“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”
1 Peter 5:8–9
That word "terrorism" has entered our world in a big way. It's purpose is to do harm. It's power is hate. It's hope is to put fear into hearts and to take away our peaceful existence. It is evil manifested through certain humans to harm other humans.
At least that's my take on it. But terrorism isn't a new concept. From the beginning of time evil has been allowed by God to enter our world. And Satan, the devil, has been allowed to roam this earth, bringing fear and destruction into people's lives.
Peter writes a warning to the Christian community of this spiritual terrorism. We are called to "stay alert" and to "watch out for the enemy" whose sole purpose is to seek out the weak ones of the flock and even the strong ones who have a moment of weakness. His ultimate purpose is to do harm. His power is hate for God, especially Jesus, and for us, Christ's followers. And we see evidence of this terrorism in families, marriages and even in churches. Christians are not exempt from Satan's attacks to draw us away from God and each other. These attacks aren't often noticeable but are subtle and crafty as we have seen in the temptation with Eve or even with Jesus Himself.
Peter gives bold instruction. He speaks almost in military tones. Ordering the Christian soldier to be on guard for Satan's attacks. And then to be courageous in standing up to this spiritual bully. And for us to be strong in our faith. Not depending on faith in ourselves but faith in the One who came to be with us, "Emmanuel", our God with us. Jesus has won the war against our enemy by defeating sin and death. We are His forever. He is our champion. In His name we can claim victory over Satan. Perfect love drives out fear and Jesus is that perfect love. Listen also to Paul's warning to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
(Read Ephesians 6:13-18 for putting on that armor.)
