Peter writes, ‘Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith’ (vv. 8-9 NLT). The word Christ means ‘the Anointed One’. So as a Christian, you are anointed by the same Spirit that rested upon Christ. Satan tempted Christ, and he will tempt you. Satan targeted Christ because he feared His destiny; likewise, Satan has discerned your destiny, and he’s out to stop you from reaching it. When he reminds you of the failures in your past, it’s to discourage you and keep you from reaching for the future God has in mind for you. Paul wrote, ‘He chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan’ (Ephesians 1:11 NLT). This means God has chosen you to fulfil a certain purpose, He has a specific plan for your life, and He is making everything work according to that plan. Satan also knows this, and that’s why his attack against you will never let up. C.S. Lewis said, ‘There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God, and counter-claimed by Satan.’ There is no middle ground. It is only a matter of time before you must join one side or another. And it is preferable to predetermine your position with a decisive intention than have it selected for you by passive default. So each day, when you awake, dress for battle and prepare for attack knowing that in God’s strength you will win.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.