1 Peter 5:9

1 Peter 5:9 ‘But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.'

‘But resist him' -resist, oppose. 1. The devil can be resisted! He isn't an all-powerful foe (James 4:7). 2. ‘this means that no man has to serve satan; that every man as. free moral agent can choose his master.' (Plain Talk 12/8/3). 3. The devil needs our permission before he can devour us (Ephesians 4:27). 4. The devil's power lies in the persuasive lies and myths which he spreads (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 John 2:16; Genesis 3:4; Matthew 4:3).

‘firm in your faith' -‘Firm'-(1 Corinthians 15:58). 1. Firm in reference to one's trust in God and in whatever God has said (Colossians 1:23). ‘signifies that defeat is not inevitable. Christians must resist, expecting that the enemy will flee, God's kingdom will advance, they will grow in faith and holiness through conflict..' (Grudem p. 197) 2. ‘indicates rock-like stability,. solidity and firmness originating in faith..' (Woods p. 130) 3. ‘your faith'-To be of any benefit, we must have our own faith-and not. second hand or borrowed faith. Only personal conviction can resist the advances of the devil.(Ephesians 6:16)'

‘knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world' -‘One thing that will make their commitment firmer is the awareness that they are not suffering alone. It is not “just me” who is suffering or even “just us”, laments that make the suffering seem unfair and unjust.' (Davids pp. 192-193) (1 Corinthians 10:13) ‘Like soldiers whose morale is strengthened by knowing that the whole army is engaged in the same battle-hardships they are in..' (Davids p. 193)