SPIRITUAL CONSISTENCY

1 Peter 5:8-11

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11, NIV

Every serious-minded child of God identifies with Peter's struggle for spiritual consistency. Bold to declare his allegiance to Jesus, Peter was also quick to sell out his commitment under pressure. Paul describes our dilemma: "Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me." The truth is that where the Lord works, Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Jesus announces free forgiveness, yet Satan makes us question whether we are worth saving.

When truth is declared, Satan questions the Bible's reliability. Satan is committed to derailing God's work. So we are called to "be alert and of sober mind." How? First of all, we need to learn God's truth. We must accept God's Word, take it into our hearts, and obey its commands. We must also listen to advice.

By seeking the guidance of trusted seasoned believers, we learn from the experience of others and rap into their God-given wisdom and insight: Also, we muse live im praver: We daily humble ourselves before God, confessing our sins and seeing His guidance. Satan is on the prowl. Now even the most vigilant among us are going to stub their toe once in a while because we are: human, therefore sinners, and fall short of the glory of God.

Therefore, we can take comfort in knowing that all of our brothers and sisters in Christ have similar experiences and suffer at one time or another from failure to stay on watch at all times. Even though we will all fall short at one time or another throughout our life, it is important to heed Peter's words and always try to "be sober-minded; be watchful"(L Per. 5:8, ESV).

Our next fall could be closer than we think. But we need not fear. God's grace equips us to be vigilant and coarse firm in Jesus!!!

Father, thank You for this day and waking us up and setting us on our journey through it. Lord, open the storehouses of heaven and pour our Your abundant blessings upon us and our family today. Lord, we know we are Your children but are often assaulted by the evil one. Lord, protect us from tempration and write Your truth on our hearts. Lord, make us more aware of the schemes of your enemy. Lord, we invite You to grant us the faith to resist and for the courage to place all our hope in You. Lord, use us to love others as You love them.

Father, we love You. Amen.