Spiritual Warfare

Surviving Times of Suffering

1 Peter 5:8, 9

Peter is writing from Rome to mostly non-Jewish Christians in what is modern-day Turkey, who were facing persecution for their faith.  He writes to encourage them in their suffering.  After beginning with a praise to God (1:1-12), he affirms their identity in Christ (1:13-2:10), which he wants to help them see is how the suffering they’re going through will bear witness to Jesus (2:11-4:11) and this will focus their hope on the return of Christ (4:12-5:9).

In verses 8 and 9, Peter reminds them that there are dark forces of spiritual evil at work that are inspired by Satan himself whose goal it is to devour them and then tells them how this adversary can be defeated.

Luke 22:31-32

Matthew 26:41

Ephesians 6:12

1.   Who our enemy is: .

The devil is “the sower of suspicion and the malicious enemy who makes accusations and presses false charges.”

He goes by other names in Scripture as well:

·      Satan – 54 times
·      Devil – 35 times
·      Wicked One – 8 times
·      Evil One – 5 times
·      Other names for Satan:  Thief, Destroyer, Lucifer, Tempter, the Ruler of Demons, the God of this Age, the Evil One, a Roaring Lion.

Genesis 3
Revelation 20

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves (the devils) are equally pleased by both errors . . .”
-C. S. Lewis, “Screwtape Letters”

Matthew 4:1-11

A.   The devil is .

Matthew 4:1

B.  The devil makes us doubt .

Matthew 4:3, 4

C.  The devil knows .

Psalm 91:11, 12

Matthew 4:7 (quoting Deuteronomy 6:16)

D.   The devil has great (but limited) .

E.   Jesus has over the devil.

Matthew 4:10

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Psalm 119:105

2.   What our enemy’s strategy is:  he looks for someone .

John 10:10

1 Corinthians 10:13

3. How we the devil

 “We want the Church to be small not only that fewer people may know the Enemy but also that those who do may acquire the uneasy intensity and the defensive self-righteousness of a secret society or a clique.”                                                                                                          -C.S. Lewis, “Screwtape Letters”

A.  Be alert – be on the .

Matthew 26:41

Ephesians 5:14

B.  Be sober – be alert.

Proverbs 23:7

C.  Resist him – be

James 4:7

Jude verse 3

D.  Be together – You are safer with .

Revelation 5:5

Amos 1:2

Daily Meditations

Memory verse:  “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”           1 Peter 5:8, 9

Monday
Read and memorize 1 Peter 5:8, 9.  What did Peter say the devil was doing in verse 8?

How should we resist the devil?

Tuesday
Read and memorize 1 Peter 5:8, 9.  What does it mean that the devil “devours” people?

In your own words, what can we do to resist the devil’s attempts to devour us?

Wednesday
Read Ephesians 6:11-18.  In order to help us do battle with Satan, what is one of these pieces of armor you need to “put on” today?

Thursday
Read Matthew 4:1-11.  Who led Jesus into the wilderness and for what purpose?

The first three temptations are in verses 4, 7, and 10. How did Jesus respond to these temptations?

Friday
Read Matthew 4:1-11.  What was the part of the spiritual armor that Jesus used to resist temptation?

What role does the Word of God play in helping us do battle with Satan?

Saturday
Read Matthew 4:1-11.  What happened in verse 11 and why do you think it happened?

What has happened to you when you’ve resisted temptation?