◆“We shall Overcome” (1 Peter 5:8-11) December 1, 2024

We have been reading through the First Letter of Peter for a long time, and now we are reaching its climax. Today, I would like to focus on verses 8 through 11 of chapter 5, concentrating on the work of Satan.

Does Satan or the devil really exist? Or is it just a negative thought or event personified?something abstract rather than a real being? Some people think this way. However, the Bible clearly speaks of Satan as a being with personality, who existed before humans.

There is no time to go into detail here, but some claim that because Satan is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament, it is a later concept. That is not true.

Today’s text says that Satan is our enemy. There is a saying, “If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear a hundred battles.” So first, we want to know Satan.

By the way, who is our enemy? If we mistake our enemy, we will waste energy fighting battles we do not need to fight, and the struggle will be futile. Let me list some things we often mistakenly take as enemies.

First is ourselves. We continue to accuse ourselves, saying, “What a useless person I am,” and keep beating ourselves up. This consumes a lot of energy, but produces nothing. Over time, this self-blame becomes a habit, even a lifestyle. Indeed, some people keep blaming themselves over and over. However, nothing is resolved by that, and no progress is made.

It is also mistaken to regard society as the enemy. Here, “making society the enemy” means becoming a hermit. Not literally withdrawing to the mountains, but cutting off relationships with society and devoting oneself solely to faith life.

I once watched a movie called “Into Great Silence.” It is a three-hour documentary about monastic life, with no commentary. I learned much about prayer. But I also wondered whether it is right for these people to be shut off from society and live only in their own world of faith. Cutting ties with society does not make one pure.

Another mistaken enemy is other people. “What kind of person is that? If only that person weren’t here…” we think. Ultimately, we become unsettled, tossed about by others.

Recently, at a pastors’ meeting, we discussed people who move from church to church. Such people blame others and never find peace.

God teaches us that our enemy is Satan. The Satan who accused Job, who tempted Jesus, who seeks to be worshiped in place of God.

This Satan is truly our enemy.

Verse 8 describes Satan as “a roaring lion, prowling around, looking for someone to devour.”

“Like a lion” expresses strength. He is compared to the king of beasts, the lion. “Prowling” shows active movement. “Roaring” expresses will?specifically, the will to “devour someone.”

“Someone” means anyone, not a specific person. Everyone is the target. “Devour” means the goal?to eat completely and digest, making the prey part of himself.

Just as we take in food and turn it into our energy, Satan devours people and makes them his energy.

What does this mean? For Christians, it means causing corruption.

Corruption means being separated from God, increasing distrust of God, making obedience to God seem boring, and making one believe there are things more important than God.

“Faith is good, but daily life is more important, so God and church come second.”
“To date a boyfriend or girlfriend who has no faith, faith has to come second.” Such things.

Even though we are children of God, to be concerned with fortune-telling or amulets is corruption, to speak harshly.

For those who do not yet know Christ, Satan tries to prevent them from having faith and being saved.

You may recall Jesus’ parable of the sower.

Some seed fell and was immediately eaten by Satan?those who show no interest in the Word at all.

Some seed fell on rocky ground. At first, they received it joyfully, but when trials came, they quickly abandoned God.

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it?those who were overwhelmed by worldly worries and the lure of wealth.

In this way, Satan hinders people from knowing God. Satan is always prowling like a roaring lion.

So what shall we do?

“Stand firm in your faith and resist the devil.”

This is not just encouraging words.

We cannot face Satan, who has wisdom, energy, and power second only to God, with our own strength or willpower.

“Stand firm in your faith” means to plant your feet firmly, even if your body sways, to endure and stand your ground.

Therefore, maintaining faith is not an easy battle.

What kind of faith allows us to stand firm? Verse 10 tells us.

“The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself perfect you, establish you, strengthen you, and keep you from falling.”

God is the God of grace. He knows you when you waver. He continues to support you and keeps you from falling.

Jesus said in John 16:33:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

On what basis should we take heart? On the basis that Jesus has already won.

If we do not stand on this, our courage is nothing but empty words.

This victory of Jesus belongs to us. And the Holy Spirit brings this victory.

Faith plus God the Father teaches us our value.
Faith plus Jesus guarantees our salvation.
Faith plus the Holy Spirit brings victory.

Verse 9 says, “Your brothers and sisters who share in your faith are experiencing the same kinds of sufferings in the world.”

This suffering, from the context, is probably not economic hardship or illness, but the suffering of the battle against Satan.

But this is precisely where the Holy Spirit works.

However, only when we are united with the Holy Spirit through faith can the Spirit work.

Let us remember this.

Do not waste energy fighting false enemies. Know that Satan is the enemy.

Know that we have no power to defeat this enemy.

Yet, even as we waver, stand firm and continue to hold on to your faith.

The Lord’s victory is yours.

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Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.