Your Great Enemy

“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 family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

For you and me today, these words of Peter may have a different impact than they did on those to whom they were originally penned. Peter was writing to the persecuted Christians living in the Roman provinces of Asia Minor. He writes to prepare them for an intense time of persecution.

Even though it was the Romans who were persecuting Christians, Peter does not refer to them as “your great enemy, the Romans.” Instead, he helps them to see that the real enemy of the Church is the devil himself. You and I may not be experiencing intense persecution, but these words, written to encourage and strengthen Christians in their faith, still have a great impact on us today.

Satan is still looking for someone to devour. He still prowls around like a roaring lion, but he is no match for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! Like the believers to whom Peter writes, we too can stand firm against the devil, strong in our faith because of what Christ has done for us.

May these inspired words of Peter encourage and strengthen you today.