Watch out for your great enemy, the devil

I Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Spiritual attack!  In this era of terrorism where murdering terrorists use guns and explosives to attack and kill/injure people, the imagery of being attacked by an enemy is very real and very scary.  What is much less realized because of its invisibility is the reality of being attacked spiritually by the devil and his demons.  In fact, most people don’t believe this happens.  Oh no?  Well, let’s look more closely. 

There are several examples in the Bible of being spiritually attacked.  The prime example is Jesus being tempted three times by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).  The three types of temptations or spiritual attacks were (1) turning stones into bread representing lust of the flesh; (2) throwing Himself off the top of the temple, representing lust of the eyes and (3) promising Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship Satan, representing pride of life.  These three temptations represent the three main ways that Satan attacks people (see I John 2:15-16).  Jesus also was spiritually attacked when Peter was rebuking Him for His prediction that He would be killed and be brought back to life and Jesus responded, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23, Mark 8:33).  

Being spiritually attacked is manifested in various ways.  For new believers, the devil and/or his demons attack you by placing doubts in your mind about your faith.  You start to doubt God, doubt your salvation, and doubt biblical promises.  Remember that Satan is the great deceiver starting with his deception of Eve and Adam.  Temptations are thrusted at you and you start succumbing to them.  For experienced believers, especially those who are admired by other believers, the devil and his demons will attack you in ways that might shame you and ruin your reputation and testimony.  Examples include sexual temptations and other moral failures, pride and ego overcoming you, spiritual lethargy, overwhelming personal troubles, and attacks on family members who commit disreputable acts that, in turn, can harm your own reputation and testimony. 

So, how can you guard against these spiritual attacks?  The primary answer is “stay alert”.  Other translations use the phrase “be alert and of sober mind”, “be self-controlled and alert” and “be sober and be vigilant”.  Be well aware that Satan lurks everywhere, that he desires to cause you great harm both physically and spiritually and you must stand firm against him.  Ephesians 6:13-18 describes spiritual armor available to resist Satan, five of these defensive weapons and one offensive weapon.  All of this armor enables you to be strong in your faith.  Another excellent means to withstand these spiritual attacks is to be part of a strong fellowship team where other Christians (your Christian brothers and sisters) can help and encourage you to stand firm in your faith and negate these attacks.  After all, all Christians are attacked spiritually (“going through the same kind of suffering you are”) so everyone knows what the other is enduring.  Be praying for one another.

Are you experiencing spiritual attacks right now?  Are you seeing other fellow believers being spiritually attacked?  Are members of your family being spiritually attacked?  What impact is this having on you and/or on them?  What steps are you taking to stay alert and stand firm?  Indeed, either you stay alert and stand firm or you will fail to resist spiritual attacks.  Either stand firm in your faith in God and in His Word or you will fall (I Corinthians 10:12).  Don’t let anything interfere with your desire to stay alert and stand firm.  The Lord and other believers will help you if you ask them.