Resisting the Devil
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)
Our adversary is a prowler. He comes without announcement, and, to make matters worse, he comes in counterfeit garb. He is brilliant, and you and I had better respect that brilliance.
I’ve heard young Christians say things like, “This Christian life is thrilling. I’m ready to take on the Devil.” When I can, I pull them aside and say, “Don’t say that. It’s a stupid comment! You’re dealing with the invisible realm. You’re dealing with a power you cannot withstand yourself and a presence you have no knowledge of when you say something like that. Get serious. Be on the alert.” Usually that’s enough to wake them up. Every once in a while, it’s helpful to be knocked down a notch or two, especially when we’re starting to feel a little big for our britches.
Don’t be fooled by your own pride or softened by some medieval caricature of an “impish” little devil. Our adversary is a murderer, and except for the Lord Himself, he’s never met his match. We may hate him . . . but, like any deadly enemy, we had better respect him and keep our distance. There’s a war on!
Once we have enough respect for Satan’s insidious ways to stay alert and ready for his attacks, the best method for handling him is strong resistance. That resistance is not done in our own strength, however, but comes from being “firm in faith.” An example of this can be seen in the wilderness temptations of Christ when He resisted Satan with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1–11).
You know what helps me when I sense I’m in the presence of the enemy? Nothing works better for me in resisting the Devil than quoting Scripture. I usually quote God’s Word in such situations. One of the most important reasons for maintaining the discipline of Scripture memory is to have it ready on our lips when the enemy comes near and attacks. And you’ll know it when he does. I don’t know how to describe it, but the longer you walk with God, the more you will be able to sense the enemy’s presence.
Taken from Hope Again by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1996 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
