1. In this letter, the apostle Peter: a. wrote to Christians who were facing a fiery trial (1:6-7; 4:12) b. addressed various responsibilities that God has given to His people c. showed how God's people must fulfill these responsibilities, even while suffering persecution from unbelievers d. emphasized the Lord's example of suffering as a result of doing the Father's will. 2. This lesson is an additional study of the information presented in 1 Peter 5:6-9. 3. In vs.6-7 Peter wrote about God's nature and our responsibilities toward Him. a. Concerning God's nature, Peter said: "He careth for you." b. Concerning our responsibilities toward God, we are to: 1) humble ourselves under His mighty hand 2) cast all our care upon Him. 4. In vs.8-9 Peter wrote about the devil's nature and our responsibilities toward him. a. Concerning the devil's nature, Peter said that: 1) he is our adversary 2) he constantly looks for victims to devour. b. Concerning our responsibilities toward the devil, we are to: 1) be on guard against him 2) resist him steadfastly in the faith. c. As Peter wrote, perhaps he remembered the Lord's words in Luke 22:31-32. 5. To resist the devil, we need to know what the Bible teaches about him. 6. We are pointing out from the Scriptures: a. some of the devil's characteristics b. how his characteristics are illustrated in his dealings with 4 individuals. Discussion: I. FIRST, THE DEVIL IS A LIAR
A. Jesus identified Satan as a liar in John 8:44. B. To illustrate how Satan is a liar, he lied to Eve in Genesis 3:1-5. C. Eve listened to his lie and did not resist him (Genesis 3:6). II. SECOND, THE DEVIL IS AN ACCUSER
A. Satan is identified as an accuser in Revelation 12:9-10. B. To illustrate how Satan is an accuser, he accused Job twice (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6). C. Satan caused Job to suffer greatly, but Job resisted Satan's efforts to get him to curse God. III. THIRD, THE DEVIL IS THE TEMPTER
A. Satan is identified as the tempter in 1 Thessalonians 3:5. B. To illustrate how Satan is the tempter, he tempted Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. C. Jesus showed how Satan is to be resisted (Psalm 119:11; James 4:7). IV. FOURTH, THE DEVIL IS A DECEIVER
A. Satan is identified as a deceiver in Revelation 12:9. B. To illustrate how Satan is a deceiver, he worked through a sorcerer named Elymas to try to turn Sergius Paulus from the faith (Acts 13:6-8). C. Thankfully, the devil was resisted (Acts 13:9-12). Conclusion:
1. The Bible teaches in: a. Ephesians 6:11 that we are "to stand against the wiles of the devil" b. 2 Corinthians 2:11 that "we are not ignorant of his devices." 2. As our adversary, the devil is a liar, an accuser, the tempter, and a deceiver. 3. Let us be on guard against the devil and resist him steadfastly in the faith. 4. Let us also humble ourselves under God's mighty hand and cast all our care upon Him because He cares for us.
