Bible Studies
The Devil Our Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. Often when we think of an adversary or opponent we think of sports rivals.a. Lincoln vs. Boyle.
b. U.K. vs. U. of L.
c. Auburn vs. Alabama.
2. If we think militarily we may consider our political allies as “on our side” and regard all others as enemies. 3. Sometimes spouses consider each other as opponents or adversaries. They often hire professional champions (attorney’s) to represent them against the opposition. 4. In Scripture the devil is presented as a personage who is both hostile to God and man. He is our opponent. He is our adversary. 5. Reading of 1 Pet. 5:8.Discussion:
I. The Greek word translated “adversary” here is “antidikos.”A. It is formed from the prefix “anti” combined with the primary root “dike” meaning “right, justice.” Thus the adversary or opponent is “anti – right,” “anti –justice.”
B. In the NASB it is translated as follows.
1. Once with the English “adversary” (1 Pet. 5:8).
2. Three times with the word “opponent” (Matt. 5:25; Lk. 12:58; Lk. 18:3).
3. Once with “opponent at law” (Matt. 5:25). In this legal sense it denotes one who accuses. If we take the word in this sense in 1 Pet. 5:8 the devil is our accuser.
C. Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as our “comforter” (“parakletos”) (Jn. 14:16, 26—one who comes to our side to render aid and in a legal sense our advocate or our defense counsel. The devil, on the other hand, is the one who is against us.
D. This is evident in the context.
1. He “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
2. You need to recognize him as the enemy. His objective is to devour. Naiveté is not good in this circumstance. Being deceived that this enemy is somehow friendly is disastrous. He is a predator and any other perception of him results in being devoured.
3. That he is our adversary necessitates our being “on the alert” and “of sober spirit” (1 Pet. 5:8a). He is not on our side!
II. The devil’s deception is to convince us that he is our friend and that he is on our side.A. He disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
B. He may not come to us directly but uses servants or agents who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Jesus refers to such false prophets as “coming to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15).
C. Such deception causes us to let our guard down and increase our vulnerability.
D. We must evaluate ourselves and determine whose side we are on. We may not be on the side we think. “I want to be on the Lord’s side!” Yes, exactly, but is that really where you are? Or are you deceived?
E. The adversary divides. He creates oppositional circumstances between spouses, in families, in churches, between friends, etc.
1. Note the oppositional stance he created in Gen. 3.
2. First between the woman and God (1-5). The devil’s message: God is NOT on your side.
3. Then between the man and the women (12). The devil’s message: This woman is not on your side. But they were a one-flesh team. They were on the same side together. Now Satan has divided them. He creates oppositional perceptions. He attempts to confuse us as to who our enemies are. He blurs the distinction between friends and enemies.
4. The women responded, “The serpent deceived me.”
5. God said to Satan, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed.” Satan was already our enemy. God help’s us to realize it.
6. Notice the value of words here. Satan’s lies vs. God’s truth. Cf. false prophets coming in sheep’s clothing. Cf. also the import of placing our trust in God’s word (Jn. 8:43-47).
III. It is for this reason that we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Pet. 5:6-7).A. It is not “humble yourself in order to get what you want” as if God were your enemy and you were negotiating with him. But humble yourself under the mighty hand of God who cares for you.
1. Humble yourself to the one who cares for you. You do not have to resist him.
2. Don’t submit to the devil who is seeking someone to devour. Resist him!
B. Know who your enemy is. Don’t fight against the one who cares for you.
1. How can I tell who really cares for me?
2. God sacrificed His son for you! (1 Pet. 5:10). He is gracious. He cares for you. The devil may give the pleasure of sin (Heb. 11:25) but then devours you. It is the old bate and trap game.
3. When we see God as the enemy and Satan as our friend we are in TROUBLE.
C. It is God who perfects, confirms, strengthens and establishes you.
D. It is He who has the dominion.
Conclusion:
1. Do you find yourself at enmity with God? Then be reconciled. You are on the wrong side. God cares for you. It is the devil that is seeking to devour you. 2. Are you allied with those “worthless fellows” who are sons of the devil? Then you are on the wrong side. 3. Do you find yourself in opposition to those who have given their allegiance to God? Then you are on the wrong side. 4. Satan’s work is to create division, opposition, adversarial relationships in order to destroy and devour. 5. Come be allied with the Lord.
