Your Real Adversary
I Peter 5:8-10
As we continue to think about the reality of trials in our lives, and the challenge it is to handle those
trials, I want to point you to another important teaching about trials in today's devotional. You need to realize who your adversary is. It is not God; it is the devil. Look at
1 Peter 5:8-9, Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced
by your brotherhood in the world.
Some of the trials and sufferings that we experience are the direct result of the adversary's work. Some
people want to blame God for everything, but the Bible says it is the thief (the devil) who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to give us life and more abundantly.
Peter makes this even clearer in verse 10, But may the God of all grace, who called
us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Our God is the God of grace. The devil is seeking to devour.
Frankly, I hate the middle part of this verse, After you have suffered for a while... Clearly, God
wants us to understand that suffering is going to happen. Trials are going to happen. No matter how much you may say, "I don't receive it!", it is still there! You are going to
go through difficult times. It is part of the human experience.
But when you go through that time of trial, remember not to blame God. It is the devil who is your
adversary!
By Bayless Conley
For Your Information
Upcoming Events
During the month of October in our AM Worship Services, we will be exploring the iLife. What we are talking about is the life that is
being lived out intentionally. This last Sunday we talked about iDie, intentional dying to our sinful self. That message is on the church website if you
missed it, or you can click here. Next week we will be delving into
iWorship, then iPray, and to close October iLove. Please make every effort to be here, for it can change your life if you put into
practice intentional living.
October 20, 2010 - Quarterly Business Meeting at 7:30 PM
October 23, 2010 - Fall Festival at Lynn & Buck's house. More details to come.
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Check Us Out On The Web
Visit us at www.fbcmidway.com for more information about our church, as well as previous
sermons. Our website has much to offer. .
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