Sober Strategy to Victory

Daily Scripture Threshing for Friday, April 4, 2025

Today's Text: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

At the very heart of Peter's first letter is his encouragement to all believers to resist the devil and his schemes. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, made it clear that the goal of the devil is mainly that of a robber who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The only way to counterattack him, Peter says, is to be alert, sober-minded, and to understand how he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

This is consistent with Jesus's admonition to him (Peter himself) in Luke 22:31, when Satan asked to sift him and the rest of them as wheat. The devil certainly represents several metaphors for negative forces that cause suffering and destruction in the world. We are hereby reminded to be vigilant and to resist him, his temptations, and evil influences. That is what Apostle Peter is doing here. He would not have us unaware that the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. But, more importantly, we can resist him by being sober-minded and watchful in prayer.

The importance of resisting the devil can never be overemphasized. As followers of Christ, we are in a daily, moment-by-moment spiritual battle, and our adversary is the devil, who is constantly seeking to attack and destroy us. While reflecting on the devil's schemes, Martin Luther, in his 1535 Commentary on Galatians, said that He is a cunning foe, but also a defeated foe, whose power has been broken through Christ's death and resurrection.

Therefore, we are not powerless against his attacks. We can resist him with confidence by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and standing firm in our faith. So, have you ever felt like giving in to the devil's temptations or attacks? Remember that you are not alone. Many believers of old, and today, have learned this scripture truth of how to resist the devil and his schemes through sober watchfulness. You too can.

Action Steps: Ask God to give you the strength and courage to resist the devil and his schemes. Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to protect yourself from the devil's attacks. Stand firm in your faith and resist the devil's temptations. Surround yourself with supportive fellow believers who can encourage and strengthen you.

Quote for the Day: "Resisting the devil shows that we are willing to stand firm against our one foe that can only tight but cant conquer. Resisting him by faith is putting him and his schemes where they belong." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You today, asking for the strength and courage to resist the devil and his schemes. Help me to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm in my faith. Give me opportunities to share Your Word with others and encourage them to resist the devil's temptations. Surround me with supportive fellow believers who can encourage and strengthen me — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this journey. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Psalm 91:1-16; Ephesians 6:10-18; and James 4:7-8.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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