Sunday morning we looked at the first aspect of the curse in Genesis 3. It begins with enmity between the serpent and the woman and between their offspring. This provides tremendous insight into our experience. The Christian message is that humanity is under siege. We are at war.
Our common enemy is not the cartoonish horned beast of fantasy, nor the invisible possessor of small children and killer nuns in our horror movies. The Biblical description of Satan is a subtle voice, masquerading as a messenger of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) His work is to distort the truth and to deceive the mind, leading us from Christ into chaos and destruction. (2 Corinthians 11:3; 4:4)
Understanding the battle around us makes sense of much of our suffering. It causes us to reconsider our expectations in life and calls us to a life of self-control. It gives us sensitivity to the inner struggles and hardships of the people around us. And it gives a new motivation in our spiritual disciplines.
1 Peter 5:8 tells us that our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. This is a source of strength and vigilance in our Christian lives which adds a seriousness to our work.
Parents, raise your children in the Lord, because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Encourage one another, because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Let us not give up meeting together, because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Abstain from sinful desires, because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Love your neighbor, because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Our greatest defense in the war against our souls is so simple we often neglect it—a daily time of prayer and Bible reading. Here’s a simple way to add this routine to your schedule: How To Have a Daily Quiet Time (Navigators.org).
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown