I'm Gonna Get You!

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9

Do you ever feel like a certain sin is hunting you down?

You know what I mean. It’s a sin you try not to do, but find you do all too often. Sometimes it may even make you feel like,

“Why not just do it? I know I’m going to end up doing it anyway.”

You are being hunted.

We often like to think that we are just strolling through life in control of our own lives, aware of the influences for us and against us. However, there are influences and threats that we don’t see with our physical eyes. The devil prowls around looking to pounce on our weakness.

Be alert!
So, Peter warns us, “Be self-controlled and alert.” Alert, because temptation lurks all around us and we need to be aware. Self-controlled, because when temptation does come, we need to resist.

Temptation comes in many forms.

Sin – This is probably the most obvious form of temptation, to try to lure you to sin. Sure, God says not too, but it looks so good, the devil tells us. It’s the same lie as the in the garden.
Complacency – This is a less obvious form of temptation, but one we face a lot in the U.S. Life tends to be pretty good. We have food, shelter, safety, and plenty of distractions. You could read the Bible, but, then again, you could binge-watch Cobra Kai on Netflix.
Suffering – Peter mentions this, specifically, in our passage. Life was hard. Suffering and persecution were abundant. The temptation is either to think, “It’s just not worth it,” or to think “God must either not care or not be the true God.”

Misery Loves Company
No matter what form of temptation the devil brings, his goal is always the same. He wants to devour you and everyone else, especially Christians. The devil stands condemned and is destined for an eternity of suffering in hell and he wants to bring as many with him as he can.

Satan wants you to abandon God, whether because you love your sin more than God, because you don’t think you need God anymore, or because you are angry at God for allowing you to suffer.

So, Stand Firm in the Faith

God will never leave you nor forsake you. Don’t abandon God. God’s ways are better than sin. God’s love and life are real, not like the empty distractions of this world. God is greater than your suffering and He will carry you through your suffering.

Paul, also spoke of standing firm in the faith in the face of suffering in his letter to the church in Rome.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

Heavenly Father,

I face temptation every day of my life. Give me discernment to see it, wisdom to resist it, and strength to stand firm in the faith You have given me. Hold me in that faith that I may always say with Paul that I consider the present sufferings (or sin or distractions) are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

I'm Gonna Get You!

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL