13th June 2025

The Foe

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil

walks about like a roaring lion,

seeking whom he may devour.  

 1 Peter 5:8

Today's Bible Reading:  Luke 8:1-15.

In Luke 8, Jesus explained the parable of the seed and the sower, saying, “The seed is the word of God … then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts” (vv. 11–12). The same Bible that reveals God’s love also warns us about a real enemy—the devil—who seeks to separate us from God. He is a master deceiver, always at work to make us question God and His Word. One of his most effective tactics is persuading people to ignore or reject the truth.

The devil is not a myth or a cartoon figure—he is a powerful adversary bent on undermining the Christian’s walk with Christ. He knows that every believer is a threat to his kingdom. Just as he tried to tempt and defeat Jesus, he now targets Christ’s followers. As the commander of evil forces, he relentlessly opposes those aligned with Christ and His righteousness.

Scripture clearly teaches that Satan and his forces are real. He harasses, tempts, accuses, deceives, and lies, often working through the world and the flesh to hinder God's people. Called “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), he uses worldliness to disrupt the advance of righteousness.

Yet the Bible also assures us that Satan can be defeated. When we are filled with the Spirit and grounded in God’s Word, we stand strong. James 4:7 says, “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Prayer:  Lord God, keep me mindful of the cross and the Lord Jesus and His work for me. Help to resist Satan and make him flee from me. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.