BOTTOM LINE: Every day is a battle, but Jesus has won the war.

INTRO

The “upside-down”…

  • A sensational idea, or is it?
  • Find yourself looking over your shoulder

Series recap

TENSION

Angels and demons don’t look like they do in the movies, but spiritual warfare is real.

Some days, you feel victorious. Some days, you feel defeated. This reminds us that there’s something more at play in our everyday lives. We have an enemy that hunts us every day, and wants to see us live in spiritual defeat.

Every day is a battle, but Jesus has won the war.

TRUTH

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

  • Context: Scattered gentile exiles
  • Message: Present suffering and future glory

The scouting report on our enemy…

  1. Who is he? “Your adversary…”

The three-headed monster of the enemy…

  • The world is around us, seeking to distract us.
  • Our flesh (old sin nature)is within us, seeking to degrade us.
  • Satan is against us, seeking to accuse us and defeat us.
  • Antidikos – Opponent, accuser, plaintiff in a lawsuit

Satan is pictured in the book of Job, and Revelation 12, as one who brings accusations against us in our own minds, and before the throne of God. He and his army of demons work day and night to devour the joy, worship, and witness of God’s people.

Good news: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4 

Jesus will rule the world, give us new bodies, and bind the devil.

  1. What does he do? “…prowls around like a roaring lion…”

How does a lion hunt?

  • They’re not very fast, so they have to resort to deception (hunt in the darkness, under cover. They mask their sight and scent so as to blend into their prey’s natural surroundings.
  • They hunt in prides/teams.
  • They scout their prey during the day, and attack at night. They know exactly when their prey will be at a particular watering hole.
  • They attack by knocking their prey off-balance, and then kill with a bite to the neck (vital area, jugular).
    • 2020 is like giving Satan a FastPass at King’s Island
  • If the animal resists or flees, the lion will move on to a more vulnerable target.

When/where are we the most vulnerable? [choke points]

  • Unforgiveness – “Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
    • Ex. Running into people who have hurt you
  • Anger – “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26-27
    • “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:20
    • It’s like building up speed on a skateboard and hitting a pebble.
    • Ex. Parents, politics, outrage culture
  • Doubt – But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” – Genesis 3:4-5
    • “Keep his mind off Jesus. It doesn’t matter what he thinks about – even good things – just keep him from meditating on God’s Word and promises…Create skepticism regarding prayer because what is prayed for doesn’t always happen.” – C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters
  • Pride – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:6-7
    • Not always being arrogant or conceded. It’s more often self-sufficiency. “I can do anything I set my mind to if I work hard enough.”
    • Ex. Over-prioritizing homework vs. trusting God
  • Instant Gratification – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” – 1 Peter 2:11-12
    • TikTok/Media, unchecked, is giving your soul a black eye.
  • Drama – “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” – James 4:1
    • Satan wants to steal the joy from our homes and churches.
  1. Why does he do it? “…to devour.”

Satan cannot take away your salvation.

“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” – Rom. 8:32

Satan’s goal is to bring shame to the name of God by devouring his image-bearers.

  • He wants to devour our joy.
  • If he can destroy our joy, he can go after our worship.
  • If he can destroy our worship, he can destroy our witness.

Every day is a battle, but Jesus has won the war.

APPLICATION

Daily Defeating the Devouring Devil…

#1 – Respect the importance of the battle.

#2 – Recognize the enemy before he attacks.

#3 – Resist the enemy with doctrine and dudes. 

  • Firm in your faith
  • Knowing that the brotherhood is suffering, too.

#4 – Refuel daily through worship.

  • Looking forward to Jesus’ return.
  • Doxology in verse 11.