One of the keys for military victory is to understand and recognize the strategy of one's opponent, and then develop a strategic plan of one's own to combat and defeat. And what is true militarily is also true spiritually, for we are at war. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against our real enemy, the devil. He is out to ruin an destroy us. SO, it is important that we adopt a winning strategy to overcome his attacks. Peter lays one out. We must first of all be sober. No need to panic, but we can remain cool, calm, and collected. But we must secondly be vigilant, be on our guard, watchful for his attacks. We know the moves he can make, the weapons in his arsenal for we are not ignorant of his devices. He seeks to cast doubt on God's character and on the truthfulness, reliability of God's Word. He lures us away from our devotion to Christ through this sinful world, especially focusing on sexual temptation. He seeks to divide and conquer through destroying relationship by unresolved anger, unforgiving spirit, and narcissistic pride. Knowing his strategy, we must therefore resist him-- take our stand against him, putting on the protection God's provides, firmly grounded in God's Word, and then standing together with other believers, so as not to be victimized by him. Through drawing near to God, resisting the devil, he will flee from us. We can be overcomes by following the winning strategy!!! |
