‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ‘

1 Peter 5:8

The promise of salvation we have from God does not mean Christians’ can live utterly unconcerned about the consequences of actions surrounding their daily lives; living without caution; or carelessly.

Believers are admonished to be steadfast, standing firm in the Word of God and “vigilant” always alert and aware of Satan and his many deceptions that come at believers twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. Satan is real, has great power and he is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 11:15; John 12:31).

The devil is not just “the instigator” of all deceit, a murderer from the beginning (the fall, Genesis 2:17; 3:17-24; Romans 5:12), and father of lies (John 8:44) he is also the “accuser” and “slanderer” of the saints.

Yes, Satan has access to heaven where he is accusing believers day and night of their sins before God the Father. But we have our Advocate (1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5), Jesus Christ who is at the right hand of the Father as our defense attorney guaranteeing our acquittal because we believed the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

As grace age believers we are warned constantly about the devil and his deceptive tactics in many forms; false teachers, doctrines of demons, the world system, deceiving spirits, and the list goes on, all led by and powered by Satan (1 Timothy 4:1-3;2 Timothy 3:1-6,13; Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Romans 1:18-22; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:6; Revelation 13:11-17; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Colossians 2:8; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-16).

‘lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.’

II Corinthians 2:11

Now doesn’t that just say it all?

“Take Advantage” “Ignorant” What does the devil focus on? Our mind!

Its not possible for Christians to be sober (steadfast and standing firm, confident in the Scripture, able to identify and resist Satan’s attacks) or is it possible for believers to be vigilant (keenly alert and able to identify Satan’s never-ending attacks of deception in whatever form Eph 6:11) if the believer is not studying the Bible daily and praying always. It’s just not possible.

Our Defense

The answer is simple but hard to follow through on consistently because of our flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Galatians 5:17

But we must fight. We must dedicate time everyday to the Lord.

How?

Pray

Pray without ceasing, means pray without ceasing! We all have something to pray about or someone to pray for. We have access to God anytime, at any moment. Go boldly to God with everything you have, casting it all on Him.

‘Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ‘

Hebrews 4:14-15

‘Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’

Hebrews 4:16 

Study the Bible (Sound Doctrine)

The only way for Christians to be vigilant, staying alert to Satan’s non-stop attacks is to be rooted in the Word of God (sound doctrine). And the only way to do that is to study the bible daily.

Only standing firm in the truth of God’s Word can we defeat Satan’s deceitful schemes and falsehoods.

What does the Scripture say…

‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.’

II Corinthians 10:3-6

Christians can’t have one foot in the world and the other in the Church!

Going to Church regularly and fellowship with God’s people are also important parts of the believers maturity but for the purposes of this post the focus is on what is done least of all.

To that end I hope that this has been encouraging and in some way edifying. Please consider sharing on social media.

Thank you,

Mesa Bible Study

Jamie Pantastico,

Faith, Sine Qua Non