Bible Text: 1 Peter 5:8-11 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, Cross Training

Peter has warned believers that we have an enemy who wishes to destroy us…our testimony…our usefulness to God. How then can we be victorious over Satan? Peter’s answer: we must “resist him,” a defensive term found also in James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:11-13; “standing firm in the faith (our trust in God and His Word).” The phrase “standing firm” is used of material objects and denotes solidness, strength. Superficial faith will not do in this conflict. Put another way, we are to prepare, then trust our training.
“’Resist steadfast in the faith’ (verse 9). That means to say no to the voice that would lure you from God’s straight and narrow. No matter who parrots that voice. No matter how attractive or convincing it may be. If it is contrary to your faith in God and His Word, you must resist it if you are to survive Satan’s attack.” (Burton Murdock)
The believer can be victorious by:

-remembering that we have the Holy Spirit within us and by yielding to the Spirit (words, actions, and attitudes under the control of the Holy Spirit) (1 John 4:1-6; Eph. 5:18ff)

-putting on the whole armor of God (growing in the Word, a growing Christian life) (Eph. 6:11-17)

-praying for ourselves, for other believers, for leaders (Eph. 6:18)

-resisting every attack of Satan (James 4:7)

-knowing the enemy and his tactics (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:11)

-not toying with sin (making no provision for the sin nature, keeping good company) (Rom. 13:14; 1 Cor. 15:33)

Suffering joins us with other believers across the world. Our response in resisting Satan and standing firm in the faith has a strengthening effect upon them. Conversely, our failure weakens them. In the words of G. Campbell Morgan: “How it will help us if we remember this in hours of temptation! If we yield, we weaken the whole battle-line. If we withstand steadfast in our faith, the strength of our victory is a contribution of power to all the ranks.”