1 Pedro 5
William Barclay · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Pedro 5:8
Barclay: Be sober; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. NLT: Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. (NLT - Tyndale House)
1 Pedro 5:8
Barclay says that the Greek word nepho like the English, can have two meanings. It can mean that they must refrain from drunkenness in the literal sense of the term; and it can also mean that they must be steady in their minds. They must become intoxicated neither with intoxicating liquor nor with intoxicating thoughts; they must preserve a balanced judgment. It is easy for the Christian to be carried away with this, that, or the next sudden enthusiasm and to become readily intoxicated with the latest fashion and the newest craze. Peter is appealing to them to maintain the essential steadiness of the man who knows what he believes...This does not mean that the Christian is to be lost in a gloomy joylessness; but it does mean that his approach to life must not be frivolous and irresponsible. To take things seriously is to be aware of their real importance and to be ever mindful of their consequences in time and in eternity. It is to approach life, not as a jest, but as a serious matter for which we are answerable. (Barclay, W: The New Daily Study Bible Westminster John Knox Press) Sober characterizes the individual marked by self-control; of sound moral judgment. Sober Christians deny themselves worldly pleasures (see note Titus 2:12). This allows them to be always alert, able to guard against Satan’s attacks (1Pet 5:8) and ready to receive the revelation of Christ (see note 1 Peter 1:13). (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary ) Nepho speaks of a sense of coolness (arising out of abstinence from what will excite) of one who is prepared for any emergency. Part of being sober is not blaming everything on the Devil! Nepho is the proper exercise of the mind, that state of mind in which the individual is self-controlled, and is able to see things without the distortion caused by worry, fear, and their related attitudes. Writing to the Thessalonian saints Paul reminds them that you are all sons of light and sons of day... not of night nor of darkness (Believers live in an entirely different sphere than those who will experience God’s wrath in the Day of the Lord);" and that because of who are they are (emphasizing that there must be an inseparable link between our new nature and new behavior) they are to "not sleep as others do (day people can still do deeds of darkness), but... be alert (continuously awake and able to rightly assess what is happening in the spiritual dimension) and sober (nepho - calm, collected, and circumspect) For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober (nepho), having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. (see notes 1Thessalonians 5:5; 5:6; 5:7; 5:8). Nepho points to a condition of moral alertness, the sense of being so exercised and disciplined that all fear of sleeping again is removed. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to live consistently with their new natures. The present tense (continuous action = lifestyle = habitual action) verbs in 1Thessalonians 5:6 (sleep...be alert.. and sober) call for the Thessalonians to be continuously awake, alert, and sober. A habitually spiritually sober person exhibits self-control, lives a serious, balanced, calm, steady life, and maintains proper priorities. To be sober is to be alert; the two terms are essentially synonyms. Just as sleep and drunkenness define night people’s insensitivity to spiritual reality, so alertness and soberness describe day people’s sensitivity to it. William Hendricksen in discussing 1Thessalonians 5:6 adds that The sober person lives deeply. His pleasures are not primarily those of the senses, like the pleasures of the drunkard for instance, but those of the soul. He is by no means a Stoic. On the contrary, with a full measure of joyful anticipation he looks forward to the return of the Lord (see note 1 Peter 1:13-14). But he does not run away from his task! Note how both here and also in 1 Peter 5:8 the two verbs to be watchful and to be sober are used as synonyms. (Hendricksen, W. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Thessalonians, Timothy, and Titus. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981). Knowing that Timothy would face spiritual opposition especially toward the pure truth of the gospel, Paul exhorted him to be sober (nepho - present imperative = make this your continual practice) in all things, endure (aorist imperative = do this now. It is urgent) hardship, do (aorist imperative) the work of an evangelist, fulfill (aorist imperative) your ministry." (see note 2 Timothy 4:5) Paul is encouraging his your protégé to be levelheaded, well-balanced, and in control of his faculties and by extension to be stable, unwavering, and steadfast.
1 Pedro 5:8
Barclay comments that saints must be sober and watchful. The fact that we cast everything upon God does not give us the right to sit back and to do nothing. Cromwell’s advice to his troops was: “Trust in God, and keep your powder dry.” Peter knew how hard this vigilance was, for he remembered how in Gethsemane he and his fellow-disciples slept when they should have been watching with Christ (Mt 26:38, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46). The Christian is the man who trusts but at the same time puts all his effort and all his vigilance into the business of living for Christ. (The New Daily Study Bible Westminster John Knox Press) Charles Simeon writes that... An undue attachment to the things of time and sense gives him a great advantage over us. He will not fail to assault us on our weak side (It was he who instigated Judas to treachery, and Ananias to falsehood; but he wrought by means of their covetousness, John 13:2. Acts 5:3); but a deadness to the world will in some measure disarm him. He prevailed not against our Lord, because he found no irregular affection in him (Jn 14:30); nor could he so easily overcome us if we disregarded earthly things. A contempt of life has been a principal mean whereby the saints and martyrs in all ages have triumphed over him (Re 12:11). (1 Peter 5:8, 9 The Means of Defeating Satan's Malice) RELATED RESOURCES ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON EPHESIANS 6:10-18... EPHESIANS 6:10-18 BY WAYNE BARBER Ephesians 6:10: Spiritual Warfare, Pt 1 Ephesians 6:11: Spiritual Warfare, Pt 2 Ephesians 6:14: Spiritual Warfare, Pt 3 Ephesians 6:15,16 Spiritual Warfare, Pt 4 Ephesians 6:17: Spiritual Warfare, Pt 5 Ephesians 6:12,13 Spiritual Warfare, Pt 6 Ephesians 6:18: Spiritual Warfare, Pt 7 VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON THE FALLEN FLESH VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON THE BATTLE IN OUR MIND 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Exposition MISCELLANEOUS Cyberhymnal Hymns on Topic of Spiritual Warfare (scroll down) 2 Chronicles 20:1-25 Ambushing Satan with Song - John Piper THE METAPHOR OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER Soldier Illustrations Exposition of 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Three Kinds of Soldiers - Ten Principles of Warfare Roman Soldier by Edward Gibbon (Decline & Fall of Roman Empire) The Roman Soldier - Description from Jewish Historian Josephus A Few Soldier Stories and Sermons THE AMALEKITES: A PICTURE OF PERSISTENT SPIRITUAL WARFARE Jehovah Nissi: Exposition of Exodus 17:8-16 BE ON THE ALERT: gregoresate (2PAAM): 1 Peter 5 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries 1 Peter 5:5-14 Exhortations to the Flock - Jack Arnold 1 Peter 5:6-14 Growing Solid Through Suffering - Steven Cole 1 Peter 5:8 Fundamental Attitudes for Spiritual Maturity-Pt 2 - John MacArthur 1 Peter 5:8-14 Fundamental Attitudes for Spiritual Maturity-Pt 3 - John MacArthur THE IMPORTANCE OF WATCHFULNESS Be on the alert - Another version says "be vigilant" which means be watchful, be circumspect, be attentive to discover and avoid danger and/or provide for safety. Be on alert (1127) (gregoreuo from egeiro = to arise, arouse) means to be watchful or to refrain from physical sleep. Later gregoreuo came to used in the moral and religious sphere and was used to call for one to be on the alert, in a constant state of readiness and vigilant (alertly watchful especially to avoid danger this word suggesting intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness; keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger as others are sleeping or unsuspicious). We are to be be watchful and ready to respond to external influences, focused, alert for the winds of temptation or overt attacks of evil. We are to remained alert lest we be deceived by the devil the deceiver or sin which is deceitful (Heb 3:13). Gregoreuo -22 times in the NAS - Mt. 24:42, 43; 25:13; 26:38, 40, 41; Mk. 13:34, 35, 37; 14:34, 37, 38; Lk. 12:37; Acts 20:31; 1 Co. 16:13; Col. 4:2; 1Th 5:6, 10; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev 3:2, 3; 16:15. Gregoreuo is translated: alert, 10; awake, 1; keep, 1; keep watch, 4; keep watching, 1; keeping alert, 1; stay on the alert, 1; stays awake, 1; wake, 2 Gregoreuo 5x in the Septuagint - Neh 7:3; Jer 5:6; 31:28; Lam 1:14; Da 9:14. Most of the NT uses are in reference to the Christians’ being spiritually awake and alert, as opposed to being spiritually indifferent and listless. Gregoreuo conveys the idea of alertness. It is like a sleeping man rousing himself. It means to give strict attention to, to be active, to take heed lest through remissness and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. Secular Greek used gregoreuo to describe people carefully crossing a river while stepping on slippery stones. If they did not pay strict attention to their steps, they would end up in the water. So the idea of vigilance is to stay alert and cautious. Gregoreuo, is used of mental alertness, the condition of the mind opposite to that which characterizes it in sleep. Gregoreuo means to to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. "Confidence in God must not lead to slackness; the spiritual warfare that they wage demands vigilance" (Beare) Gregoreuo is aorist imperative, (see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) which commands every believer to "Stay awake!", obeying even with a sense of urgency. Be ready! Watch out! Be vigilant! Note that a strong trust in God's power and watch care and a confidence that we can cast our anxiety on Him does not justify carelessness on our part. In other words, in spiritual warfare we cannot take the approach to simply "Let go and let God!" It is imperative Paul says that we not become indolent and lazy and let down our guard or we will become victims of the enemy. The outside forces that come against us demand us to be alert and vigilant. Charles Simeon writes that... Unwatchfulness, even in a victorious army, exposes it to defeat: much more must it subject us to the power of our subtle enemy. St. Peter had experienced its baneful effects. He had been warned of Satan’s intention to assault him (Lk 22:31). He had been commanded to pray lest he should fall by the temptation (Lk 22:40); but he slept when he should have been praying (Lk 22:45, 46). He stands in this respect, like Lot’s wife (Lk 17:32, Ge 19:26), a monument to future generations; but vigilance on our part will counteract the designs of Satan. The armed Christian, watching unto prayer, must be victorious (Ep 6:18-note).. (1 Peter 5:8, 9 The Means of Defeating Satan's Malice) In secular Greek gregoreuo was used to describe people carefully crossing a river while stepping on slippery stones. If they did not pay strict attention to their steps, they would end up in the water. So the idea of vigilance is to stay alert and cautious. The enemy is very subtle, Paul recording that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" and "his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2Cor 11:14,15) Alertness is required because our enemy rarely shows himself for who he is. He almost always masks himself as a religious personality, almost always endeavoring somehow in some way to be able to approach you subtly so that you can't recognize the reality of who he is. So you need to "be on the alert"! Most of the 22 uses of gregoreuo are in the latter part of Gospels in the context of Jesus' imminent crucifixion and departure and the exhortation to His disciples to be on the alert for His future return. Thus He declared Therefore be on the alert (gregoreuo), for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Mt 24:42) Jesus concluded the parable of the 10 virgins with the warning Be on the alert (gregoreuo) then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. (Mt 25:13) As Augustine wisely stated “The last day is a secret, that every day may be watched.” A man should live every day as if it were his last. Gregoreuo is used three times in Mark 13 which closes with an exhortation to watchfulness and prayer in view of the Lord’s Return. Jesus' addressing His disciples, Peter and James and John and Andrew, on the Mount of Olives tells them a parable of the doorkeeper, declaring that It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert (gregoreuo). Therefore, be on the alert (gregoreuo)-- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or in the morning-- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert (gregoreuo)!' (Mk 13:34, 35, 36, 37)
1 Pedro 5:8
Barclay writes that is but a small step from the thought of one who searches for everything thing that can be said against a man to the thought of one who deliberately and maliciously slanders man in the presence of God." (The Gospel of Mark. The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Barclay also writes that diabolos the devil, is the patron saint of all slanderers and of all slanderers he is chief. There is a sense in which slander is the most cruel of all sins. If a man’s goods are stolen, he can set to and build up his fortunes again; but if his good name is taken away, irreparable damage has been done. It is one thing to start an evil and untrue report on its malicious way; it is entirely another thing to stop it. As Shakespeare had it... Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; ‘tis something, nothing; “Twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed. Many men and women, who would never dream of stealing, think nothing—even find pleasure—in passing on a story which ruins someone else’s good name, without even trying to find out whether or not it is true. There is slander enough in many a church to make the recording angel weep as he records it." (The letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Note that this discussion of diabolos is intended to focus primarily on the meaning of the Greek word and not the more general Biblical teaching on the devil. For more all inclusive articles on "the Devil" click one of the following resources - see study on spiritual warfare and the devil's schemes in Ephesians 6:11. note. Related Resources: Torrey's topic the Devil American Tract Society Devil Baker Evangelical Dictionary Devil Charles Buck Dictionary Devil Possession of the Devil Easton's Bible Dictionary Devil Fausset Bible Dictionary Devil Holman Bible Dictionary Devil Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Devil Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Devil Devil 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Devil International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Devil Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Devil The Jewish Encyclopedia Devil Diabolos is coupled with the word “Satan” (transliteration of Hebrew word meaning “adversary”) in the Revelation, John recording that an angel from heaven laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2 - note) Diabolos is used of one who makes accusations and presses charges. In Revelation 12:9-10, we read that the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser (kategor) of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses (kategoreo - present tense = describes the devil's continual activity) them before our God day and night. (see notes Revelation 12:9; 10) How grateful saints can be that There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (see note Romans 8:1) Are you safe and protected from the devil's accusations "in Christ Jesus" dear reader? If not, cry out this very moment to the Most High God for Him to give you His grace that you might this moment experience eternal security in Christ through your exercising of personal faith in Christ's life, death, burial, resurrection and sure, soon return. God is faithful. William Evans wrote that it is popular in some circles to day to spell the word devil with the letter "d" left off thus reducing the idea of an actual person called the devil to a mere influence called evil. The devil may be out of fashion, but he's not out of business and as Evans adds... If the devil can't mislead people that way, he would have them think of him as a horrible, monstrous-looking creature with a forked tail, dressed in a fiery red suit, and with horns protruding from his head. If the devil can get folks to think of him like that, then when he comes as an 'angel of light', he will not be recognized, and so find it easier to beguile his unsuspecting victims. Diabolos is used 16 times in the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT, several of the uses recorded below. Note that it is not surprising that 10 of the 16 uses of diabolos are in Job 1-2! Diabolos is the usual rendering of the Hebrew word Satan (accuse, accuser) in the Septuagint (LXX), suggesting that these two words are virtually interchangeable or synonymous. The English translation of the Septuagint (Brenton's English Translation of the Septuagint) of Job 1:7 is illustrative of the 10 uses of diabolos in Job... And the Lord said to the devil, "Whence art thou come? And the devil answered the Lord, and said, I am come from wandering about (cf prowls around) on the earth, and walking up and down in the world. So even in the OT we see that the Devil was prowling about like a roaring lion seeking someone he might devour. He is wandering through the earth looking for victims. He tried to devour Job but was unsuccessful and in fact what that the devil meant for evil, God used for good (see Job's "revelation" in Job 42:5, 6). We need to understand that spiritual warfare is real. Our enemy is not a figment of some science fiction writers imagination. And God calls on us as His children to stand against the Adversary in the grace in which we stand and the promised Spirit which He has given us when we placed our faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Zechariah we read Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord (Christ), and Satan (LXX = diabolos) standing at his right hand to accuse him. (Zech 3:1) The psalmist writes Appoint a wicked man over him; and let an accuser (LXX = diabolos) stand at his right hand. (Psalm 109:6) In First Chronicles we read that Then Satan (LXX = diabolos) stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. (1Chr 21:1) King David a man after God's own heart (see Acts 13:22, cf 1Sa 16:7) clearly was not immune to the temptations of the Devil. This "attack" on David was not a surprise to God for the parallel passage in 2Samuel suggests that God permitted Satan to attack (God's "permissive will")... Now again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah." (2Sa 24:1) What "foothold" had David allowed Satan? Why did God permit Satan to tempt David to number the troops (take a census)? The following verse shows that David recognized his census taking was a sin (even a great sin - read the context for how many lost their lives because of this sin!) and it appears most likely that it was the sin of pride ("Look how big my army is"). For a moment David took his eyes off his Lord and what He had enabled him to accomplish, and gave Satan a foothold or base of operations from which to shoot fiery missiles to his mind... Now David's heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Thy servant, for I have acted very foolishly. (2Sa 24:10) Dearly beloved, stay sober and ever on the alert! We are in a very real war with real victims (70,000 lost their lives as a result of David's sin above!) and real devastation. And yet remember that we are no where told to fear the Devil nor his power, but we are told to be aware of his continuous evil schemes to destroy us. If you are fearful or doubting, treasure the truth in your heart that in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels (including diabolos), nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (see notes Romans 8:37-39) Did you notice how Romans 8 begins and ends? It begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation for those in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior forever. Glory! John Angell James... What a description of your adversary! One who . . .for power is a "lion," for cruelty and rage, a "roaring lion," for activity, "walking about," for diligence, "seeking" out his prey, for destructive purposes, "seeking whom he may devour." Satan's power, though limited and restrained, is very great. His trickery is equal to his power. His malignity is not inferior to either. The very idea that this cunning foe that may be near us at any moment, unseen, and therefore unnoticed, and may be preparing some new kind of attack, is indeed sufficient to alarm us, and to put us upon the best means of averting the danger. "Be vigilant!" Watchfulness is an essential duty of the Christian life—none is more necessary—none is more frequently or more solemnly enjoined. Who that is asleep can defend himself against a lion? How cautiously, would we walk, if we were in a country where wild beasts are common, and saw the footprints, and actually heard the roar of a lion! Such is our situation! See to it, then, that you do walk vigilantly—looking all round, watching every object, lest it conceal the enemy! Be vigilant over . . .your trials, your comforts, your occupations, your tastes, your pleasures, your thoughts, your desires, your besetting sins, and especially, watch your hearts with all diligence! An unwatchful Christian is sure to be an unsuccessful one. Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, The devil's most devilish when respectable. Samuel Chadwick, a great English preacher, said, The one concern of the devil is to keep us from praying. Puritan Joseph Hall added that the devil... rocks the cradle when we sleep at our devotions. One of the most devious devices of the devil is to convince people that he no longer exists, or to trivialize himself as an old goat in a red costume, with a forked tail. As someone has wisely quipped "God is not dead, but neither is Satan." William Shakespeare even wrote about the devil stating that The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose," and in another place noted that "The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape. John Robinson describing the schemes of the devil said that He sometimes slanders God to men, as to Eve.... sometimes men to God, as Job.... and continually, man to man. Of combat against the devil Martin Luther said that... The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to the texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn. Remembering that Jesus called the devil the "father of lies" (John 8:44), Paul Matlock framed this telling sentence: Satan deals with confusion and lies. Put the truth in front of him and he is gone. Prowls (4043) (peripateo from peri = around, about + pateo = tread, trample) means that diabolos literally treads all around. Not surprising, is in the present tense indicating that diabolos is continually treading about all over the earth actively seeking victims. This fact of his ceaseless activity calls for every saint to likewise be continually sober and alert. Grant Richison warns us that... The Devil uses stealth. He stalks every Christian. He is now on the loose. He is on the prowl looking to trap you in his devices. The Devil always seeks opportunities to undermine our Christian walk. He is constantly on the prowl. He is not omnipresent for he can only be in one place at a time. However, he has a massive infrastructure of emissaries (demons) who do his bidding. They seek to seduce every one of us. The Devil says, "I am looking for the spiritually naive. I'm patrolling the earth for simple souls who think that I am not real." The idea that the Devil walks about in a red union suit, having a forked tail and cloven hoofs and carries a pitch fork is a religious fairy tale. He camouflages himself with this idea. (Richison, G. Today's Word) Related Resources: Holman Bible Dictionary - Satan American Tract Society Satan Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Satan Baker Evangelical Dictionary Satan Easton's Bible Dictionary Satan Fausset Bible Dictionary Satan Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Satan Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Satan (2) Satan Watson's Theological Dictionary Satan Most of the following are from gotquestions.org an excellent Bibliocentric resource. Was Satan an angel? How, why, and when did Satan fall from heaven? Does Satan exist? Who is Satan? Who is the devil? How much power does Satan possess? What does it mean that Satan is the accuser? Why did Satan think he could defeat God? Is Lucifer Satan? Does the fall of Lucifer describe Satan? Is Satan the master of hell? Do Satan and his demons punish people in hell? God vs. Satan - if God is all-powerful, why does He not just kill Satan? Does Satan have to get God's permission before he can attack us? What does Satan look like? What do demons look like? Did God create Satan? What did Jesus mean when He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”? Why are both Jesus and Satan referred to as the morning star? Does Satan still have access to Heaven? Why does God allow Satan to enter Heaven, as recorded in the Bible? Is Satan in hell? Where is Satan? Are Jesus and Satan brothers? Does a believer have authority over Satan? Why does God allow Satan to attack us? Is the devil / Satan a person or a force / personification of evil? What does it mean that Satan is prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)? How is Satan god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)? Does Satan have the power to control the weather? Can Satan read our minds or know our thoughts? If God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him? What does it mean that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44)? Why did God allow Satan and the demons to sin? Was Satan in charge of music in Heaven? Why is God going to release Satan after the 1000 years? Why were Michael and Satan disputing over the body of Moses (Jude 9)? Is the king of Tyre prophecy in Ezekiel 28 referring to Satan? Questions about Angels & Demons Was Satan the serpent in Genesis chapter 3? Why did Jesus say to Peter, “Get behind me Satan”? What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light? Did Jesus fight Satan for the keys to the kingdom? Is it possible to make a deal with the devil? What is the unholy trinity in the end times? What is Satanism? What are the various theories on the atonement? Did one third of the angels fall with Lucifer? What is Luciferianism? Is the war in heaven in Revelation 12 describing Satan's original fall or an end times angelic battle? Are demons fallen angels? OUR ENEMY'S TACTICS: OPEN VIOLENCE SECRET TREACHERY Thomas Watson ("The Christian Soldier" 1669) We read in Scripture of Satan's snares and darts; he hurts more by his snares than by his darts! Satan opposes us both by open violence, and secret treachery. 1. Satan opposes by open violence—so he is called the Red Dragon. He labors to storm the castle of the heart; he stirs up passion, lust and revenge. These are called "fiery darts," Ep 6:16, because they often set the soul on fire. Satan in regard to his fierceness, is called a lion, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour!" 1Pe 5:8. Not whom he may bite—but devour! 2. Satan opposes by secret treachery—so he is called the Old Serpent. What he cannot do by force, he will endeavor to do by fraud. Satan has several subtle devices in tempting: Satan suits his temptations to the temper of the individual. Satan studies our dispositions, and lays suitable baits. He knew Achan's covetous heart, and tempted him with a wedge of gold. He tempts the youthful man with lust. Satan tempts to sin gradually. He steals into into the heart by degrees. He is at first, more modest. He did not say to Eve at first, "Eat the apple!" No! but he goes more subtly to work. He puts forth a question, "Has God said? Surely Eve, you are mistaken; the bountiful God never intended to debar one of the best trees of the garden. Has God said? Surely, either God did not say it; or if He did, He never really intended it." Thus by degrees he wrought her to distrust God, and then she took of the fruit and ate. Oh, take heed of Satan's first motions to sin, which seem more modest. He is first a fox, and then a lion. Satan tempts to evil in lawful things. It was lawful for Noah to eat the fruit of the grape; but he took too much, and so sinned. Excess turns that which is good—into evil. Eating and drinking may turn to intemperance. Industry in one's calling, when excessive, becomes covetousness. Satan draws men to an immoderate love of the creature, and then makes them sin in that which they love—as Agrippina poisoned her husband Claudius, in that food which he loved most. Satan puts men upon doing good, out of evil ends. If he cannot hurt them by scandalous actions—he will by virtuous actions. Thus he tempts some to espouse religion out of ulterior motives. He tempts others to give to charity, for applause, that others may see their good works. "Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one!" Ephesians 6:16. We must resist the devil by faith. Faith is a wise, intelligent grace. Faith can see a hook under the bait! Faith keeps the castle of the heart, so that it does not yield. Faith beats back the temptation. Faith holds the promise in one hand, and Christ in the other. The promise encourages faith, and Christ strengthens it; so faith beats the enemy out of the field! We overcome Satan upon our knees! A Christian by prayer fetches in auxiliary forces from Heaven. In all temptations, go to God by prayer. "Lord, teach me to use every piece of the spiritual armor—how to hold the shield, how to wear the helmet, how to use the sword of the Spirit. Lord, strengthen me in the battle; let me rather die a conqueror—than be taken prisoner, and led captive by Satan!" Remember that Christ has given Satan his death-wound upon the cross. He has bruised the head of the old Serpent! He is a chained enemy, and a conquered enemy; therefore do not fear him. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!" James 4:7. "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet!" Romans 16:20. Torrey's Topic - The Devil Sinned against God -2 Peter 2:4; 1 John 3:8 Cast out of heaven -Luke 10:18 Cast down to hell -2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6 The author of the fall -Genesis 3:1,6,14,24 Tempted Christ -Matthew 4:3-10 Perverts the Scripture -Matthew 4:6; Psalms 91:11,12 Opposes God’s work -Zechariah 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Hinders the gospel -Matthew 13:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4 Works lying wonders -2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 16:14 Assumes the form of an angel of light -2 Corinthians 11:14 THE WICKED Are the children of -Matthew 13:38; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10 Turn aside after -1 Timothy 5:15 Do the lusts of -John 8:44 Possessed by -Luke 22:3; Acts 5:3; Ephesians 2:2 Blinded by -2 Corinthians 4:4 Deceived by -1 Kings 22:21,22; Revelation 20:7,8 Ensnared by -1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26 Troubled by -1 Samuel 16:14 Punished, together with -Matthew 25:41 SAINTS Afflicted by, only as God permits -Job 1:12; 2:4-7 Tempted by -1 Chronicles 21:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Sifted by -Luke 22:31 Should resist -James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9 Should be armed against -Ephesians 6:11-16 Should be watchful against -2 Corinthians 2:11 Overcome -1 John 2:13; Revelation 12:10,11 Shall finally triumph over -Romans 16:20 TRIUMPH OVER, BY CHRIST Predicted - Genesis 3:15 In resisting his temptations -Matthew 4:11 In casting out the spirits of -Luke 11:20; 13:32 In empowering his disciples to cast out -Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:17 In destroying the works of -1 John 3:8 Completed by his death -Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14 Illustrated -Luke 11:21,22 CHARACTER OF Presumptuous -Job 1:6; Matthew 4:5,6 Proud -1 Timothy 3:6 Powerful -Ephesians 2:2; 6:12 Wicked -1 John 2:13 Malignant -Job 1:9; 2:4 Subtle -Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3 Deceitful -2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:11 Fierce and cruel -Luke 8:29; 9:39,42; 1 Peter 5:8 Cowardly -James 4:7 The Apostasy is of -2 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:1 Shall be condemned at the judgment -Jude 1:6; Revelation 20:10 Everlasting fire is prepared for -Matthew 25:41 Compared to A fowler -Psalms 91:3 Fowls -Matthew 13:4 A sower of tares - Matthew 13:25,28 A wolf - John 10:12 A roaring lion -1 Peter 5:8 A serpent -Revelation 12:9; 20:2 Titles and Names of the Devil Abaddon -Revelation 9:11 Accuser of our brethren -Revelation 12:10 Adversary -1 Peter 5:8 Angel of the bottomless pit -Revelation 9:11 Apollyon -Revelation 9:11 Beelzebub -Matthew 12:24 Belial -2 Corinthians 6:15 Crooked serpent -Isaiah 27:1 Dragon -Isaiah 27:1; Revelation 20:2 Enemy -Matthew 13:39 Evil spirit -1 Samuel 16:14 Father of lies -John 8:44 Great red dragon -Revelation 12:3 Leviathan -Isaiah 27:1 Liar -John 8:44 Lying spirit -1 Kings 22:22 Murderer -John 8:44 Old serpent -Revelation 12:9; 20:2 Piercing serpent -Isaiah 27:1 Power of darkness -Colossians 1:13 Prince of this world -John 14:30 Prince of the devils -Matthew 12:24 Prince of the power of the air -Ephesians 2:2 Ruler of the darkness of this world -Ephesians 6:12 Satan -1 Chronicles 21:1; Job 1:6 Serpent -Genesis 3:4,16; 2 Corinthians 11:3 Spirit that works in the children of disobedience -Ephesians 2:2 Tempter -Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5 The god of this world -2 Corinthians 4:4 Unclean spirit -Matthew 12:43 Wicked-one -Matthew 13:19,38 John