Living as Watchful Exiles
Text: 1 Pet. 5
Introduction
In The Wizard of Oz, one of the most pivotal scenes occurs near the end of the movie when the true identity of the Wizard is revealed. If you haven’t seen the film, I don’t necessarily blame you—it has a bit of a creepy vibe. That said, consider this your spoiler warning. However, since the movie was released in 1939, I think the statute of limitations on spoilers has long expired—you’ve had your chance!
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion return to Oz, bringing with them the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. The Wizard had promised that in exchange for the broomstick, he would grant Dorothy a way home, a brain for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tin Man, and courage for the Lion.
But instead of keeping his promise, the Wizard stalls, telling them to return the next day. As they plead with him, Dorothy’s dog, Toto, notices movement behind a nearby curtain. Tugging it back, Toto exposes the truth—the great and powerful Wizard is nothing more than an ordinary man operating a machine.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" the Wizard shouts in vain, but the deception is uncovered.
Evil in our world operates much the same way. It manifests in various people, places, and institutions, but behind it all is a hidden orchestrator. Peter reminds believers that behind their suffering, persecution, and trials lurks an adversary—the devil. Today, we too must recognize that Satan is at work, manipulating people and systems to wreak havoc on God's people.
Our Adversary
The devil is our adversary, waging relentless war against Christ and His people. Peter warns us:
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).
In this passage, Peter gives us several key insights into the nature of our adversary.
He is the enemy of Christ and His people. He stands against us, accusing and litigating, aiming directly at our souls. His goal is to devour God’s people. As the accuser of the brethren, his very name implies striking through, stabbing, and poisoning our souls. He seeks to sow lustful passions and murmuring—especially in times of suffering—hoping to lead believers into apostasy. Peter describes him as a roaring lion, fierce, cruel, and relentless in his pursuit of souls.
Saints, this adversary is real. Here, I want to pause for a moment and speak directly to those who struggle with enabling and codependency. The devil is the accuser of the brethren. If someone in your life is constantly accusing you, they are not receiving their marching orders from God—but from the enemy. When this happens, do not internalize false guilt and shame. As a leader, I have been accused of many things, and this truth has brought me clarity: The people of God love one another, and love covers a multitude of sins. I do not go around accusing the people of God, and I should not accept it when others do it to me.
Like a lion, the devil does not attack head-on. He crouches in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. He is subtle, deceptive, and strategic in his approach.
A prime example of his tactics is seen in his encounter with Eve. Satan’s strategy often involves two key moves:
Let’s examine how he operates. The devil utilizes three primary tactics.
1. He Questions God’s Word
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’" (Gen. 3:1).
This is Satan’s favorite question: Did God really say that? It is the seed of doubt that has led to every schism in church history. And he continues to whisper it today:
2. He Appeals to Our Lust for Secret Knowledge
"For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5).
God has given us His Word as sufficient for all things necessary for life and godliness. Yet in our flesh, we crave more. We long for hidden knowledge.
This is why many spend hours obsessing over conspiracy theories and watching endless YouTube videos, searching for explanations of the world's evils. This is why gossip is so alluring—it gives us the illusion of possessing hidden insight into another person’s life.
There’s a saying: "When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen." But it should be: "When God speaks, people listen."
God has spoken everything we need to know in His Word. Stop chasing speculation—read His Word and obey it!
3. He Promises False Blessings
Satan never tells us that sin leads to destruction. Instead, he offers counterfeit blessings.
He didn’t tell Eve, "If you eat this, your husband will follow you into rebellion, and sin will enter God’s creation." Instead, he said, "You will be like God."
Today, he makes the same deceptive promises:
But these “blessings” are actually curses.
There is a real enemy. But the good news is that we have a strategy and a playbook to resist his schemes. Let’s discuss that.
Resisting the Adversary
The people of God have been born again into a living hope. Our battle against this adversary is not hopeless. In fact, Peter outlines the strategy for overcoming the enemy’s schemes:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful… Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Pet. 5:8-9)
First, Peter calls the people of God to be sober-minded—a command he frequently repeats. The phrase literally means "be in your right mind" and "be sober." Do not be intoxicated by the world’s ideas, but rather, be clear-headed with God's truth. Avoid both the drunkenness of the senses and the drunkenness of the soul—do not let worldly concerns overwhelm or dull your spiritual awareness.
Second, Peter commands us to be watchful. Stay awake and remain alert—never letting your guard down. Our adversary is constantly on the prowl, waiting for an opportunity to strike. If he is always watching, how much more should we be?
Third, Peter tells us to resist him. Matthew Henry explains this better than I ever could:
“By no means give way to him, by indulging any sin, or yielding to any temptation, but oppose him, and stand against his wiles, his cunning and his power: steadfast in the faith; both in the doctrine of faith, which Satan endeavours to remove from, or cause to stagger in; and in the grace of faith, exercising it on the promises of God, and his perfections, particularly his power and faithfulness concerned in them, and in the blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and person of Christ, which faith is capable of making use of, as a shield, to good purpose, against all the fiery darts of Satan; as also in a profession of faith, which, as it should be held fast without wavering, and which the devil is very busy to keep persons from making, or to cause them to drop it when they have made it, by violent suggestions, strong temptations, and a flood of reproaches and persecutions; all which should be disregarded: knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world; and therefore should not be surprised and staggered by them, nor think them strange, but endure them without murmuring, and with patience and cheerfulness; since they are the "same afflictions" and trials which others have been exercised with in all ages: the same which the fraternity, or "brotherhood", as the word signifies, see 1 Peter 2:17 who stand in the same relation to God and Christ as they do, endure; yea, the same which Christ himself, who stands in this relation to them, has endured: and which must be expected while they are "in the world"; but this is the great mercy, that they are only endured in this world; there will be none in the world to come; they will be "accomplished" and finished here; and every believer has his measure, which must be filled up; and so has the whole of Christ, his church, and when they are fulfil they will be no more” (Matthew Henry).
The essential virtue for resisting the devil is humility. When we are prideful, God opposes us, and if God is opposing us, we have no power to resist the devil. Pride is the devil's playground. But when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, His grace flows abundantly, equipping us to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes.
Conclusion
As we leave here today, I don’t want anyone to fear the devil or become paranoid. Before planting this church, I struggled to find work and ended up working as a server at Olive Garden for a year. My family needed to eat, so I needed to work. But looking back, that year was one of the greatest experiences of my life. On one occasion, a brother and sister came to me, believing their house was possessed by evil spirits. They were talking to these spirits and asked me to come and pray. There were some truly creepy things happening. I agreed to go and pray, of course.
As is often the case, within a few hours, every employee in the restaurant knew about the situation. They kept approaching me with the same question: “Are you nervous about doing this?” My answer was always a resolute no. Do you know why? These verses are why:
“17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20).
Rejoice that our names are written in heaven. Don't fear the devil, but instead, rejoice in the glorious work of God!
Introduction
In The Wizard of Oz, one of the most pivotal scenes occurs near the end of the movie when the true identity of the Wizard is revealed. If you haven’t seen the film, I don’t necessarily blame you—it has a bit of a creepy vibe. That said, consider this your spoiler warning. However, since the movie was released in 1939, I think the statute of limitations on spoilers has long expired—you’ve had your chance!
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion return to Oz, bringing with them the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. The Wizard had promised that in exchange for the broomstick, he would grant Dorothy a way home, a brain for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tin Man, and courage for the Lion.
But instead of keeping his promise, the Wizard stalls, telling them to return the next day. As they plead with him, Dorothy’s dog, Toto, notices movement behind a nearby curtain. Tugging it back, Toto exposes the truth—the great and powerful Wizard is nothing more than an ordinary man operating a machine.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" the Wizard shouts in vain, but the deception is uncovered.
Evil in our world operates much the same way. It manifests in various people, places, and institutions, but behind it all is a hidden orchestrator. Peter reminds believers that behind their suffering, persecution, and trials lurks an adversary—the devil. Today, we too must recognize that Satan is at work, manipulating people and systems to wreak havoc on God's people.
Our Adversary
The devil is our adversary, waging relentless war against Christ and His people. Peter warns us:
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).
In this passage, Peter gives us several key insights into the nature of our adversary.
He is the enemy of Christ and His people. He stands against us, accusing and litigating, aiming directly at our souls. His goal is to devour God’s people. As the accuser of the brethren, his very name implies striking through, stabbing, and poisoning our souls. He seeks to sow lustful passions and murmuring—especially in times of suffering—hoping to lead believers into apostasy. Peter describes him as a roaring lion, fierce, cruel, and relentless in his pursuit of souls.
Saints, this adversary is real. Here, I want to pause for a moment and speak directly to those who struggle with enabling and codependency. The devil is the accuser of the brethren. If someone in your life is constantly accusing you, they are not receiving their marching orders from God—but from the enemy. When this happens, do not internalize false guilt and shame. As a leader, I have been accused of many things, and this truth has brought me clarity: The people of God love one another, and love covers a multitude of sins. I do not go around accusing the people of God, and I should not accept it when others do it to me.
Like a lion, the devil does not attack head-on. He crouches in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. He is subtle, deceptive, and strategic in his approach.
A prime example of his tactics is seen in his encounter with Eve. Satan’s strategy often involves two key moves:
- Corrupting those in authority—He tempts leaders to either abdicate or abuse their authority, as Adam did.
- Stirring rebellion from below—He deceives and incites those under authority, as he did with Eve.
Let’s examine how he operates. The devil utilizes three primary tactics.
1. He Questions God’s Word
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’" (Gen. 3:1).
This is Satan’s favorite question: Did God really say that? It is the seed of doubt that has led to every schism in church history. And he continues to whisper it today:
- Did God really say that the office of pastor is limited to men?
- Did God really say to exercise church discipline and remove the unrepentant?
- Did God really say not to neglect gathering with the saints?
- Did God really say that the tithe is required?
2. He Appeals to Our Lust for Secret Knowledge
"For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5).
God has given us His Word as sufficient for all things necessary for life and godliness. Yet in our flesh, we crave more. We long for hidden knowledge.
This is why many spend hours obsessing over conspiracy theories and watching endless YouTube videos, searching for explanations of the world's evils. This is why gossip is so alluring—it gives us the illusion of possessing hidden insight into another person’s life.
There’s a saying: "When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen." But it should be: "When God speaks, people listen."
God has spoken everything we need to know in His Word. Stop chasing speculation—read His Word and obey it!
3. He Promises False Blessings
Satan never tells us that sin leads to destruction. Instead, he offers counterfeit blessings.
He didn’t tell Eve, "If you eat this, your husband will follow you into rebellion, and sin will enter God’s creation." Instead, he said, "You will be like God."
Today, he makes the same deceptive promises:
- To those embracing an LGBTQ+ lifestyle, he promises happiness in being their “true selves.”
- To those chasing wealth, he promises security and self-sufficiency.
- To those harboring bitterness, he promises the illusion of justice.
But these “blessings” are actually curses.
There is a real enemy. But the good news is that we have a strategy and a playbook to resist his schemes. Let’s discuss that.
Resisting the Adversary
The people of God have been born again into a living hope. Our battle against this adversary is not hopeless. In fact, Peter outlines the strategy for overcoming the enemy’s schemes:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful… Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Pet. 5:8-9)
First, Peter calls the people of God to be sober-minded—a command he frequently repeats. The phrase literally means "be in your right mind" and "be sober." Do not be intoxicated by the world’s ideas, but rather, be clear-headed with God's truth. Avoid both the drunkenness of the senses and the drunkenness of the soul—do not let worldly concerns overwhelm or dull your spiritual awareness.
Second, Peter commands us to be watchful. Stay awake and remain alert—never letting your guard down. Our adversary is constantly on the prowl, waiting for an opportunity to strike. If he is always watching, how much more should we be?
Third, Peter tells us to resist him. Matthew Henry explains this better than I ever could:
“By no means give way to him, by indulging any sin, or yielding to any temptation, but oppose him, and stand against his wiles, his cunning and his power: steadfast in the faith; both in the doctrine of faith, which Satan endeavours to remove from, or cause to stagger in; and in the grace of faith, exercising it on the promises of God, and his perfections, particularly his power and faithfulness concerned in them, and in the blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and person of Christ, which faith is capable of making use of, as a shield, to good purpose, against all the fiery darts of Satan; as also in a profession of faith, which, as it should be held fast without wavering, and which the devil is very busy to keep persons from making, or to cause them to drop it when they have made it, by violent suggestions, strong temptations, and a flood of reproaches and persecutions; all which should be disregarded: knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world; and therefore should not be surprised and staggered by them, nor think them strange, but endure them without murmuring, and with patience and cheerfulness; since they are the "same afflictions" and trials which others have been exercised with in all ages: the same which the fraternity, or "brotherhood", as the word signifies, see 1 Peter 2:17 who stand in the same relation to God and Christ as they do, endure; yea, the same which Christ himself, who stands in this relation to them, has endured: and which must be expected while they are "in the world"; but this is the great mercy, that they are only endured in this world; there will be none in the world to come; they will be "accomplished" and finished here; and every believer has his measure, which must be filled up; and so has the whole of Christ, his church, and when they are fulfil they will be no more” (Matthew Henry).
The essential virtue for resisting the devil is humility. When we are prideful, God opposes us, and if God is opposing us, we have no power to resist the devil. Pride is the devil's playground. But when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, His grace flows abundantly, equipping us to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes.
Conclusion
As we leave here today, I don’t want anyone to fear the devil or become paranoid. Before planting this church, I struggled to find work and ended up working as a server at Olive Garden for a year. My family needed to eat, so I needed to work. But looking back, that year was one of the greatest experiences of my life. On one occasion, a brother and sister came to me, believing their house was possessed by evil spirits. They were talking to these spirits and asked me to come and pray. There were some truly creepy things happening. I agreed to go and pray, of course.
As is often the case, within a few hours, every employee in the restaurant knew about the situation. They kept approaching me with the same question: “Are you nervous about doing this?” My answer was always a resolute no. Do you know why? These verses are why:
“17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20).
Rejoice that our names are written in heaven. Don't fear the devil, but instead, rejoice in the glorious work of God!
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