Words Of Truth

First Peter 5:8-11
Soberly Resisting Evil, Looking Forward, To The Glory Of God

I. Introduction:

A. Before we jump into this study, let’s be reminded that references to Satan acting in this world can be literal (Job 1:1-2:13) or figurative (Revelation 2:9-10).

1. The person of Satan literally acted in this world (Matthew 4:1-11).
2. His influence is also active in this world (John 8:44).
3. Satan was cast into this earth (Luke 10:17-18 and Revelation 12:7-9) but then bound (II Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6).
4. I tend to exercise caution when “blaming” Satan for things, for many erringly think he is controlling sinners literally as they fail to understand his limitations. Sin is a choice that people do, even when they were influenced by Satan directly, and not something he controls (Genesis 3:1ff. and James 1:13-16).

1. The children of God and the children of Satan are known by what actions those people take (I John 2:29-3:10).
2. Thus, the likeness of Satan is seen in sinners (Acts 5:1-11) when they do that which is according to the ways of the world rather than the ways of God (II Corinthians 4:3-4 and Ephesians 2:1-3).

1. Not catering to the flesh (Romans 13:13-14).
2. For them, understanding the situation they were facing in the first century (I Peter 4:7).

1. Understanding your two choices clearly (Acts 26:18).
2. Knowing that those who are not righteous are his advocates (Acts 13:6-11; cf. Luke 11:14-23).
3. The work of Satan is summed up in sin (I Corinthians 7:5 and I Timothy 5:14-15) and the end result of such (Romans 6:23; cf. Matthew 25:46).

1. Don’t be ignorant of Satan’s mark on this world (II Corinthians 2:5-11).
2. Don’t give him place (Ephesians 4:27).
3. Be armored (Ephesians 6:11-17).
4. Steadfast in the faith (Hebrews 3:14).

1. Such was foretold (Matthew 5:10-12 and John 16:33).
2. Some suffered many things (Galatians 3:4).
3. Saints have to endure tribulation (Romans 12:12).

1. Eternal glory which is in Christ (II Timothy 2:10).
2. This eternal glory is what gets saints through times of suffering in the flesh (II Corinthians 4:16-18).

1. Made perfect or “mending” (Matthew 4:21) “restore” (Galatians 6:1).
2. Stablish (II Peter 1:10-12).
3. Strengthen (II Timothy 4:16-18).
4. Settle you (Colossians 1:23).
5. Some levels of suffering can suck the strength out of you (II Corinthians 1:8).
6. How does God accomplish such in ways that would continue to now? Consider: Acts 18:23, I Thessalonians 3:1-2, and I Thessalonians 3:10

1. Saints can only overcome because of the faith that what we have to come is greater than what we can lose in the here and now (Luke 6:22-23 and Hebrews 11:24-26).
2. Furthermore, we are reminded that our salvation is not of ourselves (Ephesians 2:5-10).