Satan Sent Away For You!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
(1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Make no mistake, my friends, Satan has yet to give up on those who follow the Lord Jesus. In his fierce anger he is like the lion looking for food. Is this physical food like our lions eat? No, rather it is our faith in the Crucified and Risen Jesus. He seeks to rob us of the promise of  forgiveness of sin, salvation and the forgiveness of sin.

No, Satan does not busy himself invading the body of a young girl and causing her to convulse  and thrash about as in a Hollywood depiction. He is much more subtle, just as he was in Eden. He seeks to have us doubt God’s word for us and to have our mind wander after some really good stuff. Our Father is not against his children having good stuff but it becomes bad stuff when it takes us away from the things most needful.

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
(Matthew 4:10 ESV)

This is how our Lord Christ handled our adversary once for all, quoting the word of God to him the Word defeated him for us. This holy and complete rebuke and sending away is granted to us by faith. This is not something more to do but rather something in which to rejoice.

To live sober-minded and watchful contains participating in those means whereby God has promised to be located for our salvation. Scripture and prayer. These gifts are with us everyday. We need not wait until gathering in worship to hear the voice of Jesus. He is here each and everyday to proclaim to us repentance and forgiveness of sin. We also need not wait for special events in which to pray. No time to pray? Our Father…… only takes a few moments and is completely filled with all that we need. Participating in these activities will send Satan away and place all our good things in behind the best thing where they belong.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. †