Know Your Enemy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not From Around Here: The Complicated Life of a Sojourner \/ Satan; Spiritual Warfare \/ 1 Peter 5:8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Warren Wiersbe tells this story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since I have no mechanical ability, I admire people who can build and repair things. During a church building program, I was watching an electrician install a complex control panel. I said to the man, \u201cIt just amazes me how you fellows can calmly work on those lines with all of that power there. How do you do it?\u201d The electrician smiled and said, \u201cWell, the first thing you have to do is respect it. Then you can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \tSatan is a dangerous enemy. He is a serpent who can bite us when we least expect it. He is a destroyer (Abaddon and Apollyon both mean \u201cdestruction\u201d) and an accuser (Zech. 3:1\u20135<\/a>; Rev. 12:9\u201311<\/a>). He has great power and intelligence, and a host of demons who assist him in his attacks against God\u2019s people (Eph. 6:10ff<\/a>). He is a formidable enemy; we must never joke about him, ignore him, or underestimate his ability. We must \u201cbe sober\u201d and have our minds under control when it comes to our conflict with Satan.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 432.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tonight we are going to look at a familiar and powerful verse. We are going to be reminded that we cannot be lulled into a false sense of safety. Our foe, an evil predator, is lurking in the shadows. It is important that you know your enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Sober!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Peter 5:8<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 30.25 ????a: (a figurative extension of meaning of ???? \u2018to be sober, to not be drunk,\u2019 probably not occurring in the NT; see 88.86) to be in control of one\u2019s thought processes and thus not be in danger of irrational thinking\u2014\u2018to be sober-minded, to be well composed in mind.\u2019 ???? ?????????? ??? ??????? \u2018but we should be awake and sober-minded\u2019 1 Th 5:6<\/a>. It is also possible to understand ???? in 1 Th 5:6<\/a> as meaning \u2018self-control,\u2019 as a characteristic of moral behavior (see 88.86).1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 352.<\/p>\n\n\n\n nepho (????, 3525) signifies \u201cto be free from the influence of intoxicants\u201d; in the NT, metaphorically, it does not in itself imply watchfulness, but is used in association with it, 1 Thess. 5:6<\/a>, 8<\/a>; 2 Tim. 4:5<\/a>; 1 Pet. 1:13<\/a>; 4:7<\/a>, rv (kjv, \u201cwatch\u201d); 5:8.\u00b6 Cf. eknepho and ananepho, under AWAKE, No. 3 and Note.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 583.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 24:42\u201343<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Thessalonians 5:6<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Vigilant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Peter 5:8<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 27.56 ????????b: (a figurative extension of meaning of ????????a \u2018to stay awake,\u2019 23.72) to be in continuous readiness and alertness to learn\u2014\u2018to be alert, to be watchful, to be vigilant.\u2019 ??????????, ??????? ?? ?? ?????? \u2018be alert, stand fast in the faith\u2019 1 Cor 16:13.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 332.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The words \u201cbe vigilant\u201d in the Greek present the idea of \u201cbe awake and watchful.\u201d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest\u2019s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 129.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Corinthians 16:13<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Aware<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Peter 5:8<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Of Who Your Enemy Is<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our adversary<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enemy (compare Matt 5:25<\/a>) is literally \u201cplaintiff\u201d or \u201copponent in a lawsuit\u201d (compare Prov 18:7<\/a>), but in an extended sense is used to mean an enemy (compare Est 8:11<\/a>). Devil also carries the same meaning (that is, \u201caccuser\u201d), but with the implication that the charge is false. It is possible, however, that Devil has already become a title or a name, and the TEV indicates this understanding by capitalizing the word (also Brc).1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the First Letter from Peter, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1980), 167.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 39.9 ?????????b, ?? m: one who is actively and continuously hostile toward someone\u2014\u2018adversary, enemy.\u2019 ? ????????? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ????????? ????????? \u2018your adversary, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion\u2019 1 Pe 5:8.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 492.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Devil<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word \u201cdevil\u201d is the word used in the English translation for diabolos (????????) which comes from a word diaballo (????????) which means literally, \u201cto throw over or across, to send over.\u201d It was used in classical Greek with the meanings, \u201cto traduce, calumniate, slander, accuse, defame,\u201d and was used not only of those who bring a false charge against one, but also of those who disseminate the truth concerning a man and do so maliciously, insidiously, with hostility.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest\u2019s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 129.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nt uses both \u201cSatan\u201d and \u201cdevil\u201d as terms for the chief figure of evil in the Bible. The Hebrew term satan used in the ot means \u201cadversary\u201d (e.g., Job 1:6<\/a>, 12<\/a>; 2:1<\/a>; Zech 3:1\u20132<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Satan in the Old Testament and the Serpent of Genesis 3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour Peter alerts his audience to the devil\u2019s constant threat to the people of God (compare 2 Cor 2:11<\/a>).1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 1 Pe 5:8<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This spiritual adversary, shadowy in the OT, was developed in the Intertestamental period and with that background appears in the NT as a well-known image, either as Satan (i.e., a transliterated form of the Hebrew; e.g., Mark 1:13<\/a> and Mark 8:33<\/a> and their parallels; 1 Cor. 5:5<\/a>; 7:5<\/a>) or as \u201cthe devil,\u201d as here (i.e., a translation of the Hebrew term, meaning \u201cslanderer\u201d; e.g., Matt. 4:1<\/a>, 8<\/a>, 11<\/a>; Eph. 4:27<\/a>; 6:11<\/a>; cf. 1 Tim. 3:11<\/a>; 2 Tim. 3:3<\/a>; Tit. 2:3<\/a> for the general use of the word). Our author further describes him as an \u201cadversary,\u201d a term that originally meant \u201copponent in a lawsuit\u201d (Matt. 5:25<\/a>; Luke 12:58<\/a>; 18:3<\/a>) and may mean that here (should Peter be thinking of the picture in Job or Zechariah, or the scene in Rev. 12:10<\/a>, in which Satan accuses the righteous before God) but is more likely used in the general sense of \u201cadversary\u201d or \u201cenemy,\u201d which use is also found in the Greek OT (1 Kings 2:10<\/a>; Isa. 41:11<\/a>; Sir. 36:6<\/a>), since no reference to a court scene appears in this passage. 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990), 189\u2013190.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roaring Lion<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 22:13<\/a> KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n They gaped upon me with their mouths, As a ravening and a roaring lion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lions were viewed as the most ferocious and mighty beasts, and from Psalm 22:13<\/a> (probably the background here) they came to be used as figures for enemies of God\u2019s people. In the time of Nero, Christians were fed to some literal lions as well. The small, isolated Christian communities could take heart that their other spiritual siblings\u2014starting with the churches Peter knew in Rome\u2014were experiencing the same trials (1 Pet 5:9<\/a>), until the end (v. 10).1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 1 Pe 5:8\u201311<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a vivid image Peter warns the church of deadly danger. Our image of a roaring lion may come from visits to the zoo, or from the zoom lens of a television nature series. Some who received Peter\u2019s letter would have a stronger horror. They had seen human blood dripping from the chops of lions in the gory spectacles of a Roman amphitheatre. The time was approaching when Ignatius would anticipate his death in the Roman Colosseum:1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Edmund P. Clowney, The Message of 1 Peter: The Way of the Cross, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 213.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of What Your Enemy Is Up To<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Walketh about<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walketh about (?????????). Compare Job 1:7<\/a>; 2:2<\/a>. This word gave name to that sect of Greek philosophers known as Peripatetics, because they walked about while teaching or disputing. \u201cSt. Peter calls Satan the Peripatetic\u201d (Cox, on Job). The Arabs call him the Busy One. It was to Peter that Christ said, \u201cSatan hath desired to have you,\u201d etc. (Luke 22:31<\/a>).1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner\u2019s Sons, 1887), 669\u2013670.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Job 1:7<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Job 2:2<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke 22:31<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeking whom he may devour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for someone to devour describes the typical activity of the lion. That the intended victims are the Christians is clear from someone. Devour is literally \u201cswallow\u201d or \u201cdrink down,\u201d \u201ceat up\u201d; in the present context, it refers to the activity of the Devil in trying to destroy believers, particularly their faith, and lead them into apostasy, that is, to deny their faith in Jesus Christ. Implied in all these is the thought that the sufferings experienced by Christians are not simply the work of people, but are instigated by the Devil himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rarely can one translate literally looking for someone to devour, since a term which relates to \u201ceating\u201d may not suggest the process of \u201cdestroying.\u201d Therefore, one can sometimes better render looking for someone to devour as \u201clooking for someone to destroy\u201d or \u201c\u2026 to ruin.\u201d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the First Letter from Peter, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1980), 168.<\/p>\n\n\n\n __________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n The devil has a plan for your life: Doubt – To make you question God\u2019s word and His goodness; Discouragement – To make you look at your problems rather than at God; Diversion – To make the wrong things seems attractive so that you will want them more than the right things; Defeat – To make you feel like a failure so that you don\u2019t even try; Delay – To make you put off doing something so that it never gets done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So Be Sober- free from mind distractions<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be vigilant – aware and awake<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be aware – the Devil is like a lurking Lion\u2026 and he is furiously hungry\u2026 know your enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:45 PM November 25, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Know Your Enemy Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General Not From Around Here: The Complicated Life of a Sojourner \/ Satan; Spiritual Warfare \/ 1 Peter 5:8 Warren Wiersbe tells this story: Since I have no mechanical ability, I admire people who can build and repair things. During a church building program, I was watching an … Continue reading Know Your Enemy<\/span>