Baggage Claim — Hang Ups - Monday
Today’s Verse
1 Peter 5:8-10
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (ESV)
From the beginning of time, Satan has been causing trouble for God’s people. In the garden, he deceived Adam and Eve by twisting God’s words, leading them to believe that disobedience to God would make them more like God. There were other options, he offered. Adam and Eve’s decision to listen to Satan, rather than God, caused sin to enter the world, and the world has been broken ever since.
There are so many voices you could listen to: parents, children, neighbors, friends, coworkers… Many want good for your life. But Satan’s voice shows up to offer its worst. It says give up, you’re not good enough, you won’t get this right, so why try, and the world would be a better place if you weren’t in it. Have you ever heard this? I certainly have. Satan does not have your best interest in mind; God does.
1 Peter 5:8-10 says that we should resist the devil and remain firm in our faith. After we have suffered a little while, God, who is full of grace, will strengthen us and restore us. That’s good news.We don't have to put up with Satan’s lies forever. Many years after Adam and Eve’s temptation in the Garden, Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan tried to get Jesus to follow him instead of God, but Jesus refused.
REFLECTION
You will hear lies over and over again, but Scripture offers truth. Your value, your worth, and your calling come from the Father. When you hear a lie, identify it, and seek the truth in Scripture. When temptation comes, rebuke the devil, keep the faith, and ask your Heavenly Father to restore you.