Victory in Your Battles

Just when I was on the verge of being devoured once again by the devil, not to mention totally unable to see that he was behind the fierce struggle in which I was engaged, God took me scuba diving into a much deeper study of four verses I had studied countless times before. This time, I rose back up to the surface with a precious pearl of wisdom I knew would help me secure the victory I needed and desired.

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First, God calls us to humble ourselves. We cannot have victory against the devil in our own strength. We need to submit to God and to His will, i.e. His Word. Next, we need to cast ALL our cares on God. The word translated into “care” also means “through the idea of distraction,” per the concordance. Our cares, or worries, are often distractions from God and His will for our lives. We need to focus on Him and His Word, not on our trials and tribulations.

Next, we need to be “sober” and “vigilant”. Sober also means “watch”, and vigilant also means “to stay awake,” per the concordance. We need to be watching and awake. Why? Because the devil is our “adversary”, or opponent. He prowls around like a roaring lion, which implies intimidation. He’s trying to scare us into thinking we are defeated, which we will be if we listen to him, believe him, and follow him instead of God. He “walks about”, which implies he is on the move. What is he doing? “SEEKING.” He is LOOKING for his next meal! He is looking for people to “DEVOUR”. This word also means gulp and swallow whole, per the concordance. He wants to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).

What do we need to do? “RESIST” him. Resist also means to stand against or oppose, per the concordance. Not run away! Not cower! Not quit! How do we resist him? “IN THE FAITH.” In faith in God! We need to be “STEADFAST”. This also means “solid,” “strong”, and “sure,” per the concordance. Our victory is in our faith in Christ and our commitment to live according to God’s ways instead of our own.

I have so incredibly far to go in heeding these instructions for victory I feel like I will never make it, but I am relentless in pursuing the Lord and His ways. Are you?  

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 

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