The Bible counsels us to be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58); steadfast in our faith when resisting the devil (1 Peter 5:9). The devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He wants us to lower the shield of faith and leave our guard down, so that his fiery darts can penetrate through (Ephesians 6:16). Jesus said that in the end days, many will turn away from the faith (Matthew 24:10) but only those who stands firm till the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). Those who will abandon their faith in the latter times will give heed to seducing spirits and to the doctrine of devils (1 Timothy 4:1) and not to the doctrine of God found in Christ, thereby losing the relationship they have with God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ (2 John 1:9-10). As the days of transgressions abound, we need to fight the good fight of faith, finishing the race, and keeping our faith (2 Timothy 4:7), laying hold onto eternal life, whereunto we are called (1 Timothy 6:12).
Points to ponder:
Let us submit ourselves to God first and resist the devil, steadfastly in the faith, holding up the shield of faith, by which we can quench the fiery darts of the devil, who seeks to devour us. Let us fight the good fight of faith, never abandoning our faith but always holding on to eternal life, whereunto we are called. Are you/I steadfast in our faith; steadfastly resisting the devil in the faith?
1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.