“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Imagine the best goalkeeper in the world stepping onto the pitch but failing to pay attention to his teammates or the opposing team. He would concede countless goals. In the same way, when the Bible commands you to stay alert, it means recognising clearly who the enemy is and who he is not.
Disguise is one of the devil’s subtle schemes. That is why the Apostle Peter warns you to stay alert and watch out for him. If only he showed up in a red-and-black costume like in the movies, resisting him would be easy. But because he works deceptively, you must discern him spiritually.
Some people assume that defeating the devil is simply a matter of being stronger or more powerful. But power alone is not enough. This is why Scripture calls him “the deceiver” (Revelation 12:9).
Here is the good news: as a child of God, you already have victory in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:15). Your task is not to fight for victory but to stand firm in the victory He has won. You resist the devil by remaining steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:9).
Understanding how the devil operates in a situation can be helpful, but your first focus must always be on who God is. James reminds you that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). God does good and good alone! The Psalmist also teaches that “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). Your will to resist the devil is weakened if you become double-minded about who is responsible for an affliction.
Jesus underscored the importance of persistence in prayer through the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1–8). Misunderstood, one might think the judge represents God. But Scripture is clear: “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV). Jesus was drawing a contrast, not a comparison. If an unjust judge can be worn out by persistence, how much more can you weary the devil by standing firm in faith?
Dear child of God, the devil is already defeated. In every area of life—family, career, health, or finances—stand firm. Put up the needed resistance and live victoriously. Remember: you have overcome the world because the Greater One lives in you.
Bible Reading Plan: Proverbs 19–20, Romans 9:24–10:4