The first word that came from the mouth of God when we were created was the word “good!” The serpent’s words however was “you shall be like God” on Adam and Eve which still reverberates on us, Christians of today. He wants us to believe on God and be like God.... to live independently from God. It was his idea and he failed. Just as he failed, the devil’s schemes back-fired on him, that is why he wanted that man would also fail just like him. But, God had the final say just as the Apostle John said, “....friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” (1 John 3:2 The Msg).
God had the first word on us and Jesus has the final words....
6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He will promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.
8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does. (1 Peter 5:6,8 -Msg)
1- You shall be LIKE GOD:
Satan said these words “to persuade our first parents that they should, by eating of this fruit, become wise and powerful as God, (for knowledge is power), and be able to exist for ever, independently of Him.” ( Clarke’s Commentary ).
Here we see the heart of Satan.... He wants to be like God and he uses the tempting deceptions of self-will, self-sovereignty, and self-rule to replace God’s will, God's sovereignty, and God's rule with his lies.
Note that in those lies is an appeal to Adam and Eve to be like God, to be independent of God. Satan knew that if he implanted those words in their hearts, he would gain possession, position over them just what Jesus had said; “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5NIV)
SATAN USES AN APPEAL TO PERSONAL POWER AND/OR GLORY, but God wouldn’t let us go and be separated from Him! Here’s a good illustration I have read in ministry127.com illustrations, “On a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.
It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.
The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.
His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs; and then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.”
Instead of getting mad at those who try to help you do right and pull against the world, the flesh, and the devil, you should be thankful that they love you enough to not let go.” (Read: John10:28)
2- Satan is LIKE A ROARING LION
Since Satan operated always to be like God, even the Lion of Judah, he copied. Always and ever, he opposes every work of God, hence his name, diabolos... adversary
Peter used an analogy of a roaring lion roaming about seeking someone to devour as a warning for all growing Christians!
Peter said to be sober:
Here are the synonyms of the word sober to give us all a very detailed definition of this word to give us a complete picture of what sober means; “commonsense, commonsensible, commonsensical, firm, good, hard, informed, just, justified, levelheaded, logical, rational, reasonable, reasoned, sensible, solid, valid, well-founded”
Aside from being sober, there are three reasons lions roar:
*Lions roar when strange animals hunt in their territory.
Entering His Territory: Although he roam about, lions can only be confined in their territory. Do not enter his territory.... he will roar and may devour us! It’s his right to devour us.
*Lions sound a roar of triumph after they have captured their prey.
Capturing His Prey (victim):
Once we entered his territory, the chances of survival is slim. Don’t ever take a gamble in that enterprise. He will pounce you with a lightning speed only lions can do!
*Lions roar loudest when caught in a storm:
They cannot tolerate the flashing lightning or the clashing thunder.
This is what I like best. If we can maintain a closer relationship with Jesus? Then we can enter his domain. This is what Jesus told Peter; Matthew 16: 18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Perhaps, when Peter was writing his letter he remembered the words of our Lord. Only living together with fellow Christians and fellowshipping together can we defeat the schemes of Satan! (Hebrews 10:25). We have Jesus as the Head of the called out ones! Satan can not and will never can touch us. Only together can we storm the gates of hell.... his territory!
Besides, Satan is not the “real”lion...
Jesus is the Lion King! He appeared in Revelations to give us an encouragement to us who stoodfast to the faith that our Lord had started, after all He will surely finish it. Here is the story as written by Apostle John.
“There is great concern in glory because nobody was found worthy to open the scroll and lose the seven seals. When John saw what was happening, he wept because no one was worthy. But one of the elders from Heaven said to John,
"’Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and lose its seven seals."’
Our Lord is here revealed the first and only time as the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah". This (is a great prophetic statement that ties the Old Testament with the New Testament, once and for all and forever. Of all the images and roles of our coming Saviour, I like this one best. Our Lord is a roaring Lion. As the lion is king of the forest, so Jesus Is King of the earth and everything in it. Our God reigns! This prophetic revelation was begun way back in the beginning at the end of the Book of Genesis. Turn back with me to Genesis 49. And about to be fulfilled soon. Maranatha!
3- LIKE ALL THE OTHERS:
“You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever.” (The Message)
Stand. It’s only in humility and casting all our cares upon God can we remain vigilant and careful... let us always be reminded of the Beatitudes. I like it best in The Message Bible.... “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (Matthew 5:6-8)! Only in God’s care can we resist the devil and overcome. Jesus has the last word.
So, let us keep a firm grip on the faith.
Jesus alone will put us together and on our feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does. He will have us put together and on our feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does. We have to keep on trusting Him. Then and only then alone we will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. This is a godless world, and we will continue to experience difficulties. But, let us all take heart! Jesus have conquered the world. He had set an example. He begun it... we will finish triumphantly with Him!
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