Dear Church,

What an amazing Sunday! Glory to God. We heard Peter’s charge: “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:9).

Here’s the takeaway for this week: the secret of spiritual warfare is simple, steadfast resistance. Scripture tells us to flee certain sins (1 Cor 6:18; 10:14; 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22), but it never tells us to flee the devil. Most Christians try to resist temptation and flee from the Devil, and it always fail.

We resist the Devil, by planting our feet on what God has said and refusing to move.

We resist when we Pray when pressed.  If the enemy turns up the volume, turn up your prayer.  If his attacks drive you to Christ, he’ll soon give it up.

We resist by answering the roar with the Word. “It is written…” beats “I feel like…” every time.

We resist by staying close to the flock.  Isolation feeds temptation; community fuels courage. 

We resist by standing in grace. You’re not fighting for victory but from Jesus’ victory. The God of all grace will steady you.

Hold the line, Church. The Lion of Judah out-roars the enemy.

Be Encouraged,
Mathews