IDENTIFY THE ENEMY

 

Identify the Enemy, Part One by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Peter 5:8-9 When you're in a battle, before you can march out against the enemy, you have to know who he is. It's called "gathering intelligence." You need to know how he operates, where his base of operations is, what his tactics are. You have to be able to identify him in all circumstances. And while we certainly have a number of earthly enemies, they are not the enemy about whom we must be most concerned. No. "Your adversary," Peter clearly states, is "the devil." He is at the root of all evil. He is relentlessly engaged in a strategy to bring us down. With deceptive stealth, he's "like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Last time I checked, hunters called the lion the "king of beasts." The last time I did an investigation of the devil, he was the highest of all the angelic creatures. Though he fell from that exalted position due to pride, he didn't lose any of his brilliance. Make no mistake about it, when the highest of God's angelic creations fell, he instantly rolled up his sleeves and entered into conflict with the divine plan. Small wonder that we're told, "Be of sober spirit" (v. 8a). There's a war on! Once we identify the enemy and understand his wicked ways, we realize the world is a battleground, not a playground. Let me pause here and set the record straight. First, we're living in a culture that is politically correct but is theologically, ethically, and morally corrupt. To the very center of its being, today's culture is corrupt. Humanity without Christ is totally depraved. The world will lead you directly away from the things of God, rather than toward them. Second, we are now facing hardships, conflicts, and trials like none of us would have ever imagined, because we are encountering our adversary on his turf. Everything God's people love, he hates. For instance, he hates your Christian marriage. Chances are good that more marriages are in conflict in these stressful days than in days past. Chances are you've got troubles in your family---more than usual. Perhaps one of your children is in open rebellion. If they're not there yet, it's just because they're not old enough. It's only a matter of time. Why? Our adversary hates harmony in the family. Chances are the conflicts occurring in your occupation have reached such an intense level, you're ready to say, "I don't even know if Christianity works anymore." It's all part of the enemy's strategy. Chances are you're going through a struggle emotionally or physically---either yourself, your mate, someone in your family, or one of your close friends. Chances are very good that a grandchild or a great-grandchild is very sick right now. The devil hates strong minds, secure wills, and stable bodies. We shall encounter enemy attacks in any number of areas. While we ought not to live in fear of it, we're not to be ignorant of it either. The enemy loves for you to be kept ignorant about him, to think of him inaccurately or with a shrug. He hates messages like the one in this devotional. He is being identified for who he really is; he doesn't go for that. Do you need some good news? It's found in this same section of Scripture. We can resist the enemy! Look closely yourself at the opening line of 1 Peter 5:9. "But resist him, firm in your faith. . . ." The enemy's attacks may be directed toward the vulnerable part of your life, but the shield of faith will protect you from them. You can resist him! Furthermore, realizing that God is our refuge, we can go to Him immediately. There's nothing like prayer to dislodge the darts of the enemy. And you're not alone. Verse nine states "your brethren" are experiencing the same sufferings you are. You're not unique. You are part of the groundswell of God's triumphant movement. But this counterstrategy carries with it severe tests. We'll talk more about that tomorrow.   Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Identify the Enemy, Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll 1 Peter 5:8-11 Yesterday I pointed out that our true enemy, the devil, is relentlessly engaged in a strategy to bring Christians down. With deceptive stealth, he's "like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). But the next verse tells us that the shield of faith will protect us from him. We can resist the enemy (see 1 Peter 5:9)! We are part of the groundswell of God's triumphant movement. But this counterstrategy carries with it severe tests. They're coming. Some have obviously already arrived, and we are to be aware of others to come. My task is to equip you for them and to warn you ahead of time that more are coming---whatever they may be. If I knew, I would make a public announcement. But nobody knows. All we do know is that more will come our way. Our adversary never runs out of creative, deceptive ideas. But we will not fear, we will not be moved, we will not worry. Peter offers even better news: "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself . . . [I love these four promises; look at the words.] . . . perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10). Don't miss the meaning of each term. He will "perfect" us in the suffering. This means He will restore us, bringing us to a new level of maturity. Next, He will "confirm" us in the suffering. At the heart of this term is the concept of being made solid in our character. He will use the hardship to solidify our character. And then we're told, He will "strengthen" us. The fatty flab brought on by easy living will be replaced with strong muscles of determination. Finally, He will "establish" us. The Greek term suggests the idea of laying the foundations. The suffering will drive us deep to the bedrock of our faith. And in the end, who is going to win? Read verse eleven: "To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." We could add Selah! "I believe it," says the apostle Peter. "I stake my trust in it. I stand on it. I can assure you when the hard times have run their course, your lives will be perfected, confirmed, strengthened, and stabilized." The adversary will continue his assaults and take his cheap shots. I need to tell you ahead of time, that's coming. But in the end, God wins. In the amazing Book of Revelation, John vividly describes the enemy, his attacks, and the ultimate outcome. The war has already been won by the good guys. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, it was all over for Satan. He was and is ultimately defeated. Still, he fights on. And yes, he wins a few battles along the way. But it doesn't matter, because he's lost the war. It reminds me of wars past, when communications were poor. Sometimes, armies went on fighting for months after the war had officially ended, because they didn't know they had already lost. So it is with Satan and his armies. John basically stands toe to toe with the enemy, spits in his eye, and says, "Take your best shot, Satan. Do your worst. And we'll answer, 'Hallelujah anyway!' Because we know the victory is already ours." Still, when Satan and his lieutenants attack us, we must do battle. We must gather up our courage from the Word of God and march out to meet the enemy face to face. But we go knowing we are already victorious.    Excerpted from Why, God? Calming Words for Chaotic Times, Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.