WHAT IS, THE “GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH”??? 4

 

THE STALKING OF MANSOUL

 

BE ALERT AND OF SOBER MIND; YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. 1 Pet. 5:8

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:     1 Pet 1:1-2

To the elders among you,... to you who are younger… be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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 Pet. 5:8-9

So we know that those elect individuals that the Apostle Peter was admonishing, and who were chosen by God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood were being STALKED BY THE DEVIL. We know that it was the devil’s intent to devour them. Whatever that means, it cannot be good!

Do you believe that once these Christians left this world to enter glory some 2000 years ago that the devil retired? (If you do, please stop reading here.) Or did he continue to this very day to “seek someone to devour” who names the name of Christ?

If so, do you believe he is stalking you?

If not, why not? Do you believe that you are exempt from his designs upon you? If so, why so?

DEVOUR:

Strongs - katapinó: to drink down; swallow, devour, destroy, consume.

Websters 1828 - To eat up; to eat with greediness; to eat ravenously, as a beast of prey, or as a hungry man.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He (Jesus) also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through FEAR OF DEATH were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14

The devil’s power of death is his ability to paralyze us by augmenting our own heart’s temptation to FEAR - THE FEAR OF OUR OWN DEATH. The temptation arises in our own hearts in many forms, some subtle and some overt. Given our natural drive for self- preservation in a cursed and fallen world, every economic setback, physical malady or failed relationship poses a temptation to fear that our quality of life is being threatened by a form of “death”. Add to this the reality that at any moment we may actually perish accidentally, by the hand of another or a sudden heart attack, and we become vulnerable to the temptation of unbelief even to the point of apostasy. Thus the Lord would say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12

(Next: What are we fighting for?  What’s to be gained?)