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The other day I came across a
bizarre book that caught my eye, and its title really got my attention, All Men Are My Enemy. This book was a
compilation of drawings of “demonic” looking creatures. Living in a culture
obsessed with vampires, werewolves, and zombies, this book dovetails well
within the genre of ghoulish books for sale.
The title me made cringe and
sent chills down my spine because it reminded me of the truth that Lucifer, (Isa
14:12) our spiritual arch-enemy, hates not only God and His angels but every
human being in the past, present, and future, even those who call him
lord. All men are his enemy but
especially those associated with Christ. Those who serve Satan will wind up in
the lake of fire right along with him! His sole purpose is “the ruin of men” (Robertson’s Word Pictures). Compare Lk
22:31.
It is interesting that our
passage for today is found in a historical setting of Christian dispersion and persecution
in the Roman Empire. It reminds us of the real source behind the persecution
that energizes the world system against born again believers (Eph 6:12), the
“adversary” (Gk, antidikos, an
opponent in a lawsuit). The identity of this adversary is none other than
the "devil," which means “slanderer” (Gk, diabolos, false accuser) who is maliciously maligning believers
relentlessly (cf. Rev 12:10).
Satan comes after us in
different forms, such as a subtle serpent (Gen 3:1), an angel of light (2 Cor
11:14), and here as a roaring lion. All of his transformations are meant to
tempt with evil, point the finger, persecute, discourage, confuse, divide, lose
faith, and destroy. He is after all, "Apollyon" (Rev 9:11), the
destroyer, with thousands of years of experience “under his belt.” He is
up to no good for there is no good in him! The over-arching truth concerning
Satan is that he represents everything
God is not.
In light of this we are to be
“sober-minded; be watchful.” Because God is sovereign and knowing that nothing
can enter our lives without His approval is not a license to live life
carelessly or having a cavalier attitude that “the devil can’t get to me”
because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (cf. 1 Cor
10:12)! Satan is indeed powerful (cf. 1 Jn 5:19; Jude 1:9; "god of this
age," 2 Cor 4:4; "prince of the power of the air," Eph 2:2;
"ruler of the demons," Mt 9:34; "ruler of this world," Jn
12:31) and a persistent foe but does not have the attribute of being omnipotent
or all powerful as Yahweh, his Creator. It is imperative that we put on the
whole armor of God on a daily basis (Eph 6:13) because Satanic attacks (allowed
by God) will never subside or desist this side of eternity.
Tradition holds that even Peter
probably was martyred in Rome not long after writing Second Peter (2 Pet 1:14-15).
There is a malevolent force out there prowling around looking to swallow up any
believer whole (“devour”). It sounds like one of those sci-fi novels or movies, doesn’t
it? Calvary was no joke or myth; it was an unparalleled historical event with
eternal consequences weighing in the balance – our salvation and a way to fight
and defend ourselves against our spiritual foe.
The devil cannot make us do anything; he can help us along with a devilish
persuasiveness in making bad choices if we are so inclined and throw a world of
hurt our way, but again, not without permission! Our instruction from the Holy
Spirit through Peter is to “resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Pet 5:9a, ESV).
In other words live according to the truth of Scripture regardless of the
circumstances of life (cf. Eph 6:17). Not the answer we were looking for?
We should not be discouraged
thinking that we are being singled out for some reason; all believers are under
attack by the devil or his demons in one way or another – “knowing that the
same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout
the world” (1 Pet 5:9b; cf. 1 Cor 10:13).
Without a doubt, Satan is
public enemy #1, the enemy of the spiritual state. The color-coded terrorism
threat will always be red for the believer – a
severe risk of terrorist [Satan and his demons] attacks. “Stay alert! Watch out
for your great enemy, the devil” (1 Pet 5:8a, NLT). "All
who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Tim
3:12). Living ungodly, by the way, will not avoid attacks by the enemy (1 Pet
3:17). Satan already knows who belongs to him and who doesn’t! <><
