is the adversary. He is a liar (John 8:44). His tactics have not changed since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). He wants to cause doubt, confusion, self-sufficiency, and sin. He wants to keep as many away from knowing Jesus as possible. He knows when we’re at our most vulnerable as well as when things are going well. He is relentless.
In moments of pain, suffering, doubt, and temptation, it can be hard to distinguish the truths of God from the lies of the enemy. The great news is that God has given us a way to fight against Satan’s lies: his Word. Oftentimes, I have to ask myself, “Does that sound like God’s voice? Does that align with who God says He is and His character as seen in Scripture?” If identifying what is true is still difficult, God has given us His Holy Spirit. Believers are indwelled by the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). You can ask for His help and God’s help in prayer. God won’t be upset or caught off guard by your question. He loves to hear from His children and wants to help. You can also turn to God’s people. Talk to a trusted, believing friend. Ask her if what you are feeling, thinking, or believing aligns with God or Satan.
Know who your Savior is.
The second step is to know who your Savior is and the ways He’s at work. Even though this is step number two, it is vitally important. Jesus is the very Son of God (1 John 5:20). In Him is light and life, and there is no darkness (John 1:4). He is radiance of the image of God and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). He is seated at the right hand of the Father, meaning His work for our salvation, which is defeating sin, is complete (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is greater than anything the enemy can throw at us.
Jesus tells us to come to Him when we are weary and heavy-laden, and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). This includes the times when we’re weary from temptation, doubt, and spiritual attacks. We can confidently come to our Savior because He understands what it’s like to face temptation. He is the only one who faced Satan head-on and did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). He can guide us through the spiritual battle. He is a mighty yet gentle Savior (Matthew 11:29).
Surrender your days to Jesus.
The third step is to surrender your days to Jesus. When you become a Christian, you surrender all of their days to Jesus. It is recognizing that you are no longer in charge, and you are under the leadership and will of a new master. Like we saw earlier, this is no heavy-handed, angry master. No, Jesus is a loving and inviting master. He calls us to be more like Him, not out of a selfish pride, but because in Him is where life is found.
If you have given your life to Jesus, you have a new master now! You are no longer controlled by the ways of the flesh, the ways of the enemy (Romans 6:6). Now, you are controlled by the Holy Spirit. You have the freedom to choose the ways of Christ, which leads to flourishing, over the ways of your past or the ways of the world, which leads to pain and death (Romans 6:11). I would love to tell you that this is a one-time thing where everything is perfect afterwards, but it is not. Once you have given your life to Christ, you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord! But, you still have your sin nature, meaning you must daily put to death the things that go against the ways of Christ (Romans 6:12-14). Again, you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is willing and waiting to guide you through your days (Galatians 5:16).
Be encouraged by believers around the world.
The fourth step is to learn and be encouraged by believers around the world. I don’t know about you, but I often find myself believing that I am the only one who has experienced or gone through certain things. It is always such an encouragement to hear from someone else that they, too, understand what I’m going through and have been there. We need encouragement from one another.
When Jesus ascended back to heaven, He did not leave us alone. He left us His Word, His Spirit, and His people. We have the Church, which is all people saved through faith in Jesus. We are meant to encourage one another, support one another, and pray for one another. Peter tells us that hearing the stories of other believers around the world helps us to stay alert and sober. This is one of the reasons I’m so thankful for the ministry of Love God Greatly. I am always encouraged by hearing what the Lord is doing in and through the other language branches and how women around the world are persevering in their faith. It strengthens me and empowers me to keep going as well.
Be faithful.
The final step is to be faithful. This might sound simple, but it has eternal implications. God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for our faithfulness. God is intimately acquainted with all of our ways. He knows that we won’t get it all right. That’s why He sent us help. We’re not meant to muster up enough energy or strength to live this life on our own. Our job is to be faithful with seeking Him daily, denying ourselves and taking up our cross, praying through the Spirit, and living in humble submission. Through this obedience, we can persevere to the end where we have a loving heavenly Father waiting for us.
Being alert and sober-minded is a daily balance. It’s understanding that we are at war against Satan (Ephesians 6:12), but he does not have the final say. Rather, we are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to constantly be in prayer throughout our days and be dependent upon Him to guide, convict, encourage, and help us to be more like Jesus. You are not alone in this war. The battle has been won. You can turn to and rest in your Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s got you.
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Join us as we study God’s Word using the Triumph Over Trials: 1 & 2 Peter study!
Grab your journal today and dive in!
