We who are Christians have a cunning, deceitful, and busy enemy. He seeks to turn those who follow God away.
He even tempted our Lord. His name is SATAN. Concerning him and
his activity, Scripture says, "Be sober. be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom be may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your
brethren that art in the world" (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Christian, notice three courses of action in the above text: 1) Be sober, that is, be aware, alert, and awake.
2) Be vigilant, that is, be watchful, careful, and on guard. 3) Resist, that is, struggle against, and don't give in to.
Consider
three things that the devil wants to do:
1. SATAN WANTS TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THE LORD'S CHURCH. The saved are in the church (Acts 2:47). But the devil doesn't want you to become a Christian; he doesn't want you
to be part of the saved. You who are reading these words who have never yet became a child of God are right where Satan wants
you to be. He is happy. The church preaches the gospel (Ephesians 3:10), glorifies God (Ephesians 3:21), and acts under the
leadership of Christ (Colossians 1:18), so Satan is glad to have you not part of this activity.
2. SATAN WANTS TO GET YOU BACK INTO THE WORLD.
If Satan doesn't succeed in keeping you out of the church, hell be glad to get you back into the world. Certainly the
Bible teaches that a Christian can stop serving God and return to the pollutions of the world (2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 10:28-31),
and Satan will rejoice if that happens to you. He has succeeded in the past (2 Timothy 4:10; James 4:4), and will be glad
to weaken your faith, corrupt your morals, exhaust your resolve, undermine your convictions, and get you to quit the service
of God if he can.
3.
SATAN WANTS TO MAKE YOU WORTHLESS TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.
If Satan can't keep you out of the church of get you back
into the world, he'll try to make you ineffective to the cause of Christ. He'll seek to get you uninvolved in the church and
her work. We are to be zealous and active in the service of God (1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; James 2:17), so
if Satan can keep us ignorant and apathetic, make us lazy and discouraged, get us self-absorbed and self-concerned, he'll
be well pleased.
Are you a Christian? Are you active and involved in the work of God? Are you seeking first the kingdom? If not,
you have succumbed to the enemy! Don't be ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). Resist the devil (James 4:7).
Be vigilant against the old serpent (Revelation 12:9-10). Don't befriend the world (1 John 2:15-17). Always allow God to guide
your life in all ways and at all times!
John M. Brown
