HOW TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL
Real Hope In Real Times Part 21

Text - 1 Peter 5:8-9

Introduction

I’d like to thank the Drama Ministry and Amanda Ayers for their presentation.  How many of you have ever faced the same kind of dilemma that was presented in this skit?  Sure!  All of us have.  Most of the time it isn’t hard trying to understand what’s the right thing to do, it’s trying to do the right thing that is hard.  The problem is that the Devil is always trying to get us not to do the right thing.  So, tonight I’d like us to look at how you can defeat the devil.

Our text is found in 1 Peter 5:8-9 where we find Peter speaking to us about something he had personally experienced.

Luke 22:31  Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  (NIV)

Not long after this Peter went on to deny Jesus three different times.  So God let Satan go after Peter.  He put Peter in a terribly compromising situation that shattered his spiritual commitment to the point that he denied Jesus Christ.

(Turn To)  Luke 22:32  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.  (NIV)

God let all this happen to Peter so that he might come out stronger and could go on to strengthen us today and show us how to win the victory over the devil.  So tonight I’d like us to look at 4 Keys For Spiritual Victory that are found in these two verses.

(Everyone Read)  1 Peter 5:8-9  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  (NIV)

A pastor finished reading the text for his sermon:  "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour," and then made the morning announcements.  He said, "I will be going out visiting Thursday night.  Please come and go with me."

Let's look now and learn, how to defeat the devil.