Lesson 77
Study of
First Peter Chapter 5
5:8 Call to Spiritual Alertness, so that we won't be distracted by the
anxieties of the day!
First a command to Be of sober (spirit)
- word
means to be sober, self-controlled, well balanced
This is an important concept
here so what does it mean to be sober? What's the emphsis?
1. To be sober as used by Peter is to be free of
every form of mental and spiritual drunkenness, that
is to be clear in our thinking as we evaluate the circumstances of life we
might be facing.
2. For this
to be a reality, the clear thinking, we must not be ruled by the sin nature
therefore all sin whether MAS, sin of the tongue, or overt sin must be dealt
with.
3. If we are
to be clear thinking we must be free from the intoxication of false doctrine,
the philosophical fads of the day.
4. If we are
sober, having clear thinking we will have the doctrinal frame of reference, that is the DOA's to
deal with what ever comes our way and we will be the beneficiary of divine
guidance as we utilize the divine viewpoint.
5. Some
other passages where sober/clear thinking is emphasized.
a. 1 Pet
1:13
b. 1 Pet
4:7
c. 1 Ths 5:6
d. 1 Ths 5:8
e. 2 Tim
4:5
6. An
observation: 5 of the 6 uses are in
passages where the idea is to have clear thinking, orientation to the time in which
you live, in other words ensure that your evaluating history as it unfolds in
the light of the Word of God.
Secondly we have a command to alertness: be on
the alert
By keeping one's eyes open
and alert that is having a frame of reference of the Word will give you
spiritual wisdom and discernment therefore you will be aware of reality.
The uses of grhgore,w are interesting and illuminating:
1. Matt 26:38-41 here we have exhortation to Peter
James and John
- they were exhorted to prayer and faith-rest which would
stabilize them in the crisis they were about to face
2. In Matt 24:42-44 and 25:13 and
3. It is used in Acts 20:28-31 of the P/T in his
responsibility to guard the flock from the savage wolves of the day, the false
teachers and false doctrine that will increase as we closer to the end of the
age.
4. In 1 Ths 5:6-8 we
have exhortations to both sobriety and alertness and they are used in a context
where the emphasis is being sober and alert related to the things to come, that
is to be historically oriented.
5:8b
The Purpose for being Clear thinking and alert!
Peter
gives us a vivid picture of our enemy
Your adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Peter
reminds us of 2 of Satan's characteristics that describe his function.
like a roaring lion
comparative (w`j) setting up an analogy to
portray his characteristics; he is powerful, cunning and majestic looking
5:8 Be
sober! Be Alert! Your adversary the devil prowls around seeking someone to
devour.
Observations:
1. We must remember that Satan is not omnipotent
although very powerful and that he commands a vast army of fallen angels.
2. These fallen angels or demons operate within
a highly organized system with Satan as the ultimate authority.
- Eph 2:26b he is referred to as the prince of
the power of the air
- Eph
- In 2 Cor 4:4
3. Satan and his operatives, these fallen
angels, are constantly working to neutralize DVPT in the world of which he is
the ruler. John 14:30
Rem: his focus is on the mind, the
thinking.
4. Satan also actively seeks to counter the
convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit in the thinking of unbelievers by
blinding them to the importance of the Gospel.
2 Cor 4:3-4; Matt 13:19
illustrates
5. Satan is a deceiver and a master of the big
lie. John 8:44-45
- In Rev
12:9 after detailing his names to define his objectives John summarizes with
his objective "who
deceives the whole world" this really describes his purpose of
operation; plana,w (pres act ptc) to lead astray or to deceive; to
wander away from a straight path, the truth.
6. Negative volition, that
is rejection of the Word of truth sets the believer up for delusion and
accepting false standards. 2 Tim 4:3-4
7. Satan has counterfeit doctrines which Paul
refers to as the doctrine of demons designed to spread confusion and evil. 1 Tim 4:1
8. Satan also has counterfeit clergy, false
teachers who are cleverly disguised. 2 Cor 11:3, 13-15
9. Satan and his operatives often operate behind
a mask of altruism, do goodism
and philanthropy and human rights.
10. Satan is behind and sponsors all forms of
internationalism that is one worldism,
whether religious, political or financial.